TIRANA, May 5 /ATA/ – “Gjergj Kastriot Skanderbeg’s Battles to defend Europe” was the title of the event at the National History Museum as part of the Europe Day in Tirana on Thursday.
In his opening remarks at the event, the Director of the National History Museum Dorian Koçi put emphasis on Skanderbeg’s role within the anti-Ottoman coalition headed by Pope Calixtus III.
According to him, in the European context of Pope Calixtus III’s efforts to organize a successful crusade campaign, Skanderbeg and Arberia were interested in becoming an important part of this crusade.
“Skanderbeg and his resistance had already become important references for the fate of Europe and this not only increased his role in the European royal elite, but later became an admirable credential of the Albanians in the continent’s political and cultural destiny,” Koçi said.
The Ottoman Empire’s expansion ground to a halt during the time that Skanderbeg’s forces resisted. He has been credited with being one of the main reasons for the delay of Ottoman expansion into Western Europe, giving the Italian principalities more time to better prepare for the Ottoman arrival
The 25-year resistance of Albanians against the Ottomans showed Albanians identity and cultural affinity with Europe.
In the strategic plans of the Europeans’ war against the Ottoman Empire, Skanderbeg was always proposed as the commander of the joint Albanian-European army to lead the military campaign.
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