Inauguration of the statue of Josif Budo, Salianji: Today I speak as an individual who knew prison as a reality in the new dictatorship

Former Democratic MP Ervin Salianji participated today in the first activity since his release from prison, at the inauguration ceremony of the statue of Josif Budo in the city of Kavaja, on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the fall of the First Martyr of Democracy.

In his speech, Salianji said that today he is speaking not only as a politician, but as an individual who has just been released from prison, as a reality of the new dictatorship. Among other things, Salianji said that we are free today because someone chose not to be part of the crowd that applauded evil.

The Word of Salianj 

Dear guests, family, honorable Leader of the Opposition Dr. Berisha, dear Fisnik, Hysen. My heart tells me to speak as a citizen, not as a political representative.

As an individual who has just finished his acquaintance with prison, not as a metaphor, but as a reality in the new dictatorship. In an isolation where life is counted by the hours, but with patience. With silence. With endurance. Today we are not simply following the memory of a man

Today we stand in silence before a light that could not be extinguished, even though it was struck with the densest darkness. Joseph Buda did not fall by chance. He came out to seek justice, freedom! Life did not take Joseph — spammers took him!

Because he had the courage to refuse to be lied to, to refuse to accept injustice, the lack of freedom! To refuse to live on his knees. In a place where even a word could cost him his life, Joseph chose to react.

In a time when looking evil straight in the eye was an act of self-sacrifice, he did so without hesitation. And for this, he was killed. But let us accept with ourselves a great truth: These people are not killed, they do not disappear.

Because they are more than a body. They were and are consciousness. Joseph Buddha was a consciousness. Not only of his time, but also of our time. Because he left us a question that has not lost its power even today:

Is it worth living a peaceful life if it is without dignity? Everyone who has gone through the hell of dictatorship knows that what saved a person was not bread, but faith.

In God, in freedom, in a day that would come. Joseph did not see that day. But we are here because that day came thanks to individuals like him and we must not let our generation be known as a generation that lost its acquired rights!

And we must not waste it. Today we are free because someone chose not to be part of the crowd that applauded evil. Today we are here because someone like Joseph said “No” — at a time when a “no” could cost you your life.

And for this, he should not be remembered only as a victim. But as a light. Joseph did not seek martyrdom. He sought life. But he sought it with his face to the sky, not with his head bowed in fear.

In a world that quickly forgets, Josif Buda is the memory that must never be forgotten. Not to mourn, but to remember that truth is always stronger than fear. Glory to his endurance. Glory to the light that did not fade. Glory to Josif Buda.