"Believe me when I tell you that March, the month we are currently in, has a very great significance for life." - with these words, Dalina began her monologue on "The Dalina Show", emphasizing the symbolism of this month that for thousands of years has been a time of war, change and transformation.
In Latin, this month was called Martius Mensis, associated with the Roman god of war. It was a period of transition from winter sleep to spring awakening, where warriors prepared for future conflicts. But what does March teach us, beyond history and legend?
1. History repeats itself and change is inevitable
"Every time March approaches, I am seized by a fear of what could happen around us or near us." This month has witnessed events that have shaken the world and Albania.
This year, Macedonia was rocked by one of the greatest tragedies of modern times: a discotheque fire that killed 59 young people and injured 155 others. Meanwhile, Albania faced a major political upheaval: “With the imprisonment of Mayor Erion Veliaj, who for 10 years had been identified with Tirana and Tirana with him.”
In March of past years, Albania has also experienced key moments. “On March 13, 2020, Albania was locked down like never before. Covid changed us, changed our relationships, changed the way we saw ourselves and the world.”
2. The war is not only with weapons, but also spiritual.
March has always been a month of battles. “On March 7, 1998, KLA commander Adem Jashari was killed, and a year later, on March 24, 1999, NATO launched airstrikes on the Serbian army, police, and paramilitary forces.”
Other events such as the great exodus of 1991, the riots of 1997, or the March 2004 protests in Kosovo show that this month has often been filled with tensions and drastic changes.
But war is not always violent. “US President Trump decided to close the Voice of America.” A decision that today may not have the weight it once had, but for generations of Albanians, this channel was the only reliable window of information.
3. After every darkness, there is a rebirth.
"The March of the God of War has truly been and will be a March of battles, but what amazes me, parallel to the fear of what might happen, is the fact that all of this happens in the month where things begin to be reborn."
Winter is gone, spring begins and nature awakens. “Along with wars and loss of life, flowers bloom and gardens and meadows fill, along with the cooling of relationships, time warms up, along with the gloom of tragedies, the day lengthens and the sun shines.”
In ancient Roman calendars, the year began in March, a symbolism that reminds us that every end is a new beginning.
4. Hope is the force that keeps us alive
In difficult moments, it is important to remember that everything passes and that every struggle brings a new opportunity. "God has given you this sign and gives it every year. He calls it March. He gives you a sword because life is a struggle, but he fills the garden with flowers, because what is there to fight for, if you don't hope that things will get better?"
Mars challenges us, scares us, and changes us. But most of all, it gives us the strength to be reborn.
