Dr. Bardhok Gjergji
Memorie.al publishes an article by Dr. Bardhok Gjergji, regarding the book “Historical studies with scientific character and reviews of works”, by the well-known researcher and historian, Prof. Koli Xoxi, considered one of the most famous authors of the generation of Albanian historians since the second half of the last century. According to the review article of Dr. Bardhok Gjergji, in the work in question the well-known historian, Prof. Koli Xoxi stopped and paid special attention to the Albanian renaissance and patriots, such as: Naum Veqilharxhi, Zef Jubani, Pashko Vasa, Kostandin Kristoforidhi, Hasan Tahsini, Jani Vreto, Papa Kristo Negovani, Isa Boletini, Ismail Qemali, Fan Noli etc. But besides them, no less attention is paid to foreign political personalities such as: Jeanne D’Ark, Bubulina, Suliote wife and German poet Mylen, Viktor Hygoi and the Pasha of Ioannina, Viktor Hygoi and Marko Bocari.
To write about the numerous works of a study nature which have been published for years by prof. Koli Xoxi, is not an easy task. But it is more difficult to tell, about the rare and multifaceted human values, in his book that has been published: “Historical studies with a scientific character and reviews of works”, Prof. Koli Xoxi, for the compilation of this work has relied on an extensive Albanian bibliography, but also foreign.
Albanian renaissance and patriots such as: Naum Veqilharxhi, Zef Jubani, Pashko Vasa, Kostandin Kristoforidhi, Hasan Tahsini, Jani Vreto, Papa Kristo Negovani, Isa Boletini, Ismail Qemali, Fan Noli etc. are studied here with special attention. Besides them, no less attention is paid to foreign political personalities such as: Jeanne D’Ark, Bubulina, Suliote wife and German poet Mylen, Viktor Hygoi and Pasha of Ioannina, Viktor Hygoi and Marko Bocari.
In the work we also find the name of Skanderbeg in the Greek Revolution of 1821 in Greece, in Voltaire for Skanderbeg, Albania and the Albanians, Nikola Jorgo for the historical role of Albanians in the Balkans and elsewhere, the Romanian Take Jonescu, for the independence of Albania, etc. A great merit is that even prominent activists of Western Europe, the author connects with the influence of great activists in the history of Albanians.
Such chapters are: “George Byron for Albania”, “Charles Didier for the Arbëresh of Italy”, “Part of the Albanian Diaspora”, “Arvanites”, “Among the Arbëresh”, “A critical look at the book of Consul Degrand”, “Memories from Upper Albania “,” Victor Hugo and the anthem of human rights “,” European Democratic Union according to Victor Hugo “.
The author stays long in the activity of American President Wilson, in defense of the rights of Albanians for the independence of their nation. In this work, the author also gives us valuable reviews of the very important works of scholars of Albanian history. Such reviews are: “Natali Kleje”, “Religion and the nation to the Albanians” where, among other things, it is emphasized that: “Although Albanians respect religion a lot, but put the fate of their homeland, the battles for the independence of Albania.”
The same problem is addressed by the English historian Miranda Vicker, in her outstanding work: “Between Serbs and Albanians” (A History of Kosovo). In the book of Prof. Koli Xoxit, also deals with the opinions of Albanian writers in the first half of the century. XX, like: Tajar Zavalani and others, thoughts of great value, with patriotic character, thoughts which were not put into practice, due to the fascist occupation of Albania on April 7, 1939.
Those who defended human rights
This book is about the necessity of protecting human and civil rights. In the chapter “I accuse”, Emil Zola shines in defense of human rights in late nineteenth-century France. The work insists on the historical fact that Albania has been and remains part of the western world, on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, despite the eastern invasions, like foot chains, which hindered its western momentum, but could not stop it.
