Dashnor Kaloçi
Memorie.al publishes the unknown story of the bringing to Albania of the remains of the great national poet, Naim Frashëri, by King Zog, whose government took over all the expenses of the magnificent ceremonies that took place in the city of Tirana. Who were the senior politicians of the Monarchy who gave the occasional speeches and the reburial of the apostle of Albanianism in the Bektashi Tekke?
Throughout the period of his rule, from 1925 to 1939, King Zog paid special attention to the remembrance, appreciation and honor of many different historical figures and personalities, who in the past had given their contribution for the benefit of the Albanian cause, fighting with rifles or pens. In this context, every November 28, when Flag Day was celebrated, following the proposals of government commissions set up beforehand for this problem, King Zog decorated with various medals and orders many Albanian patriots from all districts and provinces of the country. In fact, some of those patriots who were no longer living, Zogu granted patriotic pensions to families, pensions which many families, hearing about the contribution that their ancestors had given to the Albanian cause, continued to receive until November of the year 1944. In addition, some of the most prominent personalities and figures of Albanian patriotism, by special decree, King Zog erected statues, monuments or monuments in their cities, where homage was paid on holidays. In this context, the monuments of Themistokli Gërmenji in Korça, Çerçiz Topulli in Gjirokastra, Colonel Thomson in Durrës, Major Llesh Topollaj in Tirana, or our national hero, Gjergj Kastriot Skënderbeu, were erected in some cities of Albania. In the framework of appreciation and honor of these patriotic figures, in 1937, with the initiative of King Zog, it became possible to bring to Albania the remains of Naim Frashëri, our national poet, who since 1900, was buried in the Merdivenkoy cemetery in Istanbul. The arrival of Naim’s remains and his reburial in the Bektashi Tekke, on the outskirts of Tirana, took place with a magnificent ceremony, attended by the highest personalities of the state and the people of the capital. To have a clearer idea about this event, we are publishing some of the newspaper articles of that time, which best shows the appreciation that the government of King Zog paid to the apostle of Albanianism, and the national poet, Naim bej Frashëri.
Magnificent ceremonies in Tirana
Free Albania eagerly awaits the lecturer of Albanianism, Naim Frashëri.
With a magnificent apotheosis was crowned the noble and patriotic desire of L.M. of Him, the King Naim Frashëri came. And all the people of Tirana yesterday afternoon gathered around the American legation, in the middle of some green lawns, where the verses “Cattle and Agriculture” felt like a bell of longing in the ears of those who have heard the name “Naim” in the cradle. And which Albanian, especially the young, has not been nourished by the patriotic light of Naim’s songs? Look at the young boys, the school children, though not lined up, wandering up the street to wait for the remains of the great patriot. What did the local authorities do there? Chief Adjutant of the King, General Serregji, Speaker of Parliament, Minister of Interior, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mayor, Prefect, General Mirdashi, General Araniti, all deputies, Clergy, officers, journalists, clerks, people. The gathered crowd had filled the sides of the road to Elbasan, while the “Deja” battalion presented weapons that the car with the coffin of the “star of the Albanian idh” was coming there from 5 o’clock. The sound of bayonets remained almost in that meaningful silence of the large crowd which with pain kept its gaze from the car falling the remains of an “Albanian saint”, it was not felt at all that everyone’s heart suddenly beat that Naimi came. Naim Frashëri came! The one who said: “When you see me wasted, do not think that I am dead! …
Delivery of bones
And at that moment, when in the mind of anyone were spinning these immortal verses, Mr. Shatku, surprised by the magnificent reception, by an unexpected reception, which neither the program nor the rule had foreseen, is greeted by Mr. Musa Juka and Mr. Faik Shatku, handing over the closed “bones” in a coffin with red and black stripes and in a sad voice said: “The great hour with which our ideals came to come out in the blissful light that the country, Justice and Freedom can give, came … Naim! See how our arrogant Albania awaits you. Naim to inform you and our Albanian world that this work is dedicated to him to make every sacrifice for the Homeland. Let your enlightened soul calm down, who came to rest in the land of the Homeland … ”Mr. Abedin Nepravishta, as soon as he took over the coffin, which together with his uncle, the prefect and