YOU HAVE MADE IT TO A QUARTER OF A CENTURY!

The 25th International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL)  Conference in Budapest  (9-11 October 2015)

Author: Fazli Rrezja

Due to the support of the Regional English Language Office (R.E.L.O.) based in Hungary, I was able to attend the 25th International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL) Conference in Budapest. Attending this conference, entitled “Looking Forward, Looking Back”, was a great experience. The journey to Budapest from Prishtina is only 896.6 km, but it took me a whole day to get there by plane! After having landed in Budapest at 20:30, I was tired, but that feeling soon turned to happiness when I received a message from Nora Tartsay, the President of IATEFL Hungary, inviting me to join several other presenters for dinner at Café Vian Gozsdu. Located in the former Jewish district, the Gozsdu passage is a beautiful area, full of cafes and young people. So, my exhausting day of travel ended with drink and conversation with English teachers from different countries.

IATEFL Hungary- Organizing Committee

 ‘Grow strong, grow together’

IATEFL-Hungary hosted a very successful and resourceful ELT conference. The location was pleasant, the people were kind, and the presentations were excellent. The Conference organizers and student volunteers were always busy and active, working to make the conference run smoothly. As one member of the Conference’s Organizing Committee stated, “We help our members with their professional career. We build our community and we plant trees; hopefully we’ll grow strong and grow together.”

Fruitful presentations, plenary talks, and panel discussions

 Nearly one hundred presentations, plenary talks, and panel discussions were offered at the conference, so it was impossible to attend all of them. However, I will try to summarize the sessions that I was able to attend and share about the things that impressed me the most. Enik Csomay, Professor of Linguistics at San Diego State University, spoke at the opening plenary. She talked about lexical verbs in English and illustrated how teachers and students can benefit from using a large body of texts to answer questions about grammar and vocabulary. Hearing from experienced teachers is always helpful, so I went to the Gólyavár building next, to take part in a teacher training panel discussion on the past and the future of teacher training. Giving personal opinions, each panelist evaluated the current situation and considered options for the future. In the afternoon, Alan Maley, former IATEFL president, reflected on the topic “The Eternal Triangle—Past, Future and Present.” He reviewed major developments that have occurred in English Language teaching since 1960. He explained that an historical perspective is useful and placed emphasis on Danish philosopher Kierkegaard’s quote that “Life must be lived forward but can be only understood backward.” Another motivating presentation came from Adelina Holmes, whose session was titled “Mirror, Mirror: The Impact of Culture on Reflective Practices.” She showed examples of how the cultural background of a teacher or student can affect their responses to reflective practices. It is also worth mentioning Ádám Ná- dasdy’s plenary talk “Phonetic transcription—curse or blessing?” He pointed out some cases where distortion is scientifically justified and noted recent developments and innovations in representing English pronunciation in dictionaries. Two other useful sessions that day included “Teaching with TED Talks: Creating your Own Lesson with TED Ed” (ed. ted.com), presented by Margarita Kasior and Dimitris Tzouris, and “Conducting an EFL Mobile App development event”, in which Nora Tartsay and the Croatian team shared their experiences through an interactive talk. “Getting older…getting wiser”, by Jane Revell, was closing plenary. She made us think and laugh, and she gave us many ideas to take back home and use, both inside and outside the classroom. In addition to attending various sessions, I was pleased to be able to present, together with Timea Tiboldi, an English Language Teacher from Eötvös Loránd University, and George Chinnery, the Regional English Language Officer with the U.S. Embassy in Budapest. Our presentation aimed to share experiences from two aspects—that of English language and Journalism—and about a blended pilot course called “English for Journalists.” From July 2014-2015, this course was developed in Budapest by R.E.L.O., the U.S. Embassy, and Voice of America, with support from the coordinator, Professor Maggie Sokolik, at the University of California, Berkley. This project involved ten course developers, from different European countries (Belarus, Bosnia, Hungary, Kosovo, Latvia, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Ukraine), who worked together to develop and implement the course for ten weeks. Students enhanced their knowledge about English language skills through Journalism and increased their knowledge about Journalism skills through English language. At the end of the course, one exceptional student from each country (including one from Kosovo) was offered a fully funded, two-week internship at Voice of America in Washington, D.C., in Fall/Winter 2015.

