At Gjergj Fishta was born 154 years ago, on October 23, 1871, in the village of Fishtë, Zadrima.

People call him the Homer of Albanian literature.

He began his education at the Franciscan Seminary of Shkodra and continued his studies in Bosnia, focusing on philosophy and theology. Fishta became the first Albanian to direct the Franciscan School. He introduced the Albanian language as the main teaching language there.

As a member of the “Bashkimi” society, he joined the Congress of Manastir and led the Alphabet Commission.

In 1913, he founded the literary and cultural magazine Hylli i Dritës. During World War I, he and Luigj Gurakuqi created the Literary Commission to build a unified national language.

In 1920, he served as Secretary General of the Albanian delegation at the Paris Peace Conference. That same year, voters elected him as a deputy of Shkodra. He also took part in the June Revolution of 1924.

Fishta made major contributions to education, literature, and religion. In 1931, the state awarded him the “Foenix” decoration, and in 1939, the Italian Academy made him a member. His epic poem Lahuta e Malcis secured his place in Albanian culture. He spent 40 years writing it.

At Gjergj Fishta died in Shkodra on December 30, 1940.

Authorities have turned his house into a museum. It stands as one of Albania’s most treasured cultural monuments and keeps alive the memory of the poet’s early life.

Throughout October, institutions have organized literary, cultural, and artistic events in his honor.

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