Kukuzeli Jan, well known figure of Byzantine culture. He was bornin Durres.He is known as great singer of Kostadinopoja incentury XI. His merit is closely connected with the fact thathis musical notion is used for many centuries in church music. Kukuzeli worked on a written musical system established by him, which is named as kukuzeli system. This system is presented as the third phase of Byzantine semiography is based upon 40 graphic letters and musical circles. This system is treated in specialtreaty named "The beginning of psalms signs compiled and elaborated by Jan Kukuzeli".

Aleksi Andrea 1425-1505 (also called Durrsaku.) Albanian architect, painter and sculptor and one of the greatest artistsof Dalmatian renaissance. In all inscriptions of the works, he marks his origin from Durres, where he was born. While still young, he went in exile in the city Split, of Dalmatia, where hestudied under the supervision of the sculptor Mark Troja. He is the author of the statues of the merchants loggia in Ancona of Italy, of 1454 mural paintings in a church of the Island Arabe of Dalmatia. His masterpiece is the baptistry of Trogir.

Barleti Marin (about 1460-1512.) Renowned humanist, historian,the first author known as one of the greatest of the Albanian old literature. Barleti was born in Shkoder, and there is very little information about his life. Barleti has lived in exile as apriest in the territories of Venice, where he increased his humanist culture and became a connoisseur of the classical literature and the Latin language in which he wrote his works. Barleti has written three works entitled "Siege of Shkoder, "History of life and acts of Scanderbeg" and "Briefing on life of popes and emperors."

Architect Kasemi (1570-1650) master of Ottoman classical architecture, was born in village Gramsh of Tomorrica, Skrapar. He graduated in architecture in Istanbul and was ranked among the closest assistants of Architect Sinani. He has served as chief architect of the Ottoman empire and has created original monumental works such as Qoshku Bagdad, Qoshku Revan, Mosque in Faience in Istanbul and many works in Albania such as inns, bridges, baths and the tracks of Medieaval roads in Berat, Korce, etc.

Bardhi Frang (1606-1643). The first Albanian lexicographer, historian, folklorist and ethnographer. One of the oldest authors of Albanian literature. He was born in a famous clerical family of Kallmet (Zadrime). He studied in the religious college of Loreto (Italy) and in 1635 was ordained bishop of Sape. Hedrafted and published the Latin-Albanian dictionary, "Gjergj Kastriot of Epirus," etc.

Bogdani Pjeter (1625-1689). Most outstanding writer of old Albanian literature. He was born in Gur of Has in 1625. After the high studies in theology and philosophy in Rome where he also won the title of Doctor, he served as parson in Pult and Prizren. In1656 he was ordained bishop of Shkoder and in 1677 arch bishop of Skopje. His most important work "Life of Prophets" was published in 1685 in the city of Padova in Italy, and was reprinted in 1691 and 1702 in Venice under different titles.

Buzuku Gjon, 16th century. The first author known so far of the Albanian literature, translator into Albanian of a clerical book called "Missal" (1555), the oldest Albanian work which has beenpassed on up to date. The first 16 pages of the copy of the book are missing. The book contains clerical material and the mainparts of Catholic liturgy. "Missal" was published in Latin alphabet of semi-gothic type.

Tepelena Ali Pasha, 18th century. Feudal strong ruler in Southern Albania. He is the founder of self-governing region of Janine, rebel against Osman Empire power in Albania. He was born in Tepelena, in amilitary feudal family and was distinguished for the skills and energies that fulfilled it ambitious plans to become the on lyruler of the country by using all the means. In 1784 he won the title "Pasha", as military Commander close to Valiu of Rumelia in Sofia. The policy of Ali Pasha Tepelena aimed at self-governing and uniting of Albanian provinces under the governance of Janine Pasha.

Asdreni, Aleks Stavre Drenova (1824-1947) Distinguished poet, publicist and democrat activist. He is the author of the Flag Anthem. With his creativeness he made a forward step in the transition from romanticism to realism.

