Dashnor Kaloçi
The first part
Memorie.al publishes the unknown story of a week-long visit to Albania by the King of Italy, Albania and the Emperor of Ethiopia, Victor Emmanuel III, who on May 10, 1941 arrived at the small airport of Lapraka with a small military aircraft that accompanied a squadron of planes of the Italian Air Force, where the highest personalities of the Albanian state had come to meet, starting from the Prime Minister Shefqet Vërlaci, Ministers Maliq Libohova, Anton Beça, Ernest Koliqi, Qemal Vrioni, Maliq Bushati, the chairman of the Superior Corporate Council, Terenc Toçi, the senator Gjon Markagjoni, the main leaders of the three religious religions in Albania: Monsignor Kristofor Kisi, (Chairman of the Albanian Orthodox Church), Muharrem Mullahi, (Chief Mufti of Tirana) and the Bishop, Bishop ( Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and all of Albania), the Mayor of Tirana, Dr. Ali Erebara, as well as the entire diplomatic corps accredited in Albania, etc., as well as high Italian personalities, such as: Count Galezao Ciano, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, General-Army, Pariani, Deputy Minister of War of Italy , as well as the Plenipotentiary Minister of Italy in Albania, Francesco Jacomoni, etc. As the newspaper “Tomorri” covered the entire visit of the King of Italy in Albania, from his arrival on May 10, until his departure on May 17.
Full 80 years ago, or more precisely on May 10, 1941, the King of Italy and the Emperor of Ethiopia, Victor Emmanuel III, who at that time was formally known as the King of Albania, (since April 12 of 1939, he also wore the Golden Crown of Skanderbeg, which was sent to Rome by a hastily elected Constitutional Assembly from all the representations of the cities, villages and provinces of Albania), would carry out his visit first and last in Albania. After several months of preparation, both on the Albanian and Italian sides, on May 10, 1941, the King of Italy, Albania and the Emperor of Ethiopia, Victor Emmanuel III, aboard a military aircraft, i accompanied by a squadron of Italian Air Force aircraft, landed at the small Lapraka airport on the outskirts of Tirana. The day before, a number of high-ranking military and civilian personalities of the Italian state had arrived at that airport, among whom stood out: Count Galezao Ciano, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, General-Army, Pariani, Deputy Minister of War of Italy, as well as the Plenipotentiary Minister of Italy in Albania, Francesco Giacomoni, who had the task of checking the security measures for the visit of their king. To welcome and welcome the King of Italy and other senior personalities who accompanied him during that visit, according to an official protocol previously approved by the Chief of Ceremony of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gëessier Celsia di Veglasio, in the small airport of Lapraka, the highest personalities of the Albanian state had appeared, starting from the Prime Minister Shefqet Vërlaci, the ministers Maliq Libohova, Anton Beça, Ernest Koliqi, Qemal Vrioni, Maliq Bushati, the chairman of the Superior Corporate Council, Terenc Toçi, Senator Gjon Markagjoni, the main leaders of the three religious religions in Albania: Monsignor Kristofor Kisi, (President of the Albanian Orthodox Church), Muharrem Mullahi, (Chief Mufti of Tirana) and Bishop, Vinçens Prenushi (Archbishop of All Albania and Durrës), Durrës , the Mayor of Tirana, Dr. Ali Erebara, as well as the entire diplomatic corps accredited in Albania, etc. After the occasional ceremonies at Lapraka airport, which took place to the sounds of the spiritual gang, King Victor Emmanuel III, accompanied by the Albanian Prime Minister Shefqet Vërlaci, with a discovered vehicle, set off towards the center of the capital, crossing the road to Durrës, which was filled on both sides by thousands upon thousands of inhabitants of Tirana and other surrounding cities, who had come that day to see their king. The first visit, King Victor Emmanuel made in the Mosque of Sulejman Pasha in the center of Tirana, and then he visited the Catholic and Orthodox Cathedral of the capital. After visiting Tirana that afternoon in honor of King Victor Emmanuel III, the Albanian government hosted a luncheon at the Royal Palace that had just been completed in the Sauk hills on the outskirts of Tirana. After the visit to Tirana, King Victor Emanuel, paid a visit to the castle of Kruja and the city of Durres, where he climbed to the Royal Villa of Zog. In the