Budapest, Hungary

A truly vibrant atmosphere

For three days, this wonderful conference also contained an exhibition area where teachers could check out the latest ELT publications. There was a Nostalgia Room where participants who had never been involved in IATEFL activities could find out about past activities. The conference was full of raffle prizes, too, including a trip to Palma De Mallorca for the CITA Conference, two places for SOL teacher training course, attendance at a training course in Malta, and many more. Social events always bring joy and rhythm, and the Conference’s Steering Committee deserved a standing ovation for a surprising performance with their comedy show. Delicious pizza was offered by R.E.L.O. There was the Silver Amazing Jubilee Party where English teachers danced at the Könyvtár Klub, a club where books were hanging from the ceiling. The conference was filled with a truly vibrant atmosphere, and I am so grateful to have met wonderful English teachers from different countries: Beate, Agnieszka, Beatrix, Ilona, Zita, Marcin, Zsuzsa, Yeo, and so many others! Attending the conference provided me with a welcome distraction from the routine of everyday work, and the experience sparked motivation within me to bring new ideas into my English teaching world.  

Thrice I have traveled to the beautiful city of Budapest, known as the “Pearl of Danube”, on study visits, and I tremendously enjoyed visiting places like Castle Hill, the Opera House and the National Gallery, the Baths, Ruin Pubs, the Jewish Quarter, etc. This trip, as a presenter in IATEFL, was just as enjoyable, if not more so, and I would strongly recommend every English teacher consider this Conference as a must-do for their professional development in ELT world.

5,000 dresses transform Prishtina stadium into a powerful exhibition

On the 16th anniversary of the end of the Kosovo War, a powerful exhibition-‘Thinking of You’ is bringing tribute to survivors of wartime sexual violence. A conceptual artist Alketa Xhafa-Mripa has made a Prishtina city stadium into a powerful art exhibition, with thousands of dresses hung on in washing lines. 

Prishtina City Stadium 

“I want those thousands of dresses to hit you with the reality of what happened and I want people to talk about it. The installation can be grasped by anyone, no matter what language they speak,” said Kosovo born- British artist Mrs Xhafa-Mripa. 

Thousands of women were raped by Serbian police, military and paramilitaries during the 1999 Kosovo war as Albanian UCK Fighters fought against the Yugoslav regime led by Dictator Slobodan Milosevic.

“I started questioning the silence, how we could not hear their voices during and after the war and thought about how to portray the women in contemporary art,” said Xhafa-Mripa.    

Among those who donated dresses for this exhibition are the world popstar Rita Ora, Tony Blair's wife Cherie Blair, famous American/Albanian actress Eliza Dushku, Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga etc

Ëndërr brenda ëndrrës / A dream within a dream

Ëndërr brenda ëndrrës

Këtë puthje time merre në ballë!

dhe duke u ndarë nga ti,

lejome që të të them

që nuk gabon nëse mendon

që ditet e mia ishin një endërr,

dhe nëse shpresa fluturoi larg

në një natë apo në një ditë,

në një vegim apo hiq gjë,

a është për këtë me pak e zhdukur

Gjithçka që shohim, ajo çfarë ngjajmë

nuk është tjetër veç se një ëndërr brenda ëndrrës.

Qëndroj në mes së ushëtimës

të një bregu të munduar nga perplasja e dallgës,

dhe shtrëngoj në njerën dorë

kokrra të arta rëre

vetëm disa! E sesi rreshqasin,

nëpërmes gishterinjëve të mi, bien në thellësi!

dhe une qaj – unë qaj!

O Zot! A nuk mund i mbaj

më një të shtrenguar më të fortë?

O Zot! A do mundem ndonjeherë ta shpëtoj

të paktën një, nga e pameshirshmja dallgë?

gjithçka që shohim, ajo çfarë ngjajmë

nuk është tjetër veç së një endërr brenda ëndrrës?

A dream within a dream

Take this kiss upon the brow!

And, in parting from you now,

Thus much let me avow —

You are not wrong, who deem

That my days have been a dream;

Yet if hope has flown away

In a night, or in a day,

In a vision, or in none,

Is it therefore the less gone?

All that we see or seem

Is but a dream within a dream.

I stand amid the roar

Of a surf-tormented shore,

And I hold within my hand

Grains of the golden sand —

How few! yet how they creep

Through my fingers to the deep,

While I weep — while I weep!

