The book “(Dis)construction of the ethnic border” by Prof. Dr. Martin Berishaj promoted

The University of Sarajevo, the International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES) and the International Scientific Review “European Perspectives” organized the promotion of the book by Prof. Dr. Martin Berishaj, University of Prishtina, entitled (Development) of the Ethnic Border (Zhbërja e Kufirit Etnik), held on 20 October 20, 2021 in the University of Sarajevo ceremonial hall.

Introductory words at the promotion were given by Prof. Dr. Rifat Škrijelj, University of Sarajevo Rector and Doz. Dr. Zijad Bećirović, director of the International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES) and co-publisher of the book European Perspectives.

Rector Škrijelj pointed out that this book, which talks about the borders, identity, language and national consciousness of the Albanian people throughout history until today, certainly provides a multidisciplinary approach to the discourse on borders and its political understandings and interpretations in practice and international law.

Director Bećirović pointed out that the book by Prof. Dr. Martin Berishaj with the title “(Dis) construction of the ethnic border” was recently published by the Association of Albanians of the City of Zagreb and Zagreb County and the international scientific journal European Perspectives from Ljubljana.

“This is a timeless and boundless book that talks about the future, and the future is that these borders are an integrative factor of our connection, cooperation, movement and improvement of life,” said director Bećirović.

The book promoters were: Dr. Mirko Pejanović, event moderator, vice president of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of BiH, Prof. Dr. Nerzuk Ćurak, Faculty of Political Sciences, UNSA, Prof. Dr. Husnija Kamberović, Faculty of Philosophy, UNSA, Prof. Dr. Pavle Mijović, Faculty of Catholic Theology, UNSA, and Prof. Dr. Martin Berishaj, author, Faculty of Political Sciences, University of Prishtina.

Academician Pejanović talking about the book “(Development) of ethnic border” by Prof. Dr. Martin Berishaj states that this is research that has a theoretical, cultural and long basis. He also states that the author has conducted research on relevant documents, and that this book can be very useful for anyone who wants to learn about this topic today.

In his presentation, Professor Ćurak states that this is an interdisciplinary scientific work that in a very good way problematizes the phenomenon of the border in the historical and recent sense. “The Albanian ethnic question appears as a case study in this book, which can serve many actors of political and scientific life as a serious and respectable reading that is worth getting acquainted with, not only in theoretical but also in practical terms,” ​​said Professor Ćurak.

Speaking about the historical dimension, Professor Kamberović states that the book is important because it talks about the topicality of the border, not only the border of the Albanians, but the topicality of the border in general. “It shows how this process of establishing borders has affected people's consciousness. This is not just a way of establishing borders, but researching the impact of this process of establishing borders on people's consciousness“, says Professor Kamberović.

“The book (Development) of the ethnic border is extremely current”, Professor Mijović emphasized, adding that the author Berishaj in the book offers a deep look at the borders, especially in the Western Balkans, which have changed in the last 120-130 years. “He brings a deeper understanding of the phenomenon of borders, he brings a critical theory of borders, which is a novelty from the perspective of political science. Also, his book has an integrating potential, and not in the stereotyped and clichéd sense of European agendas, but simply shows that although the borders are there, they are the product of a political opinion. A very interesting book, speculative, but humanly intoned “, believes Professor Mijović.

Words of gratitude for the promotion were sent by the author Berishaj, emphasizing that this is a book about borders and border studies regarding the Albanian ethnic space. “The border is such that it first starts as rhetoric, then there is conviction, and eventually it becomes something insurmountable,” says Professor Berishaj.

Dr. Martin Berishaj is a full professor at the Faculty of Political Science, University of Pristina and director of the Albanian Research Institute in Ljubljana. He is a university professor of international relations and ideological discourses. His area of ​​interest is the history and political emancipation of Albanians (after the 19th and 20th centuries), as well as political anthropology.