Today, Albania commemorates Hasan Prishtina, a leading activist of the Albanian National Renaissance. He shaped the vision of a democratic Albanian state. Moreover, he inspired the liberation of Kosovo and its unification with Albania.

Prishtina was born in 1873. First, he studied at a French high school in Thessaloniki. Then, he attended the “Mylkije” administrative school in Istanbul. Later, he was elected three times to the Ottoman Parliament. There, he actively defended Albanian national rights.

In 1912, Prishtina joined Ismail Qemali and other patriots to start the anti-Ottoman uprising. He served as a minister in the Provisional Government of Vlorë. Later, in September 1913, he organized the Albanian uprising against the Serbian state. During 1916–1918, he collaborated with Austro-Hungarian authorities to push Kosovo’s unification with Albania.

Prishtina also led the Committee for the National Defense of Kosovo. In 1921, he became a deputy in the National Council. In December 1921, he briefly led the Albanian government. Then, from 1922 to 1933, he opposed Ahmet Zogu’s rule. During this time, he promoted the principle: “Without Kosovo, there is no Albania.”

Finally, Hasan Prishtina was assassinated in Thessaloniki on August 14, 1933. Later, in 1977, his remains were reburied in Kukës, Albania.

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