Musine Kokalari was born 108 years ago in Adana, Turkey. Her family later returned to Albania, settling in Gjirokastër, where she completed her primary education. Nine years later, they moved to Tirana, where she graduated from the “Queen Mother” high school in 1937. She then pursued higher studies at the University of Rome, Italy, graduating with distinction in 1941.

In 1939, she published her first book, Seç më thotë nëna plakë (What My Old Mother Tells Me). In 1943, alongside fellow intellectuals, she founded the Social Democratic Party. A year later, she spearheaded the publication of the first issue of Zëri i Lirisë (The Voice of Freedom). In 1944, she published her second book, Rreth vatrës (Around the Hearth). However, on November 12 of the same year, her brothers, Muntaz and Vesim Kokalari, were executed.

Four days later, Musine was arrested and imprisoned for 17 days. In January 1945, she released her third book, Sa u tund jeta (How Life Shook). On January 23, 1946, she was arrested again by the People’s Defense forces and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Released in 1961, she was exiled to Rrëshen, where she lived under strict surveillance and retired with a reduced pension. In 1981, she was diagnosed with cancer, and two years later, in 1983, she passed away.

A decade after her death, in 1993, she was posthumously awarded the title “Martyr of Democracy.“

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