Erudite Moikom Zeqo passed away on June 15, but homage to his life and creativity was held today because the family decided to wait for the arrival of their son, Epidamni, from the United States. At the Atrium of the National Historical Museum - respecting the last legacy of Zeqo - Epidamni gave a touching speech to his late father.
He said his father "is not a standard figure, although simple and understandable". Among other things, Epidamni stressed that "he deserved much more."
?Ah, how much Moikomi deserved when he was still alive! How short-sighted politics! Do you think a nation can be built or maintained together without idealism? Without De Rada and Naim and without Migjen and Moikom? Pragmatism is the only solution, you say? Careful! Remember that it takes a generation to unify a nation, and two generations to eradicate it. Moikom worked only for the great good of the Albanian nation and humanity and not for his personal or even family interests. ?
He then recalled the time when Moikomi decided to return to his family in Albania, at a time when everyone else was leaving.
"Why didn't Moikom become as pragmatic as the rest of us?" Why did you return the family to Albania in 1997 from the USA when everyone was leaving Albania? Did you think you would save this country? How naive but wonderful and meaningful ideas at the same time. How hopeful, but hopeful. What about me, Epidamn Zeqo? I followed my dreams just to wake up in a nightmare. I got the Green American Card - I made everyone's dream come true - but I lost it! Oh exile, how did you divide every Albanian family! How much drama it causes, how much pain and how much regret. ?
Full speech (via Balkanweb ):
"It's not a standard eulogy," he said. My father is a unique figure, sui generis, so by no means standard (though simple and understandable). How I miss you Dad! Where are you now dad? How do you escape so irreversibly? What can I say to little Pandora now, where can I tell my grandfather that she has a weak point and is very jealous? Now I call the girl BABI; ke uri babi; to read Grandpa Daddy's little books? I wore the same costume I had today to my wedding in 2015.
When you came to London for the wedding it seemed like you were sick - you had chronic leukemia. You fought for five years like no one else - how proud I am of you o ba! You Moikom are here with us forever! We must all pass on to this new generation this enlightenment to save Albania from the toxic state in which it finds itself. Moikomi wore many professional hats (even republican hats) during his life: from swimmer - fisherman - railway worker - writer - editor - teacher - archaeologist - the first Albanian underwater archaeologist - Minister of Culture - MP - painter - Director of the National Historical Museum . But his professional career, unlike his literary and journalistic one, was very short compared to the careers of others who sing politics or keep their mouths shut.
He deserved so much more! Ah, how much Moikomi deserved when he was still alive! How short-sighted politics! Do you think a nation can be built or maintained together without idealism? Without De Rada and Naim and without Migjen and Moikom? Pragmatism is the only solution, you say? Careful! Remember that it takes a generation to unify a nation, and two generations to eradicate it. Moikom worked only for the great good of the Albanian nation and humanity and not for his personal or even family interests. His mission was to influence people through knowledge. The magnificent Moikomi has always offered a unique perspective on any debate on any topic: from linguistics and art to economics and geology. It is true that a nation can be understood as the aggregate of millions of people. But a nation is in fact defined only by a small group of individuals. My father is the most fruitful among them.
Why didn't Moikom become as pragmatic as the rest of us? Why did you return the family to Albania in 1997 from the USA when everyone was leaving Albania? Did you think you would save this country? How naive but wonderful and meaningful ideas at the same time. How hopeful, but hopeful. What about me, Epidamn Zeqo? I followed my dreams just to wake up in a nightmare. I got the Green American Card - I made everyone's dream come true - but I lost it! Oh exile, how did you divide every Albanian family! How much drama it causes, how much pain and how much regret.
We need to focus on the things that really matter, such as family and health, and nature and enlightenment. Will Moikom's work be read by the younger generation? My family and many of Moikom's supporters will make sure this happens. Young people and the elderly need to get better so that Albania can recover. Reading Moikomin strengthens national and human consciousness. Where is Moikomi now? Where is my dad? In paradise filled with white clouds? No, Moikomi is working every day as always - Moikomi is the Eternal Minister of Albanian, European and World Culture. He is the noble guardian of the Human Library. Amen. "
