Today, November 22, marks Albania’s first official celebration of Alphabet Day, a national holiday declared earlier this year to honor the Albanian alphabet and its historical significance. While the holiday has generated some official attention, its resonance with the public is still up for debate.
The day is intended to highlight the significance of the Albanian alphabet, which was officially standardized in 1908. However, for many citizens, today feels like any other day.
Government offices are closed, and public employees are enjoying the administrative holiday. However, aside from the closure of public institutions, the holiday seems to have little impact on daily life. When asked how they plan to celebrate, many Albanians express indifference. “I don’t know, I guess I’ll make cookies in the shape of letters,” said one resident. Others simply remark, “What’s there to celebrate? It’s just another day off.”
While the holiday has cultural significance, particularly for those invested in preserving the country’s linguistic history, critics argue that it may be more symbolic than practical. Albania already has one of the highest numbers of official holidays in Europe, and adding another day off raises questions about its real value. In a country with nearly 50,000 illiterate people, some feel that the government should prioritize efforts to improve education over adding more holidays to the calendar.
Furthermore, the timing of the holiday has raised concerns. With a focus on cultural recognition, some argue that this holiday could be better spent addressing more pressing educational issues, particularly when the country is working to improve literacy rates and strengthen its education system.
While Alphabet Day aligns Albania with other countries like Bulgaria, which also celebrates its alphabet, many are left wondering if the holiday will have a lasting impact. It is yet to be seen whether the recognition of the Albanian alphabet will translate into tangible improvements in the country’s education and literacy efforts.