others, they placed on a cart- the ball, dressed in black, turned to Mr. Shatku and spoke: “Mr. N-colonel! For me, it is such a sacred and satisfying task to receive now, in the name of the Capital, this coffin, which, at the initiative of His Holiness, brings from exile the sacred remains of the Patriot of Math, of our National Poet , Naim Frashëri … ”Then turning from the other side he continues:“ Now we have before us the bones of that immortal Albanian Idealist who throughout his life with his fiery tongue, mourned with longing the fate of the enslaved homeland, with His Homeric pen traversed the greatness of our nation, the bravery and heroism of our ancestors, and finally, with the “History of Skanderbeg”, together with our National Hero, he perpetuated the national epic. Naimi with his big heart, with his high feeling, with his fiery language, loved, imagined and sang a free homeland, a great Albania. But unfortunately, he could not see it with his own eyes. And now that his blessed bones by the supreme order of the King are brought to rest in the free land of the Homeland, in the Capital of King Zog, the Holy Spirit of Naim feels a great joy mixed with a deep sorrow. He rejoices because after watching, his bones have calmed down in the Arbenian land, under the shadow of the Flag of Freedom, but at the same time, he despairs why he could not live to see with his own eyes today the famous flag of the Kastriots that waves proudly over the palace of the Great King of the Albanians. But the joy of free Albania and securing its fate from the genius leadership of our great King calms for life the bright soul of the immortal Poet.
Humble homage
Naim Frashëri between us? Nearby, yes, “he stood between us and it seemed to be scorched!” Mr. Musa Juka, notices with longing, moves here and there, asks for something: to fly from joy for this extraordinary reception. Heads bow as a sign of reverence and adoration to the promoter of the liberation idea (idea, our Note). People on all four sides. But where are the students? Where are the teachers and intellectuals? Why not move the school benches to meet Naim Frashëri, the whistle of our Freedom? 37 years I lay in the foreign mud. And now. Ah, now the proud Albanian land is about to fall on the bright “dust” of our “boasting”.
Speeches of personalities
Mr. Delvina, with his fiery patriotic speech, inspired by the great Naim who was near, very close, longed the listeners so much that here and there in the eyes of some young people what were called teary eyes. But why? – Necessarily out of longing … Without waiting, Mr. Eshref Frashëri, close to whom was the family and Mrs. Neime Xhelal Rusi, the only heiress of Naim. This, in a few clear words, tells the story of Naim. Says the great efforts and secret meetings that Naimi made. He thanks His L. M for the noble and patriotic gesture he made by bringing the bones of the liberating pioneer of our freedom. “Naimi had warned him in time that the day would come when God would send a savior. And indeed: The white day that Naimi dreamed of came. Our savior today, after realizing the eternity of Albania, turns his eyes from history … So, calm down, O Naim, in this homeland that you dream of seeing it free once … And here is how you find it free and happy “.
Funerals of Naim Frashëri
To the Tekke. “You stood among us!” Six heavy artillery horses lift the field battery cart on which stands Naim Beut’s light “skull”! The battalion with the gang at the top marches slowly, while thousands of silent people follow the red and black coffin. – Where are the children throwing flowers? Flowers, flowers on Naim that divides the streets of Tirana, the streets of the capital of Free Albania. Ah if Naimi spoke, what did he mean? Who knows what he had to teach …! And on the narrow road full of thorns and greenery that leads to the Bektashi Tqen, families have come out and hand in hand ask each other: -Who has died? -No bro, Naimi got up, said a school girl. – Which Naim? – Our Naimi …
Submission
On the “beautiful hill” where the Teqja rises, a large crowd was waiting. Some twenty dervishller ‘and fathers, among whom are Mr. Kostaq Kota and Vissarioni. And while Baba Ali Tomorri, having near the sacred coffin, was lecturing: “O mountains of Albania and you, O tall oaks …”, down there the sun was almost gently lost on the tops of the distant shores. Baba Ali, in deep and golden words, mentioned the importance and value of the Great Poet and the bringing of bones to the Homeland. Before the coffin were called the crowns of His Majesty L., of the Government, of the Parliament, of the National Army, of the Bektashi clergy, of his niece Naimes, etc … And before the red sun set at all, Jashar Erebara toasted in the middle and prayed that they would listen to him and forgive him for a few words that meant: “I stood among you / And I am burning / To