following days, he made several other visits to the main cities of Albania, such as: Shkodra, Kruja, Durres, Korca, Gjirokastra, Lushnje, Delvina, Saranda, etc., where he was received with great honors by the authorities. the local high, as well as by the people of all those towns that had filled the main squares as rarely ever. The last visit to Albania, King Viktor Emanuel made in the capital of Montenegro, Cetinje, which at that time was under the jurisdiction of the Albanian state. After 10 days in Albania, King Victor Emanuel ended his visit to our country, which was considered quite successful. But, on the morning of May 17, while he was leaving in a discovered vehicle crossing the road from Durrës to go to the Lapraka airport, he was shot with several revolver bullets by a young man named Vasil Laçi. But King Emmanuel III was able to escape peacefully from the bullets of that boy (originally from the coastal villages of Saranda), which hit the Albanian Prime Minister, Shefqet Vërlaci, slightly injuring him and that event was covered only in a few lines. in the Tirana press, being considered an ordinary incident that had been instigated by some foreign enemy states of Italy. For more about this visit, Memorie.al is publishing the articles of that time published by the newspaper “Tomorri” which devoted entire pages to the visit of King Victor Emmanuel III, reflecting in detail all the visits and meetings. from the first day he arrived in Tirana on May 10, 1941, as well as his visits to all districts and cities of Albania until May 17 when he left the country.
Articles of the newspaper “Tomorri” for the visit of King Victor Emmanuel III in Albania, in May 1941
The second and third Albanian day of the Imperial King
Sovereign August goes to the parade, Party Youth Organizations
Visits to Kruja, Durrës, Vlora, Edda Port, Delvinë and Gjirokastra amid the hot cheers
The Albanian people around his King
The first Albanian day of the Imperial King was highlighted by the ardent greeting and love of the Albanian people towards their great Sovereign. This lucky day, which will remain unforgettable in the hearts of all Albanians, without the meeting of the Imperial King with his Albanian people, on these eastern shores of the Adriatic. The arrival of the Sovereign on the land of the Balkans, the day after tomorrow of the Axis War, which opened wide horizons for our Victory, has taken on a very high meaning, which the entire Albanian people, with a bright feeling, acquired at once with full consciousness.
From the presence of the Sovereign on his own land Still wounded by the fury of war, this people brought forth deep meaning, joy, boundlessness and arrogance, as from His presence Auguste, in the present moment, has drawn full assurance that the fates of Albania will be guaranteed with the full protection of the rights and aspiration, this people brought out a deep sense of joy, boundless and arrogance as from His presence Auguste, in the present moment has drawn full assurance that the fate of Albania will are guaranteed by the full protection of their national rights and aspirations.
The First Albanian Day of the Imperial King therefore had this meaning. The main elements of the true adornment of the Sovereign’s first baking with the people of His Kingdom of Albania have been the line-ups along the streets of Tirana of troops returned a few days ago from the battles of Greek tyranny, presented in a parade of military power and amnesty and broad forgiveness, elements of military power and Roman justice, which in their synthesis, summarize the characters of Albania’s division into the bosom of the Fascist Imperial Community.
The sovereign appeared to the Albanian people in the light of Victory. To this people with a long historical past, with ancient traditions of bravery, with a deep meaning of life inspired by a manly fighting spirit, whose loyalty to its Prince has always made him arrogant, Sovereign Augustus appeared to him in full. light of glory.
The meeting of the Sovereign with the people of Albania became closer on the first day, with the reception in the afternoon at the Royal Palace of the representatives of all social classes that make up Albanian life; from the aristocracy of its ancient cities to the commanders of the units of the Army, Navy, Aeronautics and Militia; to the hierarchs of the Party, to the exponents of the political, intellectual and economic world of Tirana, to the ordinary workers and even to the pioneers, who are paving the way for the future greatness of this country.
