The directory «Plots»

Frasheri Naim
(1846—1900)

The Frasheri brothers, Sami, Abdyl, and Naim were all very noteworthy patriotic figures -though in different ways - of the Albanian Renaissance. They were born in the village of Frasher in the district of Permet. Naimi was above all an intellectual and a writer. He composed and published first in Persian -which he learned at a Bektashi tekke - then in Albanian. His subject range was wide but concentrated on patriotic themes.

He wrote for children too, and translated the fables of La Fontaine. In outlook a pantheist and idealist, Naim supported the emanicipation of women and universal education. He was naturally as opposed to the Megali idea (that Greece should take over and run the Ottoman Empire) as well as to Panslavism. After Scanderbeg's death in 1468, all of Albania eventually fell to the Ottoman Turks where it was to remain for almost 500 years. It was not until the late 19th and early 20th centuries that a national movement for Albania's independence became a major force.

Naim Frasheri was foremost in that movement. Born in 1846, he spent most of his life propagating the Albanian cause. His influence with the Turkish adminstration gave him unique opportunities to further Albanian nationalist activities such as the publication of the Albanian periodical Drita (Light) in 1864, and the opening of the first Albanian school in Korça (southern Albania) in 1866.

Romantic in style, Naim used simple language in his poetry so that uneducated people could grasp its meaning. His works were well understood by all Albanians - though until the Communist rule of Enver Hoxha, the literacy level in Albania was the lowest in Europe. The Turks had banned everything published in the Albanian language so his works had to be smuggled into and around Albania. This precious cargo was securely packed into sacks of grain and rolls of dry goods which were being delivered to shops.

One of the most cherished of Naim's poems is Bageti e Bujqesi ('Herds and Pastures', 1886). In this poem, Naim Frasheri exalted in poetry the beauty of Albania and the simple life of her people, expressing gratitude that she bestowed on him.

Albania, 1950, Naim Frasheri

Albania, 1979, Naim & Sami Frasheri

Albania, 2000, Naim Frasheri

Iran, 1997, Naim Frasheri