 |
Musine KokalariAlbanian writer and political activist
Date of Birth: 10.02.1917
Country:  Albania |
Content:
- Musine Kokalari: Albanian Writer and Political Activist
- Literary Beginnings
- Political Involvement
- Establishment of the Social Democratic Party
- Opposition to the Communist Regime
- Legal Opposition and Trial
- Imprisonment and Exile
- Literary Supppression and Final Years
- Legacy and Recognition
Musine Kokalari: Albanian Writer and Political Activist
Early Life and Literary CareerMusine Kokalari, born in Turkey to Albanian parents, was a renowned writer and political figure. Hailing from a distinguished family with a history of