The National Historical Museum commemorated today the 75th anniversary of the passing of Mid’hat Frashëri (1880-1949), a prominent publicist, writer, translator, Albanologist, diplomat, and advocate for the Albanian national cause.

Born in 1880 in Janina, Mid’hat Frashëri was the son of renowned Albanian patriot Abdyl Frashëri. He is also known by the pseudonyms “Lumo Skëndo” and “Mali Kokojka.” His early education was overseen by his uncles, Naim and Sami Frashëri, whose influence enriched his cultural knowledge and enabled him to master several foreign languages. In 1908, he founded the newspaper “Liria” in Thessaloniki and published the magazine “Kalendari Kombiar” intermittently from 1897 to 1928. In 1909, he launched the magazine “Diturija” in Thessaloniki, Constanța, and Tirana, which addressed significant historical, linguistic, folkloric, and traditional issues pertinent to the Albanian people.

Mid’hat Frashëri actively engaged in literary, cultural, and political spheres. He was elected chairperson at the Congress of Monastir in 1908 and appointed to the Alphabet Commission.

He participated in the National Assembly of Vlorë on November 28, 1912, and served as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Provisional Government of Vlorë. During the reign of Prince Zog, he held the position of Minister of Posts and Foreign Affairs.

Throughout World War I, he resided in various parts of Europe. In 1918, he was appointed minister in the government of Turhan pasha Përmeti and represented Albania at the Peace Conference in Paris. From 1923 to 1925, he served as Albania’s plenipotentiary minister in Athens.

During his tenure, Mid’hat Frashëri protested the forced displacement of Muslim Albanians from Çameri by the Greek government. Between 1926 and 1939, he established the “Lumo Skëndo” bookstore in Tirana. During World War II, he led the National Front organization. Following the war, he initially relocated to Italy and later to London, where he founded the “Free Albania” Committee.

Mid’hat Frashëri passed away in New York on October 3, 1949.

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