O God! Can I not grasp

Them with a tighter clasp?

O God! can I not save

One from the pitiless wave?

Is all that we see or seem

But a dream within a dream?

------------------------------------- 
Poezi e Shkrimtarit amerikan Edgar Allan Poe e përkthyer nga Fazli Rrezja  12/07 2010.

Jorge Luis Borges (Instants)

 

 Çastet 

Nëse do mundja ta jetoja përsëri jetën time

në  tjetrën, do përpiqesha të bëja më shumë gabime.

nuk do tentoja  të isha kaq i përsosur,

do të isha relaksuar me shumë.

do të isha më i marrë seç kam qenë

në fakt, do merrja pak gjëra me seriozitet .

do të isha më pak higjienik.

do rrezikoja më shumë.

do shkoja në pushime  më gjatë.

do sodisja më shumë perëndime të diellit

do ngjitesha në male më shumë, do notoja në shumë lumenj

do të shkoja në vende që s’i kam bredhur kurrë

do të haja më shumë akullore e më pak bizele

do të kisha më shumë probleme reale, e më pak të imagjinuara

Kam qenë nga njerëzit që kanë jetuar  me kuptim e begati

në secilin minutë të jetës së tij;

Sigurisht, kam pasur edhe momente gëzimi.

Por sikur të mundja të kthehesha prapa,

Do të  shijoja vetëm momentet e mira

Sepse  nëse nuk e dini, vetëm prej çasteve përbëhet jeta,

 mos humb çastet e ditës së sotme.

Unë kam qenë një prej atyre që kurrë

nuk shkuan ndokund pa termometer,

pa shishe me ujë të ngrohtë,

ombrellë e parashutë.

Po të jetoja përsëri do udhëtoja më lehtë

Sikur të jetoja sërish.

do ecja këmbëzbathur nga pranvera

deri në fund të vjeshtës.

do luaja më shumë nëpër karusele

do sodisja më shumë agime mëngjesi ,

e luaja më shumë me fëmijë,

sikur të kisha një tjetër jetë para meje

.

Por siç e shihni, jam 85 vjeç

dhe e di që jam në buzë të varrit.

------------------

Poezia ‘Instants’ e shkrimtarit  argjentinas Jorge Luis Borges përkthyer nga Fazli Rrezja

 

Freedom and accountability of the media in the emerging democracies

Media’s role is to develop democracy, while stimulating politic interests of citizens and providing the information for citizens in order to held the government responsible for any malfunction in state system that acclaim to be in the service of the society.

by Fazli Rrezja   (Published on 01/06/2007)

Free media in democracy acts on behalf of citizens need and education that can be called also as the “guardian of democracy”.  Media plays a great role and has a deep influence in societies which are passing through emerging democracies, especially in newly emerging democratic societies where the legacies of oppression, hatred, pain, xenophobia, religious justification for war, are applied.   

      Photo source: The Guardian 

Free Media is supposed to serve in favor of process of democracy on different communities within one certain society, must constantly act to promote diversity, political tolerance, the rights and welfare of citizens, factual reality and not to develop mistrust, rivalries, hatred and misuse information like in wars in Rwanda and former Yugoslavia, where media reflected in favor of conflict and violence.

 Where markets are imperfect, increased freedom of speech will be tend to exacerbate nationalist mythmaking unless institutions and norms correct the flaws in the market

The well-institutionalized market place of ideas requires anti-trust and equal time regulation guaranteeing media access, the training of journalist in the verification of sources and the separation of fact from opinion.

Without such regulatory institutions, free speech by itself will not guarantee that a range of voices is effectively heard, that competing arguments are forced to confront each other on the merits that participants are held accountable for the accuracy of their statements, that factual claims are scrutinized, that experts’ credentials are verified, that hidden source of bias are exposed, or that violators of the norms of fair debate are held up to public censure[1]      

Free speech and media is not absolute. All law systems tolerate to a certain point the code of ethics in order to protect several state, collective and individual interests.     

In emerging democracies media often is exposed toward the threat imposed by different interest groups and that’s why its role is mixed and often losses the path of impartial and balance reporting.

