-On January 22, 1718, in the Pergola Theater in Florence, the opera “Skanderbeg” was played for the first time, with a libretto by Antonio Salvi, and music by Antonio Vivaldi. The work was found in the National Library of Rome by the Albanian Friar, Father Vincens Malaj.

-On January 22, 1828, Elena Gjika was born in Costanza, Romania, to parents who came from South Albania. She studied in Vienna, Dresden, and Berlin. She married the Russian Prince Aleksander Masalski, entering the upper layers of the aristocracy in Petersburg. In 1855 she divorced from him and started a new independent life in Western Europe; in Belgium, Switzerland, and Italy. She adopted the nickname Dora D’Istria, with which she wrote her writings. She worked and fought with the belief that she would see Albania free and independent. She closed her eyes on November 17, 1888.

-On January 22, 1913, the Problem of Shkodra was put up for discussion at the Conference of Ambassadors. The meeting did not bring any new developments to the fate of the city. Russia continued to adhere to its intransigent position, supporting Montenegro, again claiming the River Drin as a border between the countries. Austria-Hungary opposed this request arguing with the impossibility of devidng Shkodër from the territories that surrounded it.

-As the Great Powers appointed Prince Wilhelm Von Wied to govern Albania, the Government of Vlora headed by Ismail Qemali, first Prime Minister of independent Albania, gave consent for his arrival in the country. This would pave the way for a new political development of Albania as well as its security, on January 22, 1914, Ismail Qemali resigned and handed over the power to the International Control Commission established in the country.

-On January 22, 1919, Ismail Qemali leaves for Italy to meet with the Italian Prime Minister to enable the adding up of Albanian delegates to the Peace Conference in Paris after WWI.

/a.p./