Idhomene Kosturi

Last updated

Idhomene Jovan Kosturi
Idhomene Kosturi.jpg
Prime Minister of Albania (acting)
In office
12 December 1921 –24 December 1921
Preceded by Hasan Prishtina
Succeeded by Omer Vrioni
Personal details
Born 15 May 1873
Korçë, Ottoman Empire
Died 5 November 1943
Durrës, Albania
Relations Jovan Kosturi (father)
Spiro Kosturi (brother)
Occupation Merchant, politician

Idhomene Jovan Kosturi (1873 – 5 November 1943), also known as Idhomeno Kosturi, was an Albanian politician, regent and once acting Prime Minister of Albania. [1] He would become the second representative of Albanian Orthodox population to become head of the Albanian government, after Pandeli Evangjeli. Kosturi was also among the contributors to the first Albanian teachers' school, the Shkolla Normale e Elbasanit, a teacher training institution that was founded on 1 December 1909 in Elbasan. [2]

Albanians people of Southeast Europe

The Albanians are an ethnic group native to the Balkan Peninsula and are identified by a common Albanian ancestry, culture, history and language. They primarily live in Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia as well as in Croatia, Greece and Italy. They also constitute a diaspora with several communities established in the Americas, Europe and Oceania.

A regent is a person appointed to govern a state because the monarch is a minor, is absent or is incapacitated. The rule of a regent or regents is called a regency. A regent or regency council may be formed ad hoc or in accordance with a constitutional rule. "Regent" is sometimes a formal title. If the regent is holding his position due to his position in the line of succession, the compound term prince regent is often used; if the regent of a minor is his mother, she is often referred to as "queen regent".

Prime Minister of Albania head of government of the Republic of Albania

The Prime Minister of Albania, officially styled the Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania, is the head of government of the Republic of Albania and as well the most powerful and influential person in Albanian politics. The Prime Minister holds the executive power of the nation and represents the Council of Ministers and chairs its meetings.

Contents

Life

Kosturi, son of Albanian patriot and activist Jovan Cico Kosturi was born in Korçë in south-eastern Albania, back then Ottoman Empire, on 15 May 1873.
Kosturi studied US and German history in Boston, MA, where he resided for several years. He became an American citizen. After his return home, being a polyglot and intellectual and having a patriotic family background, Kosturi joined the Albanian irredentist circles in the Manastir Vilayet. He was vice-chairman of the Secret Committee for the Liberation of Albania based in Bitola. He was a member and bookkeeper of the "Dituria" (Knowledge) society founded in Korçë, and led by Orhan Pojani. After a visit (1902) to Bucharest, Kosturi told Albanians in Korçë that the main concern of Dituria was to improve the Albanian boys school in the town through student attainment of higher grades, selecting better teachers and introducing new subjects. [3] In 1909, he participated as representative of "Dituria" in the Congress of Elbasan, where it was decided the opening of Shkolla Normale e Elbasanit. In 1912, his name appears again as member of the short-lived society "Shoqëria shkollore" (Scholastic society). [4] He was a strong supporter of the Albanian Orthodox Church autocephaly, and the fiorst Albanian church opened in Durrës in 1913. During the First World War he resided in Albania where he led his own cheta (guerrilla fighters) from 1914 to 1918. [5]

Jovan Cico Kosturi (1831-1924), also known as Jovan Kosturi, was involved in the Albanian National Awakening.

Korçë Municipality in Albania

Korçë is a city and municipality in southeastern Albania, and the seat of Korçë County. It was formed at the 2015 local government reform by the merger of the former municipalities Drenovë, Korçë, Lekas, Mollaj, Qendër Bulgarec, Vithkuq, Voskop and Voskopojë, that became municipal units. The seat of the municipality is the city Korçë. The total population is 75,994, in a total area of 805.99 km2 (311.19 sq mi). The population of the former municipality at the 2011 census was 51,152. It is the sixth largest city in Albania. It stands on a plateau some 850 m (2,789 ft) above sea level, surrounded by the Morava Mountains.

Ottoman Empire Former empire in Asia, Europe and Africa

The Ottoman Empire, historically known in Western Europe as the Turkish Empire or simply Turkey, was a state that controlled much of Southeast Europe, Western Asia and North Africa between the 14th and early 20th centuries. It was founded at the end of the 13th century in northwestern Anatolia in the town of Söğüt by the Oghuz Turkish tribal leader Osman I. After 1354, the Ottomans crossed into Europe, and with the conquest of the Balkans, the Ottoman beylik was transformed into a transcontinental empire. The Ottomans ended the Byzantine Empire with the 1453 conquest of Constantinople by Mehmed the Conqueror.

