Gjergj Fishta

Gjergj Fishta Gjergj Fishta (born October 23, 1871 in Zadrima, December 30, 1940 in Shkodër) is a poet and interpreter of Albanian independence activist, Catholic priest.

Fishta was a Franciscan. During his studies in philosophy and theology, he was a friend of Bosnia. with the prominent Croatian poet Silvije Kranjčevic. This friendship resulted in Fishty's literary ambitions and interest in his own language and literary tradition.

After returning to Albania, he lectured at the seminary in Troshani and then took up the duties of the parish priest at Gomsiqe. From 1902 Fishta was the director of the Franciscan School in Shkodër. Both through his work as a teacher and through his literary work, Fisht has had a tremendous influence on the development of Albanian literary language in his Georgian (North Albanian) form.

In 1908 he chaired the congress in Monastir, where he presented his own proposal to unify the Albanian alphabet. Literary work began with the letter "Albania" published by Faika Konica.

Since 1913 he has been writing "Hylli and Dritës" (The Star of Light), mainly dealing with literary subjects, but also folklore, politics and history. The periodical was published until 1944, ie until the occupation of Albania by the Communists, becoming a very important and influential element of the cultural landscape of Northern Albania during the interwar period.

The most important works of Fishy are the poem Lahuta e malcís (Mountain Gęśle), ed. in Shkodr in 1937, a panoramic view of Albanian society on the eve of regaining independence. Called the "Albanian Iliad" this poem is one of the most outstanding works of Albanian literature. He was also a translator, translated into Albanian, among others. Moliere's songs.

In the years 1919-1931 he was active in politics. He was part of an Albanian delegation at the Versailles Conference. In the years 1920-1924 he sat in the Albanian Parliament as a deputy. In the years 1930-1931 he represented Albania at the conferences of the Balkan states. After the communist takeover, Fishta was considered a collaborator, collaborating with the Italian occupier, and his corpse was removed from the grave. They were found only during the renovation of the Franciscan church in Shkodër. The funeral took place in December 1996. In 2002 he was awarded posthumously the Order of Honor of Nation (Nderi and Kombit). Bibliography Authoritative control (person):

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