101 years ago, Prof. Jup Kastrati was born. He remains one of the most important figures in Albanological studies.

He was born in Shkodër on April 15, 1924. He passed away on September 22, 2003.

In 60 years of work, he produced around 40 scientific books. He wrote over 1,000 articles and studies—about 20,000 published pages. He also left behind 5,000 pages of correspondence with local and foreign writers and scholars. Six more of his works are set to be published soon.

He contributed across major fields in Albanology. These include bibliography, philology, textbook writing for higher education, linguistics, literary criticism, and translation.

He deeply studied the life and work of Jeronim De Rada. He also explored Arbëresh literature in great detail.

He co-founded the Higher Pedagogical Institute of Shkodër on September 2, 1957. He strongly advocated for the creation of the University of Shkodër.

He received many honors and titles. These include “Teacher of the People” (1987), “Great Master of Work” (April 15, 1999), and “Honorary Citizen of Shkodër” (2002).

His name appears in The Bright Minds of the 21st Century, published by the American Biographical Institute.