He continued the political involvement in the new Albanian state. In 1919, Kosturi was a delegate in the Congress of Durrës, following with hist participation in the Congress of Lushnje (1920). In 1920, he was elected Minister of Posts and Telegraphs. [6] During the institutional crisis of 1921 in Albania, he served shortly as Prime Minister of Albania, replacing the short-lived government of Hasan Prishtina. Meanwhile, Kosturi had built reputation and financial stability as a successful merchant. [7]
In 1922, he signed the order for expulsion of Greek Bishop Iakovos (an opponent of Albanian Orthodox Autocephaly) from Korçë. [8] He was a supporter of Fan Noli during the June Revolution of 1924. Kosturi was Deputy Prime Minister in Noli's government of 1924. After the suppression of June Revolution and rise in power of Ahmet Zogu, he went in exile and joined Noli's KONARE (Revolutionary National Committee). [5]

Congress of Durrës

The Congress of Durrës was a conference of Albanian political leaders, held from December 25 to December 27, 1918, in Durrës, at the time capital of the Principality of Albania.

Hasan Prishtina Albanian politician

Hasan Prishtina, originally known as Hasan Berisha, was an Albanian politician, who served as the 8th Prime Minister of Albania in December 1921.

June Revolution

Albanian Orthodox leader Fan Noli's supporters blamed the murder of Avni Rustemi on Ahmet Zogu's Mati clansmen, who continued to practice blood vengeance. After the walkout, discontent mounted, and in June 1924 a peasant-backed insurgency had won control of Tirana. The June Revolution resulted in Noli becoming prime minister, and Zogu's flight to Yugoslavia.

Kosturi returned into Albanian political life on 1 October 1943, as a representative of Korçë region, and the same year was elected to lead the Commission for Mandate Verification, later Chairman of Constitutional Assembly of Albania on 25 October 1943. As a chairman, he declared as "void" all laws and legal act approved during 7 April 1939 and September 1943. Thus the "Personal unification" between Albania and Italy (established on 12 April 1939) came to an end. He declared the official Albanian neutrality in World War II. [5]

Italian invasion of Albania


The Italian invasion of Albania was a brief military campaign by the Kingdom of Italy against the Albanian Kingdom. The conflict was a result of the imperialist policies of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. Albania was rapidly overrun, its ruler, King Zog I, forced into exile, and the country made part of the Italian Empire as a separate kingdom in personal union with the Italian crown.

Armistice of Cassibile armistice between the Kingdom of Italy and the Allies

The Armistice of Cassibile was an armistice signed on 3 September 1943 by Walter Bedell Smith and Giuseppe Castellano, and made public on 8 September, between the Kingdom of Italy and the Allies during World War II. It was signed at a conference of generals from both sides in an Allied military camp at Cassibile in Sicily, which had recently been occupied by the Allies. The armistice was approved by both King Victor Emmanuel III and Italian Prime Minister Pietro Badoglio. The armistice stipulated the surrender of Italy to the Allies.

World War II 1939–1945 global war

World War II, also known as the Second World War, was a global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. The vast majority of the world's countries—including all the great powers—eventually formed two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis. A state of total war emerged, directly involving more than 100 million people from over 30 countries. The major participants threw their entire economic, industrial, and scientific capabilities behind the war effort, blurring the distinction between civilian and military resources. World War II was the deadliest conflict in human history, marked by 50 to 85 million fatalities, most of whom were civilians in the Soviet Union and China. It included massacres, the genocide of the Holocaust, strategic bombing, premeditated death from starvation and disease, and the only use of nuclear weapons in war.

He was shot on 5 November 1943 in Durrës, right after leaving his home. The responsible party was the local Communist Guerrilla Unit. The action was carried out by a young communist, Kolë Laku. It is still unknown why Kosturi was pinpointed by the communists.[ citation needed ]
When the future Albanian Prime Minister Rexhep Mitrovica was voted in the Parliament, he proposed the Assembly to declare National day of mourning. Kolë Laku became well known when he was arrested on 24 February 1944, and would be hanged. [5]

Rexhep Mitrovica Albanian politicianAlbanian politician

Rexhep Mitrovica was a Prime Minister of Albania's government under Nazi Germany. A staunch nationalist, he was elected head of the Second League of Prizren.

National day of mourning Type of public holiday

A national day of mourning is a day marked by mourning and memorial activities observed among the majority of a country's populace. They are designated by the national government. Such days include those marking the death or funeral of a renowned individual or individuals from that country or elsewhere, or the anniversary of such a death or deaths. Flying a flag of that country and/or military flag at half-staff is a common symbol.

For hist merits in Albanian political life and his state-forming and organizative contribute to Albania, Mihal Zallari (member of the Regency) that the square in front of the former Assembly of Albania building (area includes today's "Puppets' Theater", part of the Skanderbeg Square, and Socialist Party of Albania's premises) be renamed from "Costanzo Ciano" to "Idhomene Kosturi". [5]

Mihal Zallari Albanian politician

Mihal Zallari was an Albanian historian, politician, journalist and poet. He served as Chairman of the National Parliament of Albania in 1943–44.

Town square open public space

A town square is an open public space commonly found in the heart of a traditional town used for community gatherings. Other names for town square are civic center, city square, urban square, market square, public square, piazza, plaza, and town green.

Skanderbeg Square Tirana

The Skanderbeg Square is the main plaza in the centre of Tirana, Albania. The square is named after the Albanian national hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu. The total area is about 40.000 square metres. The Skanderbeg Monument dominates the square.

