The National Historical Museum commemorated today the activities of the National Renaissance figure, Hasan Tahsini (1811-1881), a philosopher, astronomer, mathematician, and psychologist.

He was born in the village of Mina in Chameria (Saranda), where he received his initial education. He continued his studies at one of the most renowned madrasas in Istanbul. He was appointed the first rector of the newly established University of Istanbul in 1870. Hasan Tahsini’s efforts to disseminate scientific knowledge, which conflicted with the views of state and religious authorities of the time, were noted; he was dismissed from his position as rector and expelled from the University.

Hasan Tahsini was one of the most active figures of the National Renaissance. As early as the 1860s, in collaboration with other patriots like Kostandin Kristoforidhi, he began to think and act towards the creation of societies that would work to spread knowledge among Albanians and to draft a new alphabet for the Albanian language. Hasan Tahsini was persecuted and imprisoned for his patriotic activities by fanatics and narrow-minded individuals, but he did not waver from his scientific beliefs or his path toward cultural development and the affirmation of Albanians’ national demands.

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