So, in his work, Prof. Koli Xoxi never sees these colossi of the human mind detached from the traditional culture of the countries where they were born, as well as the most important monuments in the history of these countries. The values of knowledge, courage, determination, optimism for the future elevate these major personalities. And further Prof. Koli Xoxi emphasizes: “The light of John Locke, Montesquieu, Voltaire, Rousseau, Diderot, etc., had to spread in the world, because they were life itself. Everything died, they remained more alive than ever. They turn man from irrational and wild animals into human beings towards infinite progress. “The values of civilization are essential for every people.”
Civilization, according to the author, does not obey violence but freedom. There is no other superior power than that of the law for the people and human conscience…! The murder of civilization for Hygo, was one of the gravest crimes against humanity. Prof. Koli Xoxi, for all the personalities he has selected and listed in the book, expresses respect and kindness for their values, in relation to what they have shown for Albania and Albanians over the centuries.
Gratitude to President Willson
Gratitude is shown to US President Willson, for protecting small states from the injustices done to you by powerful states. Thus, he was one of the supporters of Albania. It was clear to Wilson that the ideas of the Albanian Renaissance did not agree with the intentions of the neighbors, that is, to respect democracy, it means to know how to govern oneself. He was convinced that for his homeland he shed blood for sacred principles. Therefore, there was no reason for man to be weak in defending them….! Small nations will need our support…”
Willson reiterated this assertion in his speech to Congress on January 8, 1918. In this speech, he stressed that the war, which was ending with the bloodshed for freedom, had a noble character, out of disgusting interests… The time of invasions, according to his conviction, had passed, and therefore that of secret treaties. In these thoughts, he would appear at the Peace Conference, for the protection of the independence of Albania, as a representative of a great country, not only from the land surface, wealth or population, but also from the inspiration for justice. Today in these difficult days, it is a pleasure for every Albanian, when you see that the current American government, together with the European community and NATO are trying to bring to a logical conclusion, the centuries-old desire of Albanians, to unite with Europe.
So, as can be seen, the creative work of Prof. Koli Xoxi is admirable. It is rare for a researcher to publish works with such exciting force and achieved historical, artistic and patriotic values. This speaks best, of the close ties that the author has with the most important events, occurring, inside and outside the country, in different historical periods. His persistence in studies is to be admired. In the work, the sharp logic with which the whole work is described attracts your attention, as in other works.
Book values
The book highlights the values that the past gives us, as well as the message to maintain and further develop these values. This work brings to the time we live the majestic parable of the most important characters, who strongly influenced the positive flow of human progress. These works, being evidence of their time, are extremely valuable for today, as the great French poet Paul Elyari stated: “These dead are not dead, while the deed, the word, their example lives and with us she also takes a step forward…”!
This, too, is a continuation of the book in question, where the reader is nourished by the best moral and spiritual values of the past. Such historical events and historical personalities become known to the attentive reader, so that their freshness knocks on his conscience, especially of the younger generation. It should be noted that the personalities, about whom Prof. writes. Koli Xoxi, are distinguished for a strong democratic spirit, for kindness to the common people, who suffer from the injustices of the ruling classes. Humanity today is troubled by the lack of order and security, unemployment and organized crime, as well as the efforts to fight and eradicate these wounds of human society.
The message conveyed by the works
Thus, the book serves as a confrontation with the occasionally painful reality and draws attention to change it in a positive sense, towards modern civilization. Already the echoes of the invading wars are over. For the Albanians, a new war has started, a great battle, as well as the first ones, the battle for education, knowledge and contemporary culture, built on the basis of unity, understanding, tolerance, respect and kindness for each other, through true civilization., which is the basic feature in the work in question of prof. Koli Xoxi.
In this article we tried to give briefly the importance of this book, the work of Prof. Koli Xoxi “Historical studies with scientific character and reviews of works”, which the attentive reader will appreciate with his sharp mind, but also with the will to overcome the difficulties of the time for a new democratic, truly civilized Albania. / Memorie.al
