Alphabet Day in Albania commemorates the 1908 Congress of Manastir, where Albanian scholars unified the Albanian alphabet, marking a key step in preserving national identity and cultural independence.

When is Alphabet Day?

Alphabet Day in Albania is celebrated on November 22 every year.

The following is the list of Alphabet Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Alphabet Day?

Before the early 20th century, the Albanian language was written in multiple scripts, including Arabic, Greek, and Latin alphabets. This lack of a unified writing system created barriers to communication, education, and national unity.

As the Albanian National Awakening movement gained strength in the 19th century, intellectuals recognized that a standardized alphabet was essential for national progress and independence from Ottoman rule.

On November 14 – 22, 1908, Albanian scholars, educators and community leaders gathered in the city of Manastir (modern-day Bitola, North Macedonia) to address this critical issue. The assembly brought together delegates from across Albanian-speaking regions, including present-day Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia.

After extensive debate, the congress decided to adopt an alphabet based on the Latin script, combining elements of two existing versions. This decision was revolutionary: the Latin-based alphabet became a powerful symbol of unity and modernization, linking Albania culturally to Western Europe while asserting independence from Ottoman and religious influences.

The unified alphabet paved the way for standardized education, publishing and national literature in Albanian. It also strengthened the sense of national identity, crucial in the years leading up to Albania's declaration of independence in 1912.

To honor this historic event, Alphabet Day is celebrated every year on November 22, the final day of the 1908 congress. It was officially recognized as a national holiday in 1972, during a period of renewed emphasis on education and cultural heritage. Alphabet Day is more than a linguistic celebration, it represents Albanian unity, cultural resilience, and independence.