Skenderaj

Skënderaj [ ˌ skəndɛ ɾaj ˑ ] ( Albanian: Skënderaji; Serbian Србица / Srbica ) is a city and headquarters of the eponymous large village in the north of Kosovo, which 50.858 inhabitants (as of 2011).

  • 8.1 Sons and daughters of the town
  • 8.2 Honorary Citizen of the City

Etymology

The Albanian name of the city, Skënderaj should Skënderbeu or Skanderbeg be after Gjergj Kastrioti (1405-1468), called named ( in German " Lord / Prince Alexander " ) - the Turkish form of the Greek given name " Alexander" ( Iskender ) -, of the late Middle Ages made ​​a name for himself as a fighter against the Ottomans and is now celebrated by the Albanians as a national hero.

The Serbian name of the city, is Srbica, srb from the root word and the suffix - ica formed, a typical place names ending with the suffix or Slavic origin. Hence the name Srbica means in the modern sense translates as " Serbs city ".

Geography

Skënderaj is located in the rolling countryside Drenica in the north of the country on an average height of 600 meters above the sea. The capital Pristina is about 50 kilometers to the southeast. The most important city in northern Kosovo, Kosovska Mitrovica, is located 25 kilometers to the northeast.

Through the town of Klina, a left tributary of the White drins, which then in the plane Metohija ( Alb. Dukagjin; serb. Metohija Метохија ) flows occurs.

A large village Skënderaj covers an area of ​​378 square kilometers; the highest point is the Qyqavica 1117 meters above sea level. The region has a continental climate.

In the surrounding towns in the east and southeast, specifically in Prekaz and Polac, large coal deposits were found according to scientific soil surveys in the years 1983/84. At a depth of ten to 15 meters there is a coal reserve of 7 million tons.

Population

The greater community is made up of the city itself and about 50 villages. The population of the entire United municipality is 50.858 ( 2011 census ). Nearly 40 percent of the population is younger than 20 years old.

The ethnic distribution was as in 2011 as follows:

Administration and policy

Legislature

The municipal council (Albanian Kuvendi i Komunës; Serbian Skupština opstine / Скупштина општине ) takes over legislative functions and must inter alia, approve the budget. It consists in Skënderaj loud statute of 31 members. 26 of which belong to the Democratic Party of Kosovo ( PDK), which in the central Kosovo has its biggest strongholds. Three councilors are members of the Democratic Alliance Dardans ( LDD), and one each belong to the Alliance New Kosovo ( AKR ) and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK ) on.

Executive

Since the last local elections of 2009, Sami Lushtaku ( PDK) mayor.

Twinning

Skënderaj entertains with Sigmaringen in Baden- Württemberg, a town twinning.

Economy

Agriculture employs most people, being mostly subsistence farming is operated. The economic life is largely disputed by private small businesses, especially shops and restaurants. According to the OSCE report of January 2013, registered in Skënderaj 810 self-employed. In addition, there are two privatized factories, a brick factory and a flour mill, which employ several hundred people. Another, rather small part of the workforce is employed in the city administration. For the unemployment rate there is no official information.

Media

Radio Drenica is the largest radio station in the region of Drenica.

Sports

The local football club KF Drenica currently plays in the top league, the Raiffeisen Superliga.

Personalities

Sons and daughters of the town

  • Azem Galica (1889-1924), politician and freedom fighter of Rilindja
  • Shote Galica (1895-1927), politician and freedom fighter of Rilindja
  • Tahir Meha (1943-1981), political activist
  • Kaqusha Jashari (* 1946), politician
  • Flora Brovina (* 1949), human and women 's rights activist
  • Hamez Jashari (1950-1998), deputy commander of the KLA and brother Adem Jashari of
  • Islamaj Aziz ( born 1952 ), sculptor
  • Adem Jashari (1955-1998), co-founder and main figure of the KLA
  • Ilir Shaqiri ( born 1960 ), folk singer
  • Hashim Thaçi (* 1968), politician and the first prime minister of Kosovo since 2008
  • Leonora Jakupi (born 1978 ), pop singer
  • Përparim Hetemaj ( born 1986 ), football player
  • Fortesa Hoti (* 1988), actress

Honorary Citizen of the City

  • Erhard Bühler ( born 1956 ), between 2010 and 2011 Commander of KFOR
Alban Skënderaj Serbian language Bosniaks Ashkali and Balkan Egyptians Albanian National Awakening Kosovo Force Dragaš Ferizaj Gnjilane Istok Junik Lipljan Mamuša Orahovac Prizren Štimlje Suva Reka Vitina
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