Researchers from the Department of Anthropology in Pristina: The closure of the Academy of Albanological Studies causes damage to anthropological and archaeological research

Researchers from the Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Philosophy - University of Pristina are supporting the Academy of Albanian Studies. ASA states that 12 colleagues from Prishtina support it through an open letter. The 12 researchers in Pristina state that they heard with concern the news, given in a press release dated May 27, 2023, about the closure of the Academy of Albanian Studies (ASA), within which the Institute of Cultural Anthropology and Art Studies operates. The Institute of Archaeology, the Institute of History and the Institute of Linguistics and the Albanian Encyclopedia Center. "This is shocking news for anthropologists, archaeologists, linguists, historians and all researchers in the fields of Albanianology, but also for students, colleagues of the academic community and all researchers of Albanian history, culture and language. The colleagues of ASA, especially the colleagues from the Institute of Cultural Anthropology and the Institute of Archaeology, with whom we have regular cooperation, have opened new paths in Albanian studies, redimensioning the Albanian study in line with the methods, approaches and perspectives of the institutions of authentic European science", says the letter. According to them, as far as national collaborations are concerned, ASA is the main collaborator of the Department of Anthropology, with whom they have carried out a series of works and are working together in the future. have opened new paths in albanological studies, redimensioning the albanological study in line with the methods, approaches and perspectives of real European scientific institutions", the letter says. According to them, as far as national collaborations are concerned, ASA is the main collaborator of the Department of Anthropology, with whom they have carried out a series of works and are working together in the future. have opened new paths in albanological studies, redimensioning the albanological study in line with the methods, approaches and perspectives of real European scientific institutions", the letter states. According to them, as far as national collaborations are concerned, ASA is the main collaborator of the Department of Anthropology, with whom they have carried out a series of works and are working together in the future.

Damages that occur

ASA colleagues of the Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Pristina "Hasan Prishtina" who are against the draft decision of the government that leads to the merger of the Academy of Albanian Studies and the transfer of the assets of this institution under the Academy of Sciences express in the letter that this brings harm to Albanian anthropological and archaeological research. "The closure of the Academy of Albanian Studies, where the Institute of Cultural Anthropology and the Institute of Archeology operate, which coincide with the main fields of study in the Department of Anthropology/UP, creates a great void and causes irreparable damage to Albanian anthropological and archaeological research ", says the letter made public by ASA. Also according to the researchers of the Department of Anthropology in Pristina, this will be a harm not only to Albanian anthropological knowledge, but also to world anthropological knowledge, because the Institute of Cultural Anthropology and the Institute of Archeology are institutions that have a good tradition and reputation abroad, for the anthropological and archaeological study of culture and society in Southeast Europe. "We are in full solidarity with the colleagues of the ASA institutes and our colleagues of the Institute of Cultural Anthropology and the Institute of Archaeology, supporting their opposition to the closure of their institution and the fusion and dismemberment in other institutions. Uncertainty and tension harm the scientific work of ASA colleagues, demotivate them and Albanian colleagues in scientific research and collaboration, and discourage young people from starting studies in the field of Albanianology. We believe that the personal and academic dignity of colleagues is inviolable and we appreciate their decision to protect independent and free academic research in Albania", the letter states. The letter in support of ASA is from the colleagues of the Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Pristina "Hasan Prishtina": Prof. Assoc. Dr. Education Canolli, Prof. Asst. Dr. Arben Hajdari, Prof. Asst. Dr. Tahir Latifi, Dr. Asst. Zanita Halimi, Dr. Asst. Rozafa Berisha, Dr. (Cand.) Ass. Durim Abdullahu, Dr. (Cand.) Ass. Ilir Culaj, Prof. Asst. Dr. Kujtime Boshtrakaj, Prof. Asst. Dr. Sedat Baraliu, Prof. Asst. Dr. Emine Kalaja-Hajdari, Dr. (Cand.) Ass. Elza Shipoli, MA. Asst. Yllka Syla-Uka.