Summary
Ylfete Humolli, a heroine of Kosovo, symbolizes the testimony of young people who lost their childhood dreams due to the Serbian occupation. She was killed on February 1, 1990, at the age of 16, while protesting for freedom and equality for her people.
Elfete Humolli (February 15, 1973 – February 1, 1990) was a young girl from Lupç i Poshtëm, Kosovo, who lost her life at a young age, becoming a symbol of the struggle for freedom and justice against the oppression of Albanians in Kosovo. Elfete was killed during a peaceful protest at the age of 16, representing the determination of her generation in the efforts to protect the rights of the Kosovar people.
Personal Life
Elfete was born into a patriotic family. Her parents, Isa and Sevdije Humolli, had nine children. Elfete’s brother, Mentori, was also a martyr during the war in Kosovo. Elfete was an excellent student. She completed primary school in Lupç i Poshtëm, standing out for her success and active participation in extracurricular activities, including school theater.[1]
Education and activism
After completing primary school, Elfete attended secondary school at the Economic School in Prishtina. When Kosovo lost its autonomy, Elfete was in her third year of studies. Moved by the situation, she became actively involved in protests against the regime in Prishtina and the surrounding areas. [2]
Protests and Direct Action
Elfete participated in many peaceful protests, demanding freedom and equality for the Kosovar people. On 1 February 1990, she joined a protest in her village, Lupç i Poshtëm, against a police column entering the village. During the protest, Elfete and others faced police violence, and in the ensuing scuffle, she was shot dead. Witnesses recall her last words, in which she painfully demanded to know about the safety of her younger brother, Mentor.[3]
Fall for Freedom and National Impact
Elfete’s funeral became an act of resistance, with thousands of Albanians gathering to honor her and express their commitment to freedom and equality. The funeral ceremony, accompanied by the raising of two fingers for freedom, became a national manifestation to immortalize her sacrifice.
Memorial Complex in Honor of the National Martyr Elfete Humolli
On the anniversary of the fall of the national martyr, Elfete Humolli, a memorial complex was inaugurated in the village of Lupç i Poshtëm in honor of her and her brother, the martyr Mentor Humolli. This complex was created to remember and honor their sacrifice in protecting the rights and freedom of the Albanian people in Kosovo.[4]
References
Balkan Academia 