give you a little light / To make the night light for you … “Well, he was so excited that he barely said, ‘When you see me I’m wasted / Do not think I’m dead …'” Tell me in a few words the sweet and great memories of Naim Bey, the brilliant face of our singer by saying that this is for us the father of language, of poetry, of wisdom, and of adoration. It was meaningful this profound appearance of Jashari who was greatly distressed. The sun had set and my uncle, silent with Hiqmet, with Poga almost crying, with Vissarion who knows what he meant, with Shtako, with Avram, with Fuad Asllani and many others took the coffin and handed it over to the Bektashis , who placed him in the middle of a hall, where the birds chirping will have to recite his songs morning after morning, repeating them with sweetness: “Sleep quietly, Naim, because the Albanian song can be felt outside here! … And he fled bowed in turn so that everyone in front of that sacred coffin, from where the whole of Albania must pass and bow. (The newspaper “Shtypi”, dated June 3, 1937)
“Albanian boy, bow before this coffin”
The word of Faik Shatku, which Zogu sent to take the bones to Turkey
Among the many high personalities of the Zog Monarchy who spoke at the magnificent ceremonies that were organized on the occasion of the arrival of the remains of Naim Frashëri in Albania, was Lieutenant Colonel Faik Shatku, whom King Zog sent to Turkey, where since year 1900, the remains of the great poet of the Albanian Nation were laid to rest. Regarding this, the newspaper “Shtypi” of that day (June 4, 1937) wrote: “Mr. Faik Shatku, saddened, says: “Albanian brother, Today the remains of Naim Frashëri arrived in the land of the Homeland! An indescribable longing at this moment invades our soul, we feel a joy, but on the other hand the heart is filled at the same time with incurable melancholy when we think of the passing of the patriotic poet, Naim with full of hardships, his efforts full of sacrifices and so on inadvertently tears well up in our eyes! At this moment Naim’s bones are here among us. So, who is Naimi? His name sounds from ear to ear, flies from lip to lip of all Albanians, big or small, and this phenomenon is quite natural why, the Albanian renaissance would be incomprehensible if the memory and patriotic activity of veterans of Albania would not live in our hearts and their name would not be an object of respect. Naimi is among the first, who feels the flag of patriotism, who worked hard, worked so hard to dissolve, for a single ideal, for the triumph of the national cause and perhaps for the sake of these sacred virtues you live an impressive poet, an educator to start moving Albanian national ideas and the basics of National Education. The indomitable mother tongue found in him, the living inspiration, the artist full of elegance, he found his need, the whistle and the tireless which, to sing, to mourn, to electrify the nerves of the Albanian people to wake him from sleep i rand and fatal that was rush as the consequence of the terrible collar of the centuries-old slavery of the past empire. Naimi passed away in 1900. d.m.th. full 37 years ago and remained covered in Merdinveqoi of the Capital of Turkey, far from the fertile land where his inspirations happily triumphed. But today, Naim, is the time of Zog, the period of the consolidation of the state, of the National Union, of the celebration of patriotism, of the strengthening of the spirit of Albanianism, and the time of the rise of the feelings of nationalism. Our great king, the soul of souls the heart of hearts. The young Skanderbeg, who won the record of Albanianism, could no longer bear to be locked up in Merdivenqoi, but shunned by His kindness, took the excellent initiative and brought the bones of Naim, and thus personified a wish, of the people, with the performance of this high patriotic work. Now pass, a quiet, eternal life in the Homeland to dream of you and happily to be realized by … The Savior of the Nation, the gigantic efforts and the constant observation of the sleepless eyes of the young Skënder, who realized all the aspirations of the patriots, are full insurances for the elevation and life of the building of the Albanian National Society. So, rest your bright soul. Naim you who sang the fate of Albania, you who taught us to love the homeland, you who taught us to write Albanian, you who made so many sacrifices to revive the idea of liberation from captivity, rest today in the place you asked for longing and love. The Albanian people with the King at their head respect, remember with adoration every patriot, but above all of your o Naim, your o whistle of the Nation, apostle of the national idea … from Youth) Boyhood. Where are you boy? Behold, bow down before this coffin, before this prophet of Albanianism …”
“The sacred bones of Naim Frashëri”
