To the sounds of flute music and poetry, the book launch evening for Motrat Qiriazi: An Association for Education and Civil Resistance in Kosovo took place on 2 March 2026, marking simultaneously the 80th birthday of actress and activist Safete Rogova, as well as the 36th anniversary of the founding of the Motrat Qiriazi Association.

The book, published by Buzuku Publishing House and written by Nicole Farnsworth, presents for the first time the testimonies of activists who worked with the Motrat Qiriazi Association since 1989, at a time when Slobodan Milošević’s regime systematically suppressed Albanian education and culture in Kosovo.

Founded by Safete Rogova and Igballe Rogova, the Motrat Qiriazi Association played a key role in educating and empowering women during the 1990s. At a time when Albanian-language books were considered “illegal”, activists opened secret libraries and organised schools and literacy courses, providing over 6,000 women, particularly in rural areas, with access to education.

The Motrat Qiriazi Association has played an extremely important role in Kosovo. It carried forward the spirit of sisters Parashqevi and Sevasti Qiriazi, promoting knowledge and education and empowering girls and women in the most vulnerable areas across Kosovo, especially in Has, during extremely difficult periods, including the displacement of women at the onset of Serbian terror in Kosovo. Even in the harshest circumstances Kosovo faced, they continued their work, assisting people in need in overcrowded camps in Bllace, Stankovec, Çegran, Kukës and across Albanian territories hosting war refugees.

The book launch was held in a venue with special symbolism – during the 1990s, Hani i 2 Robertëve served as a meeting place for Kosovo’s parallel cultural and political life. Renowned actresses Igballe Qena, Kumrije Hoxha and Drita Begolli read excerpts from the book, bringing to life touching stories of courage, resilience and the quiet power of education.

The evening was opened by President Atifete Jahjaga, who in the past has awarded the Motrat Qiriazi with presidential medals for their contributions to education, culture and the affirmation of Kosovo’s cause.

“If, many decades ago, someone had said that a book would be written about the heritage of the Motrat Qiriazi, no one would have believed it. But today we are here thanks to the path they paved”, Jahjaga said, emphasising the importance of solidarity among women.

“Allow me to wish Safete a heartfelt happy birthday”, continued Ms. Albulena Haxhiu, Speaker of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo. “The girls of Kosovo, including myself, are fortunate to have women like Safete, like Igo, like President Jahjaga, and so many activists whom I see here today after such a long time”, she added.

“When we speak, and even dream, of national unity, in fact, through the activism of the Motrat Qiriazi, that unity has already been happening naturally for a long time”, longtime friend Ms. Delina Fico, an activist, began her speech, reflecting on the current situation in which we live – surrounded by wars and hatred towards each other, migrants, other races and different religions. She recalled that even when the authorities of the time cut off their means of living, activists continued working to support women and girls, particularly those unable to raise their voices.

“Today I want to pause and honour one of the main actors. I want to honour a beautiful human being in the broadest sense, Ms, Safete Rogova, co-founder of the Motrat Qiriazi alongside her dear Igo and Nuredin Loxha. After meeting Safete, what inspired me most was her ability to weave love for the family she came from and for the family she created… All the fieldwork with women and girls, opening their eyes and giving them freedom”, added Ms. Fico.

Meanwhile, Ms. Vjosa Dobruna, an unstoppable activist and member of the KWN Board, emphasised that the progress of women today in public and institutional life is the result of women’s activism in the 1990s.

“You, Motrat Qiriazi, are as great as the name you bear. The women of Kosovo have known how to identify challenges even when unnoticed. They have built policies by empowering women, seeing them as societal actors. We have women in positions – Speakers, Presidents, successful women in culture, great artists – but all of this is not thanks to institutions, which barely existed back then, but thanks to women’s activism”, Ms. Dobruna said.

In a continuation of appreciative words for their extraordinary work and activism, the author of the book, Ms. Nicole Farnsworth, Deputy Director and Lead Researcher at KWN, gave her remarks:

“This is their story. I have simply heard many inspiring stories and done what I could to share their extraordinary work with others, hoping it will inspire other women and men, as it has inspired me”, she said.

To close the evening warmly, Ms. Safete Rogova took the stage. She expressed her gratitude to the activists of Krusha e Vogël, the activists of Mitrovica, and all those present at this special launch, highlighting their role in honouring the heritage of the Motrat Qiriazi Association.

“Thank you all. Our contribution has been modest. We have been inspired by the Motrat Qiriazi since the opening of the first Albanian schools, where their motto was ‘I will work for the motherland, then complete my life’. I think I’ve reached 80, but I’m not planning to rest. I will continue together with you, Igo, and all the other activists”, she concluded with much emotion.

The book Motrat Qiriazi documents an important period in Kosovo’s history and the role of women in education, civil resistance and societal development, highlighting a significant chapter of 1990s activism.