Center for Arbëresh Studies and Publications honored the 159th anniversary of the birth of Zef Skiroi, a distinguished Arbëresh poet, ethnographer, and publicist.

Zef Skiroi born in Hora e Arbëreshëve (Piana degli Albanesi) on August 10, 1865 and passed away in Naples on February 17, 1927, was a renowned poet, linguist, folklorist, ethnographer, journalist, and publicist of the Arbëresh community.

At just 9 years old, Skiroi wrote a poem dedicated to Skanderbeg, setting the stage for his future works. He studied at the Albanian Seminary in Palermo, where he immersed himself in both Albanian traditions and classical literature (Dante, Cervantes, Goethe, Schiller, etc.).

In 1887, Skiroi, alongside Françesk Peta, founded the magazine “Arbëri i Ri” (New Arbër) in Palermo and published his first poetry collection.

He completed his law studies in 1890 and was appointed as a lecturer in ancient literature at the “Liceo Garibaldi” in Palermo. At 35, he secured the Chair of Albanian Language and Literature at the Royal Oriental Institute of Naples, continuing his Albanological work with publications, lectures, and conference participation. His major works include “Mili e Hajdhia”, (Mili and Hajdhia) “Te dheu i huaj” (Foreign Soil), and Mino.

/a.p./