Dhimitër Tutulani | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1857-03-19)19 March 1857 |
| Died | 1937(1937-00-00) (aged 79–80) |
| Nationality | Albanian |
| Other names | Dhimitraq Tutulani |
| Occupation(s) | Lawyer, politician |
| Known for | Albanian Declaration of Independence Congress of Berat, 1922 |
| Spouse | Marie Nova |
| Children | Miltiadh Tutulani (Son) |
Dhimitër Tutulani (19 March 1857 – 1937), also known asTaq Tutulani orDhimitraq Tutulani, was an Albanian lawyer and politician from city ofBerat. He was one of the signatories of theAlbanian Declaration of Independence.[1][2]
Dhimitër Tutulani was born in theGoricë neighbourhood ofBerat, on 19 March 1857, in a relatively richAromanian family.[3] His family roots originated fromVithkuq, nearKorçë, having been settled there after they leftVoskopojë. Tutulani family had settled to Berat and since then had been merchants. Certain old toponyms in Berat, i.e. "Ara e Tutulanëve" (Tutulani's field) or "Çezma e Tutulanit" (Tutulani's drinking fountain) give hints on the economical state and prestige of the family.
After finishing the first studies in his home town, he finished theZosimea high school inYannina where he learned several foreign languages, and later studied at theUniversity of Athens where he graduated in jurisprudence. During his studies he got in touch with the philosophies ofIlluminism andHumanism, which had been the precursors of the freedom movements throughout theBalkans. Tutulani returned home and opened alaw firm, working as a lawyer. He married Marie Nova from theKala neighborhood of the town. The couple had a son and two daughters.
Tutulani joined the intellectual and patriotic circles in Berat, cooperating withJorgji (Dudë) Karbunara, Sulo Resuli, Llambi Goxhomani, Jorgji Manushi,Nyzhet Vrioni. On 22 December 1908, the patriotic club "Bashkimi" ("The Union"), opened in Berat, being one of the many with the same name among Albanian towns and colonies. The club gathered patriotic elements from various social groups, which performed patriotic activities while being masked as cultural ones. Tutulani would soon become one of the strongest and more eloquent voices inside the club.
In 1911, the Committee of Albanians for Defending the National Rights (Albanian:Komiteti i Shqiptarëve për Mbrojtjen e të Drejtave Kombëtare) was formed in Berat. It was led by a Consulting Counsel (Albanian:Pleqësia Këshillonjëse), while on 23 July 1912 theAssembly of Sinjë would take place. The Assembly went along with theAlbanian Revolt of 1912 and came out with political demands, including the Autonomy of Albania. Tutulani's active role in all events brought him to being chosen as a delegate at theAssembly of Vlora together with Jorgji Karbunara andIliaz Vrioni, which would culminate with the Albanian Declaration of Independence on 28 November 1912. Tutulani was a signatory, signing asDh. Tout.
Six years later, in December 1918, he was elected delegate of Berat at theCongress of Durrës which took place during 25–27 December. The congress was a serious endeavor in establishing a continuity in the newly created Albanian state afterWorld War I, and came out with a provisional government. Two years later, he was again delegate, this time at theCongress of Lushnje which would establish the territorial and political sovereignty of Albania.
Tutulani has left traces in the social and cultural perspective as well. He was a delegate at theCongress of Berat. This time the congress was about the declaration of theOrthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania. It was held on 10 September 1922 inside a school in theMangalem neighborhood.Fan Noli and other patriotic religious (orthodox) figures came out with the decision which disconnect the Albanian church from theChurch of Constantinople, and the Albanian orthodox population from the Greek influence under the moto '"Free church in a free state"' (Albanian:"Kishë e lirë në shtet të lirë"). Tutulani served for 35 years as member ofDhimogjerondia in theMetropolis of Berat until his death.
He also server in a few public positions. In 1923 he was elected vice prefect, and in January 1925 he becamemayor of Berat. In the first local elections of the town, held in May 1922, he was a member of the Election Commission. In 1930, he was voted as Permanent Council Members from the Municipal Assembly of Berat. He also served in civic administrative organizations.
Tutulani died in his beloved town of Berat, having written awill stating that part of his wealth should go to the town, for improving education, infrastructure, and helping those in need.
Dhimiter Tutulani was the father ofMiltiadh Tutulani, member of Albanian Senate 1922-1923, Albanian Minister of Justice ofAhmet Zogu's government September 1925 - September 1928, Minister of Finances ofKoço Kota's governments of September 1928 - January 1929, and January 1929 - March 1930, and Minister of Justice ofPandeli Evangjeli's government of January 1933 - October 1935.[4]
His grandson and granddaughterKristaq &Margarita Tutulani were nationalist and anti-fascist activists duringWorld War II, and were arrested, tortured, and execute by theItalians in theGosë village nearKavajë in July 1943. Both are awarded "People's Hero" (Albanian:Hero i Popullit).[5]
Gjyshi i tyre, avokat Dhimitër Tutulani, si delegat i Beratit, ishte një ndër firmëtarët e Aktit të Pavarësisë në Vlorë në 28 Nëntor 1912. Ndërsa i ati, Miltiadh Tutulani, edhe ky jurist, në vitet 1922-1933 ishte deputet i parlamentit shqiptar, ndërsa si ministrër i Drejtësisë dhe Financave, kontribuoi për hartimin e ligjeve të shtetit më të ri në Europë në ato vite deri sa vdiq në 1933..
...Të dy u rreshtuan në frontin antifashit në qarkorin e Beratit ku zhvilluan aktivitete për të tërhequr në luftë masat e rinisë dhe grave. Pas kapjes së tyre të papritur në lagjen Mangalem në Berat në 4 korrik, që ka mbetur edhe sot pas 68 vitesh një mister, iu nënshtruan torturave nga më makabret në qelitë e SIM-it fashist italian në Berat, pa u dorëzuar. Ekzekutimi i tyre u urdhërua dhe egzekutua në 6 Korrik 1943.