On the 74th anniversary of his death, today, the National History Museum commemorated Mid’hat Frashëri (1880-1949), the publicist, writer, translator, Albanologist, diplomat, and activist of the Albanian national issue.

Mid’hat Frashëri was born in Ioannina in 1880 and was the son of Abdyl Frashëri, a prominent Albanian patriot. Mid’hat Frashëri is also known by the nicknames “Lumo Skëndo” and “Mali Kokojka.” He received his initial education from Naim and Sami Frashëri. Under their influence, he acquired a broad knowledge and mastered several foreign languages. In 1908, he founded the newspaper “Liria” in Thessaloniki. From 1897 to 1928, he intermittently published the magazine “Kalendari Kombiar.” In 1909, he also published the magazine “Diturija” in Thessaloniki, Constanta, and Tirana.

These magazines covered topics related to the historical, linguistic, folklore, and traditions of the Albanian people. Mid’hat Frashëri was involved in a broad range of literary, cultural, and political activities.

At the Congress of Manastir in 1908, he was elected chairman and appointed to the Alphabet Commission. He also participated in the National Assembly of Vlora on November 28, 1912. In the Provisional Government of Vlora, he served as the Minister of World Affairs. During Prince Vid’s reign, he assumed the role of Minister of Posts and World Affairs. Throughout the First World War, he resided in various European countries. In 1918, he was appointed as a minister in Turhan Pashë Përmet’s government and became a member of the official Albanian delegation to the Peace Conference in Paris.

From 1923 to 1925, he served as the Minister Plenipotentiary of Albania in Athens. During his tenure, Mid’hat Frashëri strongly protested against the forced displacement of Muslim Albanians from Chameria by the Greek government. Between 1926 and 1939, he established the ‘Lumo Skëndo’ bookstore in Tirana. During the Second World War, he played a pivotal role in organizing the National Front. After the war, he initially went to Italy and later to London, where he founded the ‘Free Albania’ Committee.

He passed away in New York on October 3, 1949.

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