Today, Tirana commemorates the 80th anniversary of Liberation from the Nazi-fascist invaders. A large number of dignitaries, government representatives, LANÇ veterans and many citizens participated in the honoring ceremony near the Unknown Soldier monument. The Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, emphasized the importance of protecting freedom, as today, according to him, the capital is living its best days. "80 years later, Tirana and Albania are stronger than ever! Two years ago, Tirana held the title of European Youth Capital, two years ago it was the European City of Sport, while next year it will be the Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue. Thanks to that liberation and dignity, today Tirana is more European, more developed and more advanced than ever before. Today we celebrate freedom, but at the same time we reflect on our responsibility as citizens to protect and develop this precious heritage. Let this day be a permanent reminder that sacrifice and unity are the key to a brighter future", said Veliaj. He added that preserving the past is not just a moral obligation, but also an act of responsibility for the future, that our cultural and historical heritage is the foundation on which we build our identity and aspirations for the future. "Another war continues today. The fight against an enemy that has no uniform and no weapons, but clings like a shadow of the past to the old mindsets and habits that hold us hostage. Today, the barricades are no longer made of carts, chairs or old furniture, but of fear and reluctance to change and embrace progress. The damaged facades are no longer on the streets, but in our minds, where we often hold unchanged the beliefs that belong to another time. As then, this is a street-to-street, idea-to-idea, mind-to-mind, and heart-to-heart battle. As then, it takes courage to raise the flag of a better future than today," he said. Veliaj underlined that just as the partisans overcame the divisions for the liberation of Tirana, the citizens today must rise above the divisions and unnecessary conflicts, in order to build a fairer, more modern and more solidary society. "Just as the partisans rose above the divisions of time to liberate Tirana, today we rise above selfishness, divisions and unnecessary clashes to build a fairer, more tribal, more open, more solidary and more modern society. But, above all, more progressive and advanced. History teaches us that any liberation requires sacrifices, and sometimes those sacrifices are silent: to abandon the mindsets that hold us back, to accept the new and to dare to challenge the traditions that no longer have a place in today's world. Every generation has its own struggle and, although ours does not have shells and mortars, it requires the same spiritual strength and the same idealism. Because, as Tirana learned that morning of liberation, any destruction, no matter how great, can be the beginning of a new life. This is as true for cities as it is for our hearts and minds. Because 'sacrifice is the price we pay for freedom'", said Veliaj.