Kristoforidhi Konstandin, (1827-1895) Connoisseur of the Albanian language, outstanding activist of the National Renaissance, education and culture. He was born in Elbasan and attended the secondary school in Zosimea of Ioannina. His fundamental activity is linked with the spread of the Albanian language and school. He is known as the first author of the first Primer in Albanian language, in Gege dialect, in 1867 and a year later the publisher the same primer in the Toske dialect. The fundamental work of Kristoforidhi is "Dictionary of Albanian language." He is an advocate of the theory on the Pelasgian origin of the Albanianlanguage.

Gjika Elena, (Dora d'Istria,) 1829-1888. Romanian progressivewriter and publicist of Albanian origin. She is the author of many studies such as Albanian nationality according to folksongs, Albanian writers of southern Italy, Albanians in Romania,etc. She is known in the world opinion for the contribution she has made to the Albanian question.

Frasheri Naim, 1846-1900. Great poet of Albanian National Renaissance, outstanding patriot, thinker and activist ofeducation and culture. He was born in Frasher of Permet. Naim Frasheri completed the secondary school Zosimea, in Greece. His first poem was "Albania" published in 1897 and which enthused Albanian patriots. He was one of the main publishers of the Review Drita in Istanbul, "Dituria" in a later period which published many of his verses and proses for Albanian schools. In1886, he published the poem "Bageti dhe Bujqesi." The main worksof his are "Qerbelaja," "History of Scanderbeg," "Albanian Language" , "Korca", etc.

Idromeno Kole, 1860-1939, Painter of National Renaissance, architect and photographer, People's Painter. He was born in Shkoder and since a child he manifested his talent for art. Hehad a photo-studio and was the first to perform cinema to graphic slides in Albania in 1912. He painted many compositions of ethnographic character. His masterpiece is "Sister Tone" in 1883. He is the the first in Albanian art to practise landscape.

Konica Faik (1876-1942) Publicist, literary critic and political activist. During his activity, he made efforts for a common literary language and brought his contribution to enriching and developing the literary and publicistic style of the written Albanian. His most renowned works are "Doctor Needle uncovers roots of drama of Mamurras", "Under the shadow of date trees"etc. He is known as director of the review "Albania", one of the most important publications of Renaissance.

Eftimiu Viktor, 1889 - 1972, Romanian writer of Albanian origin. Distinguished personality of Romanian culture and world culture. Academician Eftimiu was born in village Boboshtice of Korca, and emigrated in the first years of his life in Bucharest of Romania. Among the most outstanding works of Eftimiu is the novel "Man who saw death with his own eyes", "The Black Cock", "Prometheus", "Dr.Faust" etc. , any many creative writings with Albanian motives such as "Portraits and Memoirs", "Two crosses", the short poem "Scanderbeg", the essay "Albanian Folklore", etc. During his life, he kept links with the birthplace. At the beginning of the20s, he was the chairman of a patriotic association which workedfor the protection of the rights of Albania as an independentstate.

Gjadri Gjovalin, 1899-1974, distinguished engineer, constructorin designing and construction of bridges. He was born in Shkoder. Gjadri completed the secondary school and university studies inAustria. He is renowned as one of the construction engineers ofthe Bridge of Mat, one of the bridges known in the world literature and which was declared in 1999 a monument of culture by the Albanian Government. Among the bridges he has designed isthe bridge of Penkova, that of Mbrostar, the bridge of Rrogozhina, the bridge of the boulevard Deshmoret e Kombit in Tirana.

Poradeci Lasgush, (Llazar Gusho), 1900-1989. Lyric poet, he was born in Pogradec in a family of handicraftsmen. He completed his school in the birthplace, then he continued his education inGreece and Athens and finally in Austria. His lyric writings on love, philosophy and patriotism were collected in the Volumes "Dance of Stars" (1933) and "The Star of Heart" (1937). Lasgush Poradeci has translated in the Albanian language world distinguished poets, such as Heine, Mayakovski, Pushkin, Goethe,etc.

