Ali Asllani is undoubtedly among the most prominent personalities of Albanian poetry, especially in the years after the period of national independence and in recent times. He entered Albanian literature as a late renaissance. Ali Asllani was born in November 1884 in Vajza, of Vlora District. He was an Albanian poet, politician and activist of the Albanian National Awakening.

He was educated in Ioannina (Zosimaia School) and Istanbul and started working as public servant in the Ottoman administration. He is remembered for his song Hanko Halla (English: Aunt Jane).He collaborated with Ismail Qemali and his Provisional Government. In 1930s he represented Albania as consul in Greece and Bulgaria.

His poetic voice appeared fully in Albanian literary life, in the 20s-30s, when Andon Z. Çajupi, Ndre Mjeda, Gjergj Fishta, Asdreni, Fan S. Noli, Mitrush Kuteli were still writing, when their creativity had already begun: Ernest Koliqi, Et’hem Haxhiademi, Ramiz Harxhi, Lasgush Poradeci, etc.

In this general framework of our literary life, Ali Asllani’s poetry stands out for the originality and authenticity of its voice. It is a special poet, another beautiful voice, that joins the general chorus, the true Albanian poetry of that time.

/k.s/