Visits to the shrines
The second Albanian day of the Imperial King was dedicated to the visit to the temples of different religious communities, expression of the spiritual freedom of the people, as well as to the visit of the new works that are enriching Tirana by adding power and beauty, giving life, strength and momentum, in the sound structure of the new Fascist State.
Between the visit of the three temples and the invocation of blessings, between the fervent prayers of the people and between the environment of world works that are being created in the splendid and wide space of Victory Square, the Sovereign passed before the siege of the Albanian Liktor Youth formations. The Imperial King received the lively and enthusiastic greeting of the most beautiful, brilliantly strong Albanian youth, lined up in perfect verse along both sides of the Empire Promenade. Slowly passing along the promenade between these events of youth in joy, the Sovereign passed as if parting a great bow of victory; as a powerful and venerated Sovereign, on the threshold of His new free, fascist Kingdom, of the greater Albania of tomorrow.
From the square that is named after the glories of Gjergj Kastriot, between which stands the statue of Victory, leaving behind the shadow of temples mixed with lights and candles and liturgical songs, in the religious atmosphere of religious exaltation. Liktor’s wide promenade was finally presented to the Imperial King. , the colors of the flags, the purchase of the hills. Thus, the Sovereign approached the truest, most intimate and strongest heart of the Albanian people, almost as if facing the great fate of this one.
In the Mosque
Departing from the Royal Palace at 9 a.m. Drake, M.T. The Emperor King first visited the Old Mosque. Along the street “Francesco Jacomoni”, the street “28 November”, the square “Skanderbeg” and the promenade “Victor Emanuel III”, were lined up the battalions of the 50th infantry regiment, the “Parama” division and the cavalry and launchers ‘Aostas. The calorie was in the high circle of Skanderbeg Square with the flagpole. Aostas launchers were along the Empire Promenade, even those with the flag band. In the corner of “Skënderbej” Square at the meeting point with the Promenade “Viktor Emanuel III”, was the flag of the Regiment. The City Band had taken up a seat near the fountain. Behind the railings stood the people who celebrated and wanted to greet their King again.
Accompanied by Count Ciano, Minister of Foreign Affairs, from Shk. Jakomoni, from Sh. Vërlaci and the staff of his Royal House Suite, from high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and General Viceroy, M. T. King, Emperor shortly after 9 o’clock arrived at the Mosque of Suljeman Pasha. At the entrance of the Mosque, the Sovereign, the President of the Muslim Community, the World President of the Bektashi sect, the President of the Muslim Cultural Association “Divine Light”, many dignitaries and religious leaders and a large number of faithful had come out to meet. The Government and the State Authority were represented by Shkëlqesa Toçi, Chairman of the Fascist Corporate Supreme Council and Shkëlqesa Anton Beça, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry. The crowd that had gathered behind the railings made the Sovereign a hot manifestation of enthusiasm. Accompanied by the religious leaders and the personalities of the suite, the Imperial King entered the Mosque where the religious prayer began, opening with a speech by the Chief Mufti of Tirana, Em. T. Muharrem Mullahit, who after exalting the excellent qualities of the Savoy House, the impetus given by Fascism to the new life of Albania and progress…. Derived from the blissful union of Albania with the Imperial Community of Rome, he invoked the Divine blessing on his Majesty the Imperial King and on the fates of the two united peoples. At the end of the religious prayer, the Imperial King stopped to admire the murals that adorn the temple, inquiring about the architectural architecture of any of them, and then shook hands with the President of the Muslim Community and the religious dignitaries who had come out to accompany him.
