The 74th anniversary of the death of Mid’hat Frashëri, a prominent figure in Albania’s history, was commemorated by the National Historical Museum this Tuesday.
Born in Janina in 1880, Mid’hat Frashëri was the son of Abdyl Frashëri, a notable Albanian patriot. He was also known by his pseudonyms, “Lumo Skëndo” and “Mali Kokojka”.
His early education was guided by Naim and Sami Frashëri, from whom he gained a broad education and fluency in several foreign languages.
In 1908, he founded the newspaper “Liria” in Thessaloniki. Between 1897 and 1928, he published the magazine “Kalendari Kombiar” intermittently. In 1909, he launched the magazine “Diturija” in Thessaloniki, Constanța, and Tirana.
These publications addressed significant historical, linguistic, folkloric, and cultural topics related to Albanian traditions. Mid’hat Frashëri was deeply involved in literary, cultural, and political activities.
He played a pivotal role in the Congress of Monastir in 1908, where he was elected as chairman and appointed to the Alphabet Commission.
On November 28, 1912, he participated in the National Assembly of Vlora. In the Provisional Government of Vlora, he served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. During Prince Wied’s reign, he held the position of Minister of Posts and Publications.
Throughout World War I, he lived in various European countries. In 1918, he was named a Minister in Turhan Pasha Përmeti’s government and was a member of the official Albanian delegation at the Peace Conference in Paris.
From 1923 to 1925, he served as Albania’s Minister in Athens. During this time, Mid’hat Frashëri protested against the Greek government’s forced displacement of Muslim Albanians from Chameria.
Between 1926 and 1939, he established the “Lumo Skëndo” library in Tirana. During World War II, he led the National Front organization. After the war, he initially moved to Italy and later to London, where he founded the “Free Albania” Committee.
Mid’hat Frashëri passed away in New York on October 3, 1949, leaving behind a lasting legacy in Albania’s history.
