197 years ago, one of the most important personalities of Arbëresh culture and pen, the poet Gavril Dara (Junior), was born.

Gavril Dara was born in Palac Adriano in Sicily, in a prominent Arbëresh family. He took his first lessons at the Arborist Seminary in Palermo. Years later, he defended his doctorate in law.

In 1858 he published the literary notebook “Renewal of Life” (Palingenesi) and years later (1871-1874) he directed the newspaper “La Riforma”, which was published in Rome.

In 1864, he wrote a poem of 1300 lines, which was titled “Ana Maria”. His passion was poetry and folklore. He left in manuscript one of the masterpieces of our literature, “Bala’s Song of the Spring”, which was published in 1906.

Gavril Dara dealt with linguistics, philosophy and archaeology. He passed away, in Girgeti, on November 15, 1895.

/a.s./