Narrative liberal theory of a free press offers a coherent view of the different ways in which increasingly free media strengthened the democratic process, in which, the media extended the political nation by making information about public affairs more widely available and promoting a culture of democracy. The media also empowered the people by subjecting authority to critical scrutiny and representing public opinion to government, so media enhanced the functioning in emerging democracies by encouraging constructive and reciprocal communication between different groups in society.     

Discussion of the media’s democratic role is intimately bound up with the debate about the media’s organization and regulation[2]  the principal role of the media, according to traditional liberal theory, is to act as a check on the state. So, the media should monitor the full range of state activity, and fearlessly expose abuses of official authority.     

 But, often media reporting in emerging democracies countries where the situation is fragile, reports are in a risk of losing the track of responsibility or accountability while going beyond the freedom, identity and integrity. And that’s one of the reasons why they apply the code of ethics and regulations imposed by different organizations and states  

Codes serve three basic functions. First, they outline the conditions of journalist’s accountability to the state, the public, their employers, their sources and to their profession. Second, most codes in Europe and the USA are voluntary so they act as a way of making the press appear responsible. Finally, codes are important in protecting the freedom, integrity and identity of journalists[3]  

In Kosova, after war period, the special representative of Secretary- General ordered the establishment of Temporary Media Commission (TMC) in 2000[4], to manage the frequency spectrum, establish broadcast and press codes of practice, an act as a result to help in improving reporting while the print and broadcast media in both languages were prone to issue threats of violence against groups and individuals, spread disinformation and inciting the violence.

Journalism remained a risky profession with sporadic acts of violence against both ethnic Serb and Albanian journalists reported throughout the province’[5]

 Good reporting of media is when it develops trust and respect between different cultures through the spirit of good reporting that helps in improving the democracy in certain emerging societies while it provides the assistance in foundations for political and economical order and stability.    

A role of a journalist or a reporter has a high importance in a country that is in transition and where the democracy is fragile. He/ she must access the spot of event, get the facts straight and tell the truth.

One of the main functions of the media in promoting democratization and good governance in emerging countries is to help in creation of an effective system of information where citizens can act freely in order to receive true economical, law, political and all spheres of information.

Besides, the other key factor of media in emerging countries is to monitor the function of political and social institutions in order to engage the trust or doubt of citizens in their state. Without the sufficient trust, citizens will withdraw from participation in the political processes, or even can be riot taking part into a conflict that will excavate deeper the turmoil situation in their country. Conflicts are often developed because of the disappointment of citizens on their economical welfare. Government legitimation often fades regarding to citizens losing their trust in government effective function. Jurgen Habermas has developed the theory on “legitimation Crisis”, in which people expect from their government to interfere in economy in order to provide economical welfare, if not, the legitimation of government is on doubt[6] . Most of countries that face emerging democracy also have instable economy that tackles the pulse of media and citizens.

No journalist can be completely objective. Journalists like everyone, carry the values of their own country, their religion and their own ethnic group. That is why professional journalist has standards for accuracy, impartiality and responsibility to remove our personal values and bias.[7]

Media manipulation often plays a central role in promoting nationalist and ethnic conflict, but we argue that promoting unconditional freedom of public debate in newly democratizing societies is, in many circumstances likely to make the problem worse. Historically and today, from French Revolution to Rwanda, sudden liberalization of press freedom have been associated with bloody outbursts of popular nationalism[8]       

Whenever there is a conflict there is a reason of its origin and development, and a good reporter is one who should be there to find out impartially information and be objective in his reporting. Professional journalists do not set out to reduce conflict. They seek to present accurate and impartial news. But, it is often through good reporting that conflict is reduced[9]

Media in certain situations can be a danger tool to deal with, even if journalists follow the right direction not bias and so on but on the other side there are groups who think differently and the subjectivity becomes something both sides of a medal.

