Aleksandër Stavre Drenova, commonly known by the pen name Asdreni, was an Albanian poet, rilindas, translator, writer and the author of the poem which later became the national anthem of Albania. He is regarded as one of the most influential Albanian writers of the 20th century and composed most of his Albanian Renaissance-inspired known works during that period.
Naim bey Frashëri, more commonly Naim Frashëri, was an Albanian historian, journalist, poet, rilindas and translator who was proclaimed as the national poet of Albania. He is regarded as a pioneer of modern Albanian literature and one of the most influential Albanian cultural icons of the 19th century.
Mid'hat Bey Frashëri was an Albanian diplomat, writer and politician. The son of Abdyl Frashëri, one of the most important activists of the Albanian National Awakening in 1908 he participated in the Congress of Monastir. In 1942 he became the president of Balli Kombëtar, an Albanian fascist collaborationist and anti-communist movement during the Second World War. Frashëri is referred to as one of the fathers of modern Albanian nationalism.
Aleks Çaçi was an Albanian author of the socialist realism period.
Sport in Albania revolves mostly around team sports, such as football, basketball, volleyball and handball. Other sports includes boxing, weightlifting, tennis, swimming, judo, karate, athletics, table tennis, rugby, cricket, and chess. Football in particular has seen a rapid transformation, with the Albania national football team making its debut at the 1964 UEFA European Football Championship. The national football team also qualified for the 2016 UEFA European Football Championship. Many Albanian athletes have also achieved significant success and have won European and Mediterranean titles in numerous sports during the years, such as wrestling, football, athletics and weightlifting. Albanian athletes have won a total 49 medals for Albania in 8 different Mediterranean sports. Albania has had some success in others sport such as volleyball and basketball as well.
The Qemal Stafa Stadium, named after Qemal Stafa (1920–1942), a World War II hero, was a national stadium and the largest football stadium in Tirana, Albania. Construction started in 1939 and the stadium was inaugurated in 1946 for the Balkan Cup, which was won by the Albania national football team. The stadium has been used for football matches of the Albanian Superliga and the national team, athletic events, and the six Albanian Spartakiads. Although it was enlarged in 1974 to accommodate up to 35,000 spectators, in the 1990s it became an all-seater stadium, and its capacity was reduced to 19,700.
Arben Minga was an Albanian professional footballer, who played as a striker and later in his final years as a centre-back.
Football is the most popular sport in Albania, both at a participatory and spectator level. The sport is governed by the Football Association of Albania (FSHF).
The Albanian Declaration of Independence was the declaration of independence of Albania from the Ottoman Empire. Independent Albania was proclaimed in Vlorë on 28 November 1912. Six days later the Assembly of Vlorë formed the first Government of Albania which was led by Ismail Qemali and the Council of Elders (Pleqnia).
Qazim Dervishi was the first Albanian international referee and a talented athlete and footballer. He was born in 1908 in the city of Shkodër in a noble family of the time. In his honour the sports arena of Shkodër is now called Qazim Dervishi Sports Palace.
Refik Shaban Resmja was an Albanian professional footballer.
Stivi Frashëri is an Albanian professional footballer who as a goalkeeper for Ballkani in the Kosovar Superliga.
Perlat Musta is an Albanian former football goalkeeper. He has been considered by many pundits in Albania as one of the greatest goalkeepers in Albania. In December 2018 he was honoured for his services to Albanian football, alongside Edvin Murati and Qamil Teliti.
Dhimitër Shuteriqi was an Albanian scholar, literary historian, and writer. He participated in the anti-fascist National Liberation Movement. After the war, he was a member of the People's Assembly and one of the founders and later president of the Albanian League of Writers and Artists. In addition to a series of books and novels, he has published numerous volumes of textbooks, especially those on the History of Albanian Literature for high schools.
Llazar Siliqi was a notable Albanian poet. His poetic profile was influenced by the work of Mayakovsky.
Skënder Petro Luarasi was an Albanian scholar, writer and anti-fascist activist.
Astrit Hafizi is a former Albanian footballer and coach of Vllaznia, as well as coach of Albania for a two years span (1997–1999).
Petraq Zoto was an Albanian writer. He is mostly known for his collection of stories, and books targeting children and young readers.
Stefanaq Pollo was an Albanian academic, professor and historian during Communist Albania.
The village of Frashër in southern Albania saw the emergence of several notable families in the history of Albania. They contributed to the independence of Albania throughout military actions but also in literature and politics. The most notable of these families are the family to which belonged Naim Frashëri, national poet of Albania.