In the Orthodox Church
Then the cortege of authorities was reformed. The service car was passing in front, where the Adjutant General, the Minister of Veremonies and the Adjutant of Services had taken their seats. In the Royal Car the Emperor was sitting next to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Count Ciano. In it was also General Punton, the First Adjutant General. Among the other two vehicles that followed the Prime Minister Shk. Vërlaci was accompanied by the Minister of the Royal House of Excellency Count D’Acquarone and by His Excellency Çelesia di Vegliasco, Chief of Ceremony of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, by the Chief of the Military Office of the General Viceroy and Captain Incita della. Arriving at the corner of “Skanderbeg” Square and the promenade “Victor Emmanuel III”, the Imperial King passed in front of the flag of the 50th Battalion of the cavalry that honored him, while the flag was lowered and the soldiers lined up in appearance. weapons to give the order “Greetings to the King”! they answered in unison “Long live the King”! whose shout made a roar, and the shout Even louder of the crowd cheering with much joy.
At the entrance of the Orthodox Church, where the Sovereign Ambassadors, Koliqi and Vrioni and Shk. The First Inspector of P.N.F., the Imperial King was received by the President of the Albanian Autocephalous Orthodox Church and by the parish of this Church Imz. Kisi, who was clothed in the sacred holy garments with the marks of his guard, accompanied the Sovereign to the Archbishopric Cathedral while in the Church roared the applause of the faithful who filled him to the brim. Then the religious prayer was sung by Monsignor Kisi himself, with the participation of the mixed Choir. Monsignor Kisi then delivered this speech: “Your Majesty, the Albanian people, touched by the great honor you do with this Royal visit, welcomes you with manifestations of joy and deep loyalty. During the days that you will deserve to stay in the land of our Homeland, you will be convinced, Madhni, that the Albanian people love and adore you with a love that shields, from its soul, with that boundless love that nurtures towards, Your Majesty, even the entire Italian people The Albanian people love you because under the shadow of the glorious Savoy Dynasty even in its union with Imperial Italy you see the only guarantee of its prosperity, the only guarantee of freedom and traditions ona national. The Albanian people love you that for the sake of this lucky union, the dream of a Greater Albania that has nourished so many generations of patriots is being fulfilled today, a dream that is fortunately coming true. The Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, interpreting through me the feelings of devotion and loyalty of all Orthodox, welcomes you, prays to God to grant you health and long life, to strengthen the centuries-old friendship of both to the peoples of Italy and Albania and to grant our glorious Armies the complete Victory ”.
In the Catholic Church
Then a visit was made to the Catholic Church, where they represented the Government of Shk. Mborja e Bushati. At the entrance of the church M. T. The Imperial King was received by the Archbishop of Durrës Imz. Vincene Prendushi, who wore pontifical clothes and presented them that M. T. kissed. Also present were Monsignor Thaçi, Archbishop of Shkodra, the Provincial of the Jesuit Fathers, and representatives of the clergy and Catholic associations, Baldakini, who was greeted by the Imperial King as little girls dressed in white throwing flowers. Imz. Prendushi, assisted by the clergy, performed religious prayers accompanied by choir songs. At the exit of the church M. T. The Imperial King received a new salute the reverence from the crowd repeating his applause.
The enthusiastic greeting of R.L.Sh.
M. T. The Imperial King then continued his way through the Promenade passing into that of the Empire amid the fiery demonstrations of the youth of R. L. Sh. In an atmosphere of indescribable patriotic exaltation.
As the car passed in front of various buildings under construction, Shk. Count Ciano gave the Sovereign enlightenment on the development of the new center of Tirana.
Arriving at “Liktor” Square, after admiring the magnificent building of the House of Fashi that bears the giant letters “Rex”, M.T. The Imperial King returned again to “Skënderbej” Square amid numerous demonstrations of the Albanian Liktor Youth formations.
The perfect order of discipline, the elegance of the divisions, the very proud demeanor of the youth earned from the Sovereign signs of vivid pleasure.
The passage of the Royal Cortege through the streets of the center for the return to the Royal Palace took place between continuous manifestations by the people of Tirana who assisted from behind the ranks of the military troops that had taken up positions along the sidewalks.