Writing of the patriot and poet Milto Sotir Gurra in the newspaper “Shtypi”
Among the many writers, poets and publicists who took the pen put on paper their impressions or impressions on the occasion of the arrival in Albania of the remains of our national poet, Naim Frashëri, was Milto Sotir Gurra, who in his published article in the newspaper “Shtypi” dated June 4, 1937, he wrote, among other things: “The big world began to learn that in the Balkans was born the doctrine of a new religion, the religion of Albanianism. This new religion of Albanianism needed apostles to preach it. Yes, alas, although in the high ranks, in all the departments of the former Turkish empire, there were Albanians, no one who was not interested in the liberation of Albania, and the acceptance of the religion of Albanianism, were bringing many obstacles and persecution of a fierce. Few took into account personal interests. One of them was Naim Frashëri. He did not take the rifle, he did not go to the mountains, he did not organize an uprising, he was preparing the hearts of the Albanians who were ready to do enough for a people to gain complete freedom; he formulated and supplemented the doctrine of the religion of Albanianism. Naim bey sang freedom and every Albanian with feelings grafted his love for the homeland and for freedom and got angry to the point that without waiting for the opportunity he poured out all the hatred he had against the rulers. Yes … Naimi sang peacefully and peacefully preached liberation. When he did not say correctly: “Grab the rifles, brave”, he was giving us the Story of Skanderbeg with those fiery verses that flow like a stream and let us know that we were once free because we had a brave man who was measured for 25 years in turn with the Red Apple Titan and crush it from time to time. With his simple poems he told us that Albanian is so high and rich that even masterpieces can be written, it is enough to know how to learn it. He told us that we have fertile lands and fat and young cattle that all our neighbors’ envy. And the story of Skanderbeg written by Naim (I say with conviction that it is a fact) about the religion of Albanianism has done what the gospel has done for Christians and the Qur’an for Muslims. And I can say: “If it were not for Skanderbeg’s History, we do not know to what extent the feeling of the religion of Albanianism would have been prepared. Naimi does not act as material interest tells him to take positions and get rich, but as his mother’s milk says together with the nani-nani of the cradle songs. He gave himself whole after writing to bring forth the treasures of the tongue, and to preach from the mouth of the wolf, without ceasing until the last minute when he gave up the ghost. What about his soul that at that moment I fly to Albania; there were his works and I continue my work preaching love for the homeland and strengthening for the religion of Albanianism. That at the time when Naim gave his soul, Cajupi, the filthy Anton Zakoja, the poet of Baba Tomorri, from the banks of the Nile mourned him like this: … (the poem known to Naim, Our Note). He wept for him … and today his bones are being crushed from the land of Egypt and are suffering from the longing to rest in the free Homeland where the First Bird reigns and where the red and black Flag with the double-headed robe mourns freely. The departure was made. His N. M., the First Bird and the order and removed the expenses and bones of Math’s poet, the most math preachers and the very math formulator of the doctrine of the religion of Albanianism, were brought and are resting in the free Homeland. After this, the chain of bringing the bones of all those who have served for the liberation of this country and for the spread of the religion of Albanianism will continue. And so the day will come when, father, in earthly distances, but in all those who were far in earthly distances, but very close in mourning and sermons, will unite in the temple of the Religion of Albanianism, which triumphed in 1912 and was completed in 1925 with the genius of the First Bird. Ay knows how to appreciate sacrifices, knows how to reward can and knows how to wine on the pedestal he deserves. And tomorrow, at this temple finished and filled with the bones of veterans and erected with Pelasgian-Macedonian-Illyrian-Molloso-Albanian architecture, all the Albanian boys will come, kneel, pray, be strengthened and to continue the great work of the Religion of Albanianism which will break even the last obstacles of division. That when we have all of them on top of the myrrh of the Religion of Albanianism, there will be no more left and will not find land for planting or any intrigue to divide the Albanian Nation; that today he is led by the Math Son of our Nation and is rising to the highest levels of progress, strength of wealth and national happiness “./ Memorie.al
