The M&M Ivanaj Foundation organized a special event to honor the legacy and contribution of the Ivanaj Family to Albania’s culture, education, and history over the years. The event brought together around 100 guests, including friends, relatives, collaborators, journalists, poets, and writers, who shared reflections and memories on the profound impact this family has had on Albanian society.
The life of Mirash Ivanaj was highlighted as one of the most important personalities in the nation’s educational and cultural history, a man of great knowledge, broad vision, and exceptional dedication to the advancement of education in Albania. As Minister of Education during the 1930s, he was the author of the most comprehensive educational reform the country has ever known, laying the foundations of a modern, secular, and inclusive school system. Mirash Ivanaj firmly believed that education was the key to national emancipation, and he worked tirelessly to establish quality schools, improve curricula, and raise the standards of teaching throughout Albania.
The event also commemorated Martin Ivanaj, Mirash’s brother, another distinguished figure of the Albanian nation. A jurist, publicist, and accomplished intellectual, Martin Ivanaj made a significant contribution to the establishment of Albania’s state institutions and the strengthening of public justice. He represented a generation of intellectuals who viewed knowledge as a tool for emancipation and justice as the cornerstone of modern citizenship.
During the event, rare documents sourced from the Ivanaj Foundation’s well-preserved archives were presented, including part of the correspondence maintained during the years of dictatorship between Mirash Ivanaj and his sister-in-law, Mrs. Giuseppina Pogliotti Ivanaj, bearing witness to the intellectual and spiritual strength that endured through difficult times. Attention was also drawn to Mrs. Ivanaj’s sacrifices after leaving Albania, her preservation of the National Flag, and the family’s continuous efforts to uphold the ideals of freedom, knowledge, and national identity.
The legacy of Drita Ivanaj, the worthy daughter of this remarkable family, was likewise honored. With her vision, spiritual strength, and boundless love for culture and education, she gave life to a mission that continues to this day. Raised in the spirit of knowledge and integrity, Drita Ivanaj transformed her family’s memory and work into a model of dedication for future generations. Through her energy, and personal devotion, she established the foundations that bear the Ivanaj family name, giving them a noble purpose: to preserve historical memory, promote intellectual development, and cultivate human and national values.
The warm and engaging atmosphere of the event was accompanied by testimonies, readings, and discussions, turning the occasion into an emotional journey through the history and values that the Ivanaj Family has left as a legacy to the Albanian nation.
