Vithkuqi

Vithkuqi is an Albanian alphabet, used to write the Albanian language. It consists of 36 letters, including 8 vowels and 28 consonants. Vithkuqi is the official alphabet of Albania and is also used in Kosovo and Macedonia. The Albanian alphabet is believed to have originated in the 2nd century AD, when the first Albanian texts were written. It is thought to be based on the Latin alphabet, with some influence from the Greek alphabet. The first Albanian alphabet was published in 1494 by Gjon Buzuku, a Catholic priest. Vithkuqi was first used extensively during the Albanian National Awakening of the 19th century. At this time, many Albanians were literate in Ottoman Turkish, which used a different alphabet. The first Albanian newspaper, Zëri i Rinisë, was published in 1878 using the Latin alphabet. In 1908, the Congress of Manastir formalised the use of Vithkuqi for the Albanian language. The Congress was held in the city of Manastir (now Bitola, Macedonia), which was then part of the Ottoman Empire. Albanian leaders such as Ismail Qemali and Faik Konica were in attendance. The use of Vithkuqi spread throughout Albania in the early 20th century. It was used in schools and by the Albanian government. In 1945, the Albanian Communist Party declared Vithkuqi to be the official alphabet of Albania. Since then, Vithkuqi has been used in all aspects of Albanian life. It is used in schools, books, newspapers and magazines, as well as on road signs and in advertising. Albanian children learn to read and write using Vithkuqi from a young age. Vithkuqi is an important part of Albanian culture and identity. It is a unique alphabet that has helped to shape the Albanian language over centuries.