Newspaper and broadcast journalism can be a dangerous profession as evidenced by the numbers of journalists and crew who are killed or injured each year in the desire to be at the scene of the action and gain dramatic stories for newspapers, magazines, radio and television [10]      

When there is a violent threat in society the media sometimes takes sides. This happened in Nepal. The government declared a state of emergency against Maoist threat. The main media agreed and did not concern itself that the emergency took away media freedoms. And the media used the government words to describe the Maoist as terrorists. It was difficult for journalists to independently report on and analyze the government or the Maoists. Journalists censored themselves and lost impartiality[11]

 In this case probably was a difficult task for a journalist to be impartial and report the information from the both sides. Their access was impossible to reach the Maoist rebels, because they have reported government word and through media Maoist were considered as a terrorist.  But, during Kosova war in 1999 while the fierce NATO’s air assault against Serbia proved to be a difficult task for national and international journalists, where they have walked in a thin line of bias reporting. BBC journalist John Simpson decided to stay in conflict zone after most of international journalists harassed into leaving by Serbian authorities. Simpson interviews with Belgrade citizens suggested growing popular support for Milosevic, the opposite key aim of the Nato attacks and he asserted this point explicitly. After Serb claimed that NATO planes had attacked a refuge convoy, his report suggested that if Serbs responded by taking foreign journalists to the site probably was a NATO attack.   All this was too much for the British government who decided to attack Simpson directly, accusing him of deliberate pro-Serbian reporting and lack of objectivity. This attack drew both national and international criticism and paradoxically helped Simpson’s later reporting on the ground as Belgrade citizens began to see him (wrongly) as on their side and allowed him to report events during the war’[12]                  

 Simpson as a journalist of a very influenced broadcasting organization(BBC) was bound by the principles of due impartiality which requires journalists to provide balanced reports free from their own partisan views, has achieved report impartially, even though he was restricted  by the Serbs on what is he allowed to report and access places inside the conflict zone.    

In spite of media in Nepal where journalists were influenced by their government, Simpson used his professional journalistic skills, by walking on the thin line of bias just to achieve in the end the truth, and his efforts to be objective were more risky and courageous than those of  Nepal journalist.     

There is undoubted lengthy history of allegations of bias in journalism in many countries, So, perhaps an examination of bias might be more profitable route into understanding 

What journalism objectivity might refer to in practice given the problems in the conceptualization of objectivity, bias can’t simply be defined as the absence of objectivity.[13] 

Moreover, the crucial role of media in the emerging democracies should be at the same time free and responsible for its reporting. Reporting on different cultural contexts in a various conflict zone is often defamatory, malicious and corrupted

 Professional media should keep itself away from bias reporting on nationalism, patriotism in ethnic conflicts, reporting on minorities and other diversity issues.

 The key of success of one professional reporter in a conflict zone or in any emerging democracy situations is to keep the right track of accuracy, impartiality and responsibility while reporting his story. The essential element in a democracy, is when well informed citizens from the media information, can make decisions in their own interest and with a good media collaboration they can stand firmly as the foundation stone of the lighthouse of democracy.

 

---

[1] Jack Snyder and Karen Ballentine,”Media Institution and Norms” Nationalism and the Marketplace of Ideas, Kijac Reader ”Media law and Ethics”

[2] James Curran, Media and Power, published 2002, Chapter 8- Media and Democracy

[3] Vincent Campbell, Information Age Journalism, published 2004” Chapter Six- News Gathering and professional Ethics.

[4] Peter Krug and Monroe E. Price, Content Regulation in Post Confict Zones, Kijac Reader ”Media law and Ethics”

[5] Julie Mertus and Mark Thompson, The Learning Curve: Media Development in Kosovo  

[6] Iain Mc Lean,The concise dictionary of Politics, Oxford University Press, published 1996.

[7] [7] Ross Howard ,‘Conflict Sensitive Journalism, International Media Support

[8] Jack Snyder and Karen Ballentine, Nationalism and the Marketplace of Ideas, Kijac Reader ”Media law and Ethics”

[9] Ross Howard ,‘Conflict Sensitive Journalism, International Media Support

[10] Richard Rudin and Trevor Ibbotson, An Introduction to Journalism, published 2002, “Chapter 10 -Health and Safety”  

[11] Ross Howard ,Conflict Sensitive Journalism, International Media Support

[12] Vincent Campbell, Information Age Journalism, published 2004, Chapter Seven- Objectivity and Bias

[13] Vincent Campbell, Information Age Journalism, published 2004,” Chapter Seven- Objectivity and Bias

Quotes

“Ships can sail the same oceans, but not the same water” 

“Crows pooping in your neighbor's roof, is not good news; one day they will be pooping in your roof too!”

“It’s not bravery to walk through the jungle with a lion’s escort, but it is with a rabbit “

“Life is a beach, swim or drown; get a sunburn or suntan, it is your choice!”


