Luigj Gurakuqi | |
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.jpg) Gurakuqi, 1910s | |
| Born | (1879-02-19)19 February 1879 Shkodër,Scutari Vilayet,Ottoman Empire (nowAlbania) |
| Died | 2 March 1925(1925-03-02) (aged 46) Bari,Kingdom of Italy |
| Pen name | Jakin Shkodra, Lekë Gruda |
| Occupation | Writer, journalist, politician |
| Period | 1900–1925 |
| Literary movement | Albanian National Revival |
| Notable awards |  Hero of the People |
| Signature | |
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Luigj Gurakuqi (19 February 1879 – 2 March 1925), also calledLouis Gurakuchi, was anAlbanian writer and politician. He was an important figure of theAlbanian National Awakening and was honored with thePeople's Hero of Albania medal.[1]
Gurakuqi was born to aCatholic family in Shkodër, avilayet center of theOttoman Empire at the time, on February 19,1879. He studied at theJesuit-runSt. Xavier College[2] He was also a poet and published under the pen nameJakin Shkodra andLekë Gruda. He published articles inAlbania,Drita,Kalendari-kombëtar,Liria e Shqipërisë, andLa Nazione Albanese.
By September 1912, Gurakuqi andIsmail Kemal traveled toBucharest to consult with the largeAlbanian diaspora regarding Albanian geopolitical issues.[3]
In 1924 Gurakuqi was one of the leaders of the revolution that overthrew the regime ofAhmet Zogu and established a democratic government.Fan S. Noli became the new prime minister, while Luigj Gurakuqi was part of the new cabinet as Minister of Economy and Finance.[4]
After the restoration of the Zogist regime, Gurakuqi lived inBari, Italy, where he was murdered in a café by Balto Stambolla.[4]
Balto Stambolla was extradited back to his homeland in 1942 during the Italian occupation of Albania, by a personal request fromMustafa Merlika-Kruja. He then ordered the prison guards ofFier to murder Stambolla. This was done in order to avenge Gurakuqi.[5]
Luigj Gurakuqi was awarded the titlesHero i Popullit (Hero of the People) andMësues i Popullit (Teacher of the People). A statue of him stands in the center ofShkodër.
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