Branko Merxhani | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1894 (1894) |
| Died | 25 December 1981(1981-12-25) (aged 86–87) |
| Pen name | Baha Özler, Ali Pazar |
| Occupation | journalist, translator, publisher |
Aleksandër Merxhani (1894–1981), mostly known asBranko Merxhani, was anAlbanian intellectual,sociologist, writer, journalist andliterary critic. He was one of the most important cultural figures of the pre-World War II in Albania, publisher ofPërpjekja shqiptare. During the '30s he developed an ideological program namedNeo-Albanianism (Albanian:Neo-shqiptarisma),[1] which he developed being heavily influenced byTurkishsociologistZiya Gökalp.[2]
Originating fromSopik ofPogonkaza, his father was ajudge inNish, where he married with a local and Branko was born there.[3] It is thought that his mother or his governess was German.[4] After the Ottoman authorities relocated his father, he followed the German lyceum inBursa, studied philosophy in theOttoman Empire and followed his studies in Austria. Afterthe triumph ofAtatürk, he returned and worked as a journalist inAnkara's press. Afterwards he returned inAlbania for property issues in his village of origin.[3]
He settled inGjirokastër, where he worked with theDemokratia magazine published by Jorgji Meksi,[3] and along withVangjel Koça,[1] it was through its pages that he first presented his ideological program, known asNeo-shqiptarisma.[5] At 1930 he went to Tirana where he started publishing a magazine named after his ideological program,Neo-shqiptarisma, but it lasted for only one issue.[6] He started writing articles forIllyria magazine run byKarl Gurakuqi; their collaboration went on from March 1934 until 1936.[1] From December 1935 he collaborated with theNew Time (Albanian:Koha e Re) along with Suat Asllani,Petro Marko, Koça andTajar Zavalani; but after 13 issues the journal stopped being published.[7] In October 1936 he started to publishThe Albanian Endeavour (Albanian:Përpjekja shqiptare).[1]
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