Luigj Gurakuqi

Albanian writer and politician (18791925)

Luigj Gurakuqi
Gurakuqi, 1910s
Gurakuqi, 1910s
Born(1879-02-19)19 February 1879
Shkodër, Scutari Vilayet, Ottoman Empire (now Albania)
Died2 March 1925(1925-03-02) (aged 46)
Bari, Italy
Pen nameJakin Shkodra, Lekë Gruda
OccupationWriter, journalist, politician
Period1900–1925
Literary movementAlbanian National Revival
Notable awards Hero of the People
Signature

Luigj Gurakuqi (19 February 1879 – 2 March 1925), also called Louis Gurakuchi, was an Albanian writer and politician. He was an important figure of the Albanian National Awakening and was honoured with the People's Hero of Albania medal.[1]

Biography

Early life

Gurakuqi was born to a Catholic family in Shkodër, a vilayet center of the Ottoman Empire at the time, on February 19, 1879. He studied at the Jesuit-run St. Xavier College[2] He was also a poet and published under the pen name Jakin Shkodra and Lekë Gruda. He published articles in Albania, Drita, Kalendari-kombëtar, Liria e Shqipërisë, and La Nazione Albanese.

Albanian independence

By September 1912, Gurakuqi and Ismail Qemal bey Vlora traveled to Bucharest to consult with the large Albanian diaspora regarding Albanian geopolitical issues.[3]

Principality of Albania and Noli's Government

In 1924 Gurakuqi was one of the leaders of the revolution that overthrew the regime of Ahmet Zogu and established a democratic government. Fan S. Noli became the new Prime Minister, while Luigj Gurakuqi was part of the new cabinet as Minister of Economy and Finance.[4]

Exile and death

After the restoration of the Zogist regime, Gurakuqi lived in Bari, Italy, where he was murdered in a café by Baltjon Stambolla.[4]

Monument in Shkodër

Honors

Luigj Gurakuqi was awarded the titles Hero i Popullit (Hero of the People) and Mësues i Popullit (Teacher of the People). A statue of him stands in the center of Shkodër.

See also

References

  1. ^ Brisku, Adrian (2020). "Renegotiating the Empire, Forging the Nation-State: The Albanian Case through the Political Economic Thought of Ismail Qemali, Fan Noli, and Luigj Gurakuqi, c. 1890–1920s". Nationalities Papers. 48 (1): 158–174. doi:10.1017/nps.2018.52. ISSN 0090-5992. S2CID 211344809.
  2. ^ Elsie, Robert (19 March 2010). Historical Dictionary of Albania. Scarecrow Press. p. 178. ISBN 9780810873803. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
  3. ^ Skendi, Stavro (1967). The Albanian national awakening. Princeton: Princeton University Press. p. 459. ISBN 9781400847761.
  4. ^ a b Sherer, Stan (1997). Long life to your children!: a portrait of High Albania. University of Massachusetts Press. p. 20. ISBN 1-55849-097-3.
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