With the rise of Communism in Albania, his patriotic, political, and financial [9] contribution would get annihilated. He would be referred as "traitor" or even "Gestapo agent". [10]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ Alessandro Roselli (2006), Italy and Albania: Financial Relations in the Fascist Period, Library of International Relations, 29, I. B. Tauris, p. Preface:vxi, ISBN   978-1845112547
  2. ↑ Xhevat Lloshi (2008). Rreth ALFABETIT Të Shqipes. Logos-A. p. 76. ISBN   978-9989-58-268-4 . Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  3. ↑ Skendi, Stavro (1967). The Albanian national awakening. Princeton: Princeton University Press. p. 147. ISBN   9781400847761.
  4. ↑ Vepror Hasani (2014-08-25), Ja si u vra Pandeli Sotiri nga gruaja e tij në bashkëpunim me Patriarkanën (in Albanian), Dielli, Ishin të gjithë mbështetësit e shkollës shqipe dhe të Orhan Pojanit, të cilët u bënë iniciatorët e krijimit të shoqërisë “Dituria Shqip”. Drejtuesit e kësaj shoqërie ishin: kryetar nderi, Ymer bej, kryetar Orhan Pojani, arkëtar Idhomene Kosturi; pleq: Thomaq Eqimi, Qani bej Dishnica, Hafëz Ali (Korça), Çikozi Miçe, Ismail bej (Leskoviku) Tefik efendi (Panariti) (Gazeta “Korça”, e enjte, 26 vjesht’ e III-të 1909). Te shoqëria “Përparimi”, gjejmë këta mëmdhetarë: “…Kryetar zoti Orhan Pojani, nënkryetar z. S.Karoli, këshillonjës: Behar Hafiz Ali, Sami Pojani, shkronjës z. Mihallaq Gramenoja. (Gazeta “Korça”, 21 vjesht’ e I-rë 1909). Edhe pas 25 vjetësh (1887-1912), përpjekjet për shkollën shqipe vijojnë. Në vitin 1912 u krijua “Shoqëria shkollore”. “Anëtarët me vota të fshehta u zgjodhë këta zotërinj: Kryesonjës, Karaman beu, Stavre P. Taçi arkëtar, dhe këshillonjës: Faik Emin, Muharrem Rexhep, Nikolla Rodhe; Koço Grameno shkronjës, edhe Hasan Shaqir, Thoma Avrami edhe Vasil Ilias Kole kontrollorë (Gazeta “Koha”, e shtunë, 22 vjesht’ e I-rë 1912). Kjo shoqëri nuk e pati jetën të gjatë, pasi drejtuesi i saj, braktisi shoqërinë dhe mori armët. Pas kësaj, shoqëria u drejtua nga këta mëmëdhetarë: “Kryetar, Orhan bej Pojani, Islam bej Këlcyra, Mina Frashëri, Abedin efendi Tuxhari, Stavre Karole, Riza efendi Dërsniku, Idhomene Kosturi dhe Andrea N. Katundi.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Bashkim Kadiu (2013-09-13), Atentatori komunist që i mori jetën pabesisht qeveritarit Idhomen Kosturi [Communist shooter who perfidiously killed the politician Idhomen Kosturi] (in Albanian), Gazeta Bulevard Online, retrieved 2014-12-21
  6. ↑ Owen Pearson (2006), Albania in the Twentieth Century, A History, Volume I: Albania and King Zog, 1908-39, I. B. Tauris, p. 139, ISBN   978-1845110130
  7. ↑ Owen Pearson (2006), Albania in the Twentieth Century, A History, Volume I: Albania and King Zog, 1908-39, I. B. Tauris, p. 182, ISBN   978-1845110130
  8. ↑ Abdi Baleta (1995), Shqiptarët përballë shovinizmit serbo-grek, Shtëpia Botuese KOHA, p. 327, OCLC   39671387
  9. ↑ Monika Shoshori Stafa (2012-11-24), Punetori i Pavaresise [Independence's worker] (in Albanian), Gazeta Shqip Online, retrieved 2014-12-21, ata ishin pjesa më e pasur e Korçës, dhe, duke dhuruar vetë ndihma për shkollën shqipe, nxitën shoqëritë patriotike kudo që ishin, duke përfshirë atë të Bukureshtit, për të bashkuar kontribute në para për nismën që ishte ndërmarrë. Përgjithësisht pjesa e prapavijës ekonomike është nënçmuar edhe për ngjarje të tjera, si Lidhja Shqiptare e Prizrenit. Por ardhja deri tek pavarësia nuk mund të kuptohej pa këto dy faktorë: luftën me dije e mbështetjen me pasuri.
  10. ↑ Selim Islami (1959), Historia e Shqipërisë, Tirana: Universiteti Shtetëror. Instituti i Historisë e Gjuhësisë, p. 761, OCLC   8423034
Political offices
Preceded by
Hasan Prishtina 		Prime Minister of Albania (acting)
12 December 1921 – 24 December 1921		Succeeded by
Xhafer Bej Ypi
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