At the Royal Palace, in the presence of His Holiness, Count Ciano, the Viceroy, the Prime Minister and members of the Kingdom, the Imperial King received delegations from the ten Prefectures of the Kingdom, cordially stopping with representatives of the various Albanian provinces, many of whom were dressed in their national costumes. Then an intimate lunch was served.
In Kruja and Durrës
In the early hours of Sunday afternoon, His Majesty the Imperial King left Tirana to begin a visit to the Kingdom of the Kingdom, and especially to the South, where the fighting took place. Departing from Tirana, in private, the Sovereign stopped in Kruja, visiting the historic Skanderbeg Castle.
We did not go there at 10 o’clock, he went to Durrës. The ornate city and crowded streets celebrating with joy waited impatiently for the Sovereign to arrive. At the main stage of the Municipality, August, the Prime Minister Vërlaci, the Minister of Finance, the Prefect, the Mayor, the Federal Inspector, the Chairman of the Provincial Office of the Viceroy and the Commander of the Military President had not waited for the Guest. Amidst numerous cheers, the Emperor King got out of his car and, accompanied by the authorities, visited the City Hall, coming out on the balcony to greet the people for their enthusiasm. Even in Durrës, the youth of the Albanian Liktor wanted to express to the Imperial King his ardent enthusiasm with an unforgettable manifestation full of charm, order and discipline.
In the main hall of the City Hall, the Sovereign stood cordially with the personalities and authorities. Finally, amidst numerous cheers, after visiting the Royal Villa, received by the Naval Commander, Admiral Sporuello, he left the city for Kavaja and Lushnja.
Wherever the Sovereign passed, both in towns and villages, he was received with great reverence by the people.
In Vlore
At 7 pm, the Sovereign arrived in Vlora where His Excellency Jacomoni and the Prime Minister had gone to meet him, assisted by the local authorities and Hierarchs. In the Prefecture Square, in front of the crowd, the Prefect addressed the Imperial King with a welcome speech. The Sovereign then went out on the balcony to respond to enthusiastic cheers. After a brief stay in which the military, civilian and religious authorities were introduced, the Sovereign left Vlora amid repeated applause.
In Edda Port, Delvinë, Gjirokastër
Continuing his visit to the various provinces of Albania, Sovereign Augustus devoted today to the development of extensive walks through the lands that have been theaters of war operations. This walk is being done by M. T. the Imperial King in quite private form and has a purely military character. It is King Ushatr’s meeting with the men and with the war premises.
The visit of the Imperial King among the areas of operations thus takes on a high meaning for coming into contact with the Albanian populations who were cheering for the first time the Sovereign on their land and beyond those borders that the victory of our weapons could cross.
After the days spent in Tirana, the visit of the Imperial King, although in the reservation of his military character, is distinguished by the liveliness of the manifestations that the population has improvised in Porto Edda, Delvina and Gjirokastra, where the authorities and the people have summed up the enthusiasm of them in a single cry of devotion and faith.
In the enthusiasm of the people of Gjirokastra was all the joy and gratitude of the people for their liberation from the heavy Greek yoke. Bura, women, çiliminjë, all organizations of the Albanian Fascist Party, were lined up along the streets to cheer the Imperial King.
The departure of Count Ciano to Italy
The day before yesterday at 16.30, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Count Galeazzo Ciano, departed by plane from Tirana to return to Rome, accompanied by the Chief of Ceremony of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Geisser Celesia di Vegliasco.
They had come to accompany His Excellency, Count Ciano, Minister of the Royal House, Senators Count D’Acquarone, Deputy Minister of Aeronautics General Pricolo, Chief of the General Staff and Commander of the Armed Forces in Albania, General Jacob Cavalom of the General Staff of the Militia, Excellency Strace, Excellency General of the Air Squadron, Ranza, Commander of Aeronautics in Albania with the Chief of the General Staff. Mazani, Shkëlqesa Parini, Inspector of P.N.F. with Federal Cignolini, Consul General of Germany Dr. Pfeiffer, General Ballabio, Commander of the Albanian Fascist Militia, Senior Officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the General Staff and the Government. /Memorie.al
Continues in the next issue