   ' Yesterday can not be changed, tomorrow is unknown and today is life '

Author: Fazli Rrezja  

One path more in the world of sounds

                                                              (Porta - Kur nata bjen)* 

   

Historik i shkurtër

PORTA –NJË SHTEG MË SHUMË NË BOTËN E TINGUJVE

Bendi PORTA rrjedh nga ish rok bendi REVENGERS i viteve të 90-ta nga qyteti i Prizrenit. Bendi është rigrupuar me emrin e ri PORTA në vitin 2003, në Prizren nga 4 anëtar : Bekim Koqinaj – (Beki);  Arlind Karanezi - (Lindi); Fazli Rrezja (Xia); Ardian Karanezi (Ardi).  Albumi  ‘Pas shumë vitesh’ (Demo - Version) është incizuar me 04.11.2003. Këngët janë kompozime që janë krijuar në periudhën 1994 deri 2003. Në këtë album mund të hasni zhanre të stileve të ndryshme, rok, pop dhe xhez; por me bazë të muzikës rok. Qëllimi ynë primar, është të krijojmë tinguj dhe këngë që ne dëshirojmë, duke mos qenë patjetër në ‘mainstream’ të trendëve aktuale të muzikës. Aktualisht, pjesa më e madhe e anëtarëve të bendit jeton jashtë shtetit, duke pamundësuar që ky bend të  jetë më shumë proaktiv. Albumi i parë i incizuar në CD, quhet "Pas shumë vitesh" dhe radhitet me këto këngë:

1. Pas shume vitesh ................5:03

2. Toka ....................................4:47

3. Zhvarrose të vërtetën ........3:59

4. Dua atë që s'kam.................4:49

5. Po vdes ngadalë..................4:48

6. Shiko ..................................2:57

7. Ku je ti ...............................4:26

8. Jeta .....................................3:52

9. Gjenerata ............................5:06

10.Kur nata bjen *..................2:47

   

Brief History

   

PORTA- ONE PATH MORE IN THE WORLD OF SOUNDS

PORTA band derived from the former rock band REVENGERS of  90-ies from  Prizren city. The band is regrouped with a new name PORTA in 2003, in Prizren by 4 members: Bekim Koqinaj -- (Beki); Arlind Karanezi - (Lindi); Fazli Rrezja (Xia); Ardian Karanezi (Ardi).  The album 'Pas shumë vitesh' (After many years) - ( Demo - Version ) is recorded on 04.11.2003. Songs are authentic compositions that were created in the period from 1994 until 2003. In this album one may encounter genres of different styles rock, pop and jazz, but mainly rock based music. Our primary goal is to create sounds and songs that we desire, and not necessarily being in current 'mainstream ' music trends. Actually most of the band members live overseas, disabling this band to be more proactive. The first album recorded on CD, named "After many years " is ranked with above written songs...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDi7NXYd3oYhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDi7NXYd3oY

Llapusha during the history in documents and oral sources

Summary

By Agon Rrezja 

Historian's research to study  and explore the provinces, territories and regions, derived from early passions since childhood up to  begin when they start to study humanity and social sciences, as, for example, history, anthropology, archaeology and folklore in scientific institutions.  Vertical chronology of approach is quite early, at least from the time of Herodotus,  a historiographer and "father of history" who wrote on Greek - Persian wars in the V century. BC, and Tukiditit who wrote about the Peloponnesian Wars, also occurred in the V century BC, Peloponnese known as a Peninsula  also as a special region, the first residents had exactly the most civilized nation of the time, Pelasgian population. 

  

            

Idea and reason to study the region of Llapusha is displayed during the operation of the main workshop of Master studies "Albanians and the Ottoman Empire," lectured by Prof. Dr. Gaz­mend Rizaj, where the selection of the topic, "Vilayet of Kosovo ", I realized, and I concluded on great importance had gi­ven Bayrak of Astrazup, in particular the whole regions of Llapusha since the early beginnings of the Albanian National Re­naissance to the circumstances of combat during World War II, at the Battle of Kollashin as and to the resistance of patriots and their liquidation in 1947 by Montenegrin Serb communist forces.

