Luigj Gurakuqi
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Luigj Gurakuqi
Luigj Gurakuqi (February 19, 1879 – March 2, 1925) was an important figure of the Albanian national movement. Born in Shkodėr on February 19, 1879, Gurakuqi started his studies there, and he finished them at the University of Naples in Italy, where he was also a student of Jeronim De Rada. He was also a poet and published under the pen name Cakin Shkodra and Lekė Gruda. He published articles in Albania, Drita, Kalendari-kombėtar, Liria e Shqipėrisė, and La Nazione Albanese.
In 1908, Gurakuqi returned to Albania and took an important role in the Albanian movement for independence. He took part at the Congress of Manastir, was the first principal of Shkolla Normale in Elbasan, and was the right-hand man of Ismail Qemali in the declaration of independence in 1912, and one of the leaders of the northern uprisings of 1911-1912.
Gurakuqi associated himself with Fan S. Noli, and against the forces of Ahmet Zogu. Gurakuqi was assassinated in Bari, Italy on March 2, 1925 by his cousin, Baltjon Stambolla, on behalf of the Zogu regime.
Various honors
Luigj Gurakuqi was given the titles Hero i Popullit (Hero of the People) and Mėsues i Popullit (Teacher of the People). There is also a university named after him in his hometown of Shkoder, Luigj Gurakuqi University of Shkodra.
References
This article was based partly on facts from [1] (http://www.letersia.fajtori.com/Letersi/E_Rilindjes/Luigj_Gurakuqi/index.php) and [2] (http://www.albasoul.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1372).