In Belgrade, the literary-musical association “Përpjekja” (“Effort”), the association of Albanian students studying at the University of Belgrade, was founded. Young Albanians, thirsty for knowledge, at all costs tried to use the few opportunities that were given to them to pursue higher studies. With the increase in the number of students, the need arose to develop an organized activity with national artistic quality and value. Associations were created to preserve and create cultural and artistic values. This is exactly what the “Përpjekja” association did from the day it was founded. The founders and members of the association were enthusiastic young people full of dreams and plans for the future and inexhaustible creative energy. These were among the first students who were studying in their respective fields and, when they finished their studies, they returned to Kosovo and developed their cultural, educational and scientific activities. Their goal and obligation was to follow and complete their studies, but in their free time they tried to develop cultural, literary, musical and sports activities. They presented cultural values to the public of Belgrade and beyond. In 1977, the “Përpjekja” association organized a successful tour in the Albanian cities of the Presheva Valley, where it presented a concert rich in Albanian songs and dances. In the spring of 1977, the literary group organized a very successful literary evening in cooperation with the League of Writers of Kosovo. In May 1977, the “May Meetings” were held in Belgrade. These were meetings of Albanian students who studied in the universities of the then Yugoslavia where there were associations of Albanian students. The Serbian authorities violently closed the association “Përpjekja” in the late 80s of the 20th century. (In the photo: Group of young people, members of the “Effort” association.)
Text: Sadik Elshani
Graphic processing: AHCF