Inspiration came as my participation inter weaving  International Summer University of Prishtina  in the summer of 2002 in the course "Oral History: Methodology and Practise"  led by Prof. Ass. Dr. Bülent Bilmez from Yeditepe University, Department of History in Istanbul in cooperation with Prof. Dr. Jahja Drançolli from Faculty of Philosophy, Head of History Department in  the University of Pristina, and then mentor Master's thesis, the manuscript of which is publishing  in this volume.

In this summer course and during the following interdisciplinary courses during the other two years I have gained an exce­llent base from distinguished professors lectures, as well as expe­rience  exchange with local and international colleagues.

This rich experience of years led to the selection of Master's thesis entitled, "Llapusha as oral history in centuries", which is protected on 20.03.2012 before the committee comprising Prof.  dr. Jahja  Drançolli - mentor, Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Gashi - Chairman and Prof. dr. Zymer Neziri - member (Prishtina Albanology Institute).

Having these preparation of Oral History, History of Histo­riography of the  XIX-XX century, followed by Albanian studies and folklore with the suggestions above professors, colleagues, friends and family wider circle, I have decided that the collected subject and expansion of knowledge during the fieldwork to re­view once again, this time my intention was to publish the ca­se collected and arranged for monograph, "Llapusha during the history in documents and oral sources."

In this regard, I should thank heartily honored my mentor and professor, Prof. Dr. Jahja Drançolli, who with transparency and highest academic level, professional commitment and his knowledge and scientific methodology, provided generous assistance, in order to this book or monography, in question comes in, as the highest scientific level.

Scientific results obtained from the Master's thesis, however, are met by family tradition and educational folk Rrezja family from the village Javor of Suhareka. From this village came the first frame of Albanologist  in the suburb of Suhareka, Prof. Nezir Rre­zja, my uncle, Professor in Academy  high school of Prizren (1970-1976), who unfortunately lost his life in 1976.

Earlier oral history of Llapusha relates with Agha of Zatriqi, family that had moved through history in relation Llapushë and region  of Kastrati of "Malësisë së Madhe" (Great Highland), which was involved with  in the range of Spahijve and was made a family with greater fame, which owned many lands in Llapusha Plains up to Harilaq of Lipjan These properties they won after the Austro-Ottoman wars at the end of the  XVII century, and the beginning of the XVIII century, then where consolidated  as big family  settled  in Zatriq.

Forming Bayrak of Astrazub at the end of the XVIII century and in the beginning of the XIX century pioneers of its first, Kurt Agha, Zejnel Agha and Sali Agha of  Astrazub, they were appe­a­red for the first time in Ottoman documents and other personalities of this soul  marked many pages in the Annals of historiography during Prizren League thereafter (1877 -1885). And other soul by Himë Heka with descends: Lush and Abaz Bajraktari  excel as noto­ious rebels during and after the League of Prizren, respectively during the years 1910-1912 uprisings against the invading Ottoman Young Turk and continuous protection in the Gorge of Carraleva against penetration of Serbian army in October 1912. Their succe­ssors in World War II, Qazim Bajraktari of Astrazub, made extra­ordinary contributions against the Serbo-Montenegrin parti­sans and the spread of communist ideology while heroically fell in Sferrkë of Gash with Halil Sadri of  Gjurgjevik.

The emergence of the Berisha family from Gjurgjevik res­pectively, of Ali Met Nepolajt of Gjurgjevik, as it will be called later had contributed large flows at historical of Llapusha. The drive of this family that enjoyed wide renown authority in all Llapusha, topped with Sadik Rama-Gjurgjevikun will mark many events to contributing at the time of the Albanian uprisings 1910-1912, then in the Proclamation of Independence of Albania up to Llapusha Uprising (1919) which documents of that time and Alba­nian historiography known as the "Lion of Kosovo." His footsteps came also his two sons Ukë and Shaban Sadiku who became the terror of the communist partisans and those who proclaim the co­mmunist ideology during World War II, such as fell on the altar of freedom for the ideal of Ethnic Albania.

A noble family from the time of the Ottoman Empire was of the Malok of  Pllaqica  with  Javori origin who was distinguished at the top with shrewd leader of the fearless, Osman Hajdar Ma­loku. This family deserves special attention. For this family is not written until now no monographs and any scientific work, so, I took the opportunity to sensitize prosperous and valuable patriotic history of this family in the language of documents as well as those of oral history.