Kono Kristo, composer, People's Artist. He was born in Korce in1907. He has graduated in music in Paris of France, and received a diploma in the conservatory G.Verdi of Milan in clarinet andband instruments. Along compositions such as romance, poems in chorus, solist and orchestra, he has composed the operetta Agimi, first work of this kind in our music, and the opera "Lulja eKujtimit" in which for the first time in our scenic art, the patriotic topic is treated. Kono is one of the first Albanian authors who put the folk motive in the choral and orchestral scores and promoted it to the level of elaborated music.

Kuteli Mitrush (Dhimiter Pasko), 1907-1967, writer, economist, publicist and translator. He took the first lessons in his birthplace, Pogradec, then he graduated in economy in Bucharest, Romania. In his literary activity, Kuteli is known for the works" Albanian nights", "Ago Jakupi and other stories," "My village drinks raki", "Forest of chestnut trees," "Xinxifilo", "Albanian ancient stories," etc. He is also known as literary critic.

Antoniu Kristaq (1909-1979) Singer, tenor and baritone (People's Artist.) He was born in Korce and lived in exile in Romania, where he completed the Mime-drama Academy of Bucharest. He played his first roles in some cinematographic films due to which he became outstanding. As a concert master and operetta singer, he has made tours of Europe with a cast. He returned to Albania in1935 and started an extensive artistic activity. He claimed distinction for the interpretation of arias by classical operas and folk songs.

Cabej Eqerem, 1908-1980. Cabej was one of the most renowned figures of the science of Albanian education and culture. He finished the university studies in philology in Vienna of Austria. He made scientific studies in linguistics, as well as in folklore, ethnography, history of literature. An important placein his works is occupied by the etymological and lexicographic historic studies, study on dialects and onomatopoeia and the codification of the literary language. "Etymological studies in the field of Albania", "Introductory information in Albanian language history," "Historic phonetics of Albanian Language" are some of the most outstanding works of Cabej.

Tefta Tashko Koco, well known artist, lyrical singer. Artist of People. She was born in Fajum, Egypt. She studied in Monpelje, France in 1927 and went on with her studies in Paris in 1930,where she attended the High Institute of Music. In the period1931-1932 she participated in a number of competitions organized by Paris Conservative. She was distinguished and showed her vocal-interpretative skills in "Comic Opera", where she played the role of Butterfly. She started her musical activity in Albania in 1935, by giving concerts in all the town of the country.

Buda Aleks, historian, professor, President of the Academy of Sciences in 1972. He was born in 1911 in Elbasan. He completedhis studies in Austria. Buda has made a great contribution to the field of Albanian mediaeval history and the National Renaissance. He is coauthor and chief editor of "The History of Albania," in1959.

Kraja Marije, singer of the period of the Independence and in the later time. People's Artist. She was born in Zara (Dalmatia) in1911. She completed her higher school and university in Austria.Her activity covers all genres of the vocal and elaborated music beginning with the chamber music (romance song) and oratorio upto the scenic music. She has represented the Albanian lyric artalso in countries of Europe and Asia.

Dritero Agolli, outstanding poet, prose writer and publicist. He was born in 1931 in Menkulas of Devoll. As for the genres, his creativeness is rich, among which the novel "Commissar Memo", the satiric novel "The rise and fall of comrade Zylo" are the most outstanding along with many poems which reflect the opinions and sentiments of the people.

Kadare Ismail, 1936. He is the greatest writer of Albanian letters who, after 1990 has been living in France. He is candidate for the Nobel prize in literature. Kadare was born in Gjirokaster. He isthe author of the novels "The General of the Dead Army, "translated in eight languages of the world, "Dawn of Steppe", "Concert at the End of Winter", and a number of verses, collections of novels and poetry. He is honoured with the high title "Honour of the Nation." Kadare is a member of the French Academy among 12 foreign associate members of this Academy, and of the Berlin Academy. His literary works have been translated in 20 languages of the world.

Source: Albanian Government

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