On September 13, 1907, Dhimitër Pasko, also known as Mitrush Kuteli, was born.

Kuteli was an economist, financier, writer, translator, journalist, and folklorist, who gathered and preserved the Albanian spirit across centuries and regions.

Immortalized by his pen name, Mitrush Kuteli is less known for his work in the banking sector, where he served as a technical consultant for the Bank of Albania from 1943. Despite his considerable expertise as an economist and financier, he gained public recognition primarily through his distinguished contributions in journalism, literature, and translation.

His early poetry includes “Mëmës Shqipëri” and “Skënderbeu,” while “Tregime të moçme shqiptare” is his most successful work, highlighting the invaluable treasures of Albanian folklore.

Kuteli was also a collector of Albanian folklore from various regions and periods.

Noted for his democratic views, he could not escape the iron fist of the dictatorship. In 1947, he was imprisoned on charges of being an enemy of the people and sentenced to five years of imprisonment.

The conditions following his release prevented him from publishing, thus depriving him of the opportunity to express his literary talent.

Among his most notable works are: “Ago Jakupi e të tjera rrëfime,” “Kapllan Aga i Shaban Shpatës,” “Xinxifillua,” “Tregime të moçme shqiptare,” “E madhe është gjëma e mëkatit,” “Në një cep të Ilirisë së Poshtme,” “Baltë nga kjo tokë,” and others. He also translated works by Turgenev, Gorky, Gogol, and Neruda into Albanian. Kuteli passed away at the age of 60 on May 4, 1967.

The Academy of Sciences awarded him the high title “Honor of the Academy” for his rich legacy to Albanian civilization.

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