Along with Malok's in the gladiator scene of Llapusha, headlined Alush Smajl Javori from Llazica of Malisheva who was in the front line for the homeland and flag. During his time as a president in Kijev, collaborates with many leaders of the kno­wledge of the shot but also was first in line Kollashin Front (1941-1944) and the War of prison cell of Jellocit (1945) the "mashin­kën" (weapon) making his massacre on Chetnik-Serb partisans bodies until they fell on the altar of freedom to the last cartridge along with brother  Murat and his fellow Ahmed Krajku, in Gull­boc at "Valley wits".

This verse is also added many other patriots who gave help  from the participation in the battle to maintain and housing leaders and those who supported the liberation struggle for self-deter­mination since the time of the wars with the Ottoman Empire until the anti-communist resistance after World War II (1947)

For a more complete perfection of this book a beautiful and productive work is done by researching archival documents. It should be noted that previous research during the preparation of Master's thesis were made ​​during 2011 in the archive of the Institute of History in Tirana, where they are harvested mainly do­cu­ments Austro-Hungarian and the record of Ottoman Military Court in Prizren to Active members of  LSHP (1881 -1885), which documents are also used during the writing of the monograph on Llapusha.

During 2012 were done research in both Albanian archives: Central State Archive in Tirana, and the State Archive in Pri­shtina. Due to the distance and the psychological and political circumstances that have accompanied the Central Archive of Al­bania and is accompanied by the present, the archive in question has provided us with very few documents.

Researches  in the State Archive of Kosovo, have already been very fruitful in terms of finding relevant documents per­taining to region of Llapusha, Bayrak of Astrazub, names of the Albanian National Renaissance, such as: Sadik Ramë Gjurgjeviku, etc.. Also, we have faced in this archive abundant and interesting subjects from World War II, where we have been able to use a part, but we still work to be done in further research.

For the delivery, researching and their preparing need to be  thanked  Sector Head in documents, MA Ruzhdi Panxha, who generously and with professional transparency allowed us to use and photocopy the documents.

Special attention in this book has devoted and the former-committee aforementioned Masters thesis, Prof. dr. Jahja Dran­çolli, Prof. dr. Ibrahim Gashi and Prof. Zymer Neziri, who did not spare their time to review and complete with suggestions, criticism and evaluation so that the book becomes more perfect.

To adapting this volume and had its weight within the scien­tific and cultural institutions I have decided to publish the manus­cript patronage and the firm of Prishtina Albanology In­sti­tute.  Therefore, for this we should thank Scientific Secretary of the Institute, Prof. dr. Lulzim Lajçi (Scientific Advisor), and head of the Department of History, Dr. Lush Culaj (Scientific Advisor) for suggestions on preparing professional, technical and admi­nis­tra­tive.

The range of those who accompanied the first stage in the fieldwork are Syl Bek Millaku from Ujmiri residing in Prizren and Hazir Isuf Gashi with his son, Dardan, from Javori living in Suhareka for what I am thankful for prosperous contribution gi­ven. While in the second phase of the preparation of this book until its completion should be mentioned and thanked sincerely, Fadil Musli Javori from Llazica of Malisheva , an activist and publicist distinguished Albanian-right who along with Cen Desku, historian, associated and helped immensely sparing their time to reach the zenith of this monograph.

         This volume would not have been possible the light of printing without the moral and financial support by mr. Xhafer Kastrati who together with group of businessmen from the Municipality of Malisheva with a residence in Prizren, with generosity enabled covering Albanological Institute costs, so I am very grateful to them!.

          I must also thank the members of families known patriotic of Llapusha who supported me defray the costs for the printing of this book.

With the publication of this monograph I hope that somehow I managed to approach the objectivity based on the experience gai­ned from the history department professors, work experience and suggestions from colleagues.

Thanks to the professional scientific transparency to describe a whole territory is impossible so to all those who have remark, suggestions, valuation, criticism, to me, would be more than welcome as that in any edition to fill the gaps presented. In the end thanks to my close family who supported me a lot creating suitable climate conditions to deal with the writing of this monograph. 

Source:

  shttps://www.academia.edu/3075135/Llapusha_valley_during_history_documents_and_oral_sources_Institute_of_Albanology_Section_of_History_Prishtina_2012