Albania celebrates the year of the Albanian language with key reforms

Tirana, January 6, 2024 – Albania declared 2024 the "Year of the Albanian Language," marking a significant step in strengthening the role of the language in shaping the country’s identity. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a summary of the initiatives launched throughout the year, which focused on educational reforms and promoting Albanian both locally and abroad.

Rama took to social media to outline some of the key activities, noting that the year had helped set new goals for the language's preservation and promotion. "In the Year of the Albanian Language, we have set new milestones to safeguard and promote our language, an essential part of our national identity," he said.

Among the major initiatives was the National Albanian Language Competition, which saw over 11,000 ninth-grade students from across Albania take part. The competition highlighted the importance of language learning for young people in the country.

The Albanian government also focused on improving education through the modernisation of the Albanian language curriculum. More than 4,600 teachers participated in a national training programme, and a new textbook, "The Albanian Language and Albanian Culture," was published to support the reforms.

Efforts to support the Albanian diaspora were also a key part of the year’s activities. Over 15,000 free textbooks were distributed to Albanian students abroad, helping to ensure that the language remains central to Albanian communities worldwide.

In November, the National Assembly for the Albanian Language was held, further underlining the government’s commitment to language preservation. At the same time, a new programme, "Teachers for Greece," was launched, alongside a seminar for Albanian language teachers in the diaspora, aimed at improving teaching methods and promoting the language in communities outside Albania.