On 11 July 1930, Albania lost one of its most prominent patriots and playwrights of the National Renaissance, Andon Zako Çajupi.

Born Andon Çako in Zagoria, he later adopted the pen name “Çajupi,” inspired by Mount Çajup in his homeland. After early education, he joined his father, an activist in the national movement, and later studied law in Geneva, Switzerland.

Çajupi practiced law in Cairo before dedicating himself fully to the patriotic cause of the Albanian Diaspora in Egypt. He became a leading figure in the community’s cultural and national efforts.

His best-known work is the poetry collection “Baba Tomorri” [Father Tomorr] (1902), which also includes the satirical comedy “Fourteen Years Old Bridegroom”. Other published works include “La Fontaine’s Fables” (1921), adapted into Albanian, and “Flowers of India” (1922), a selection of Sanskrit poetry. His sharp pen also stood out in journalism, notably with the political pamphlet “The Thessaloniki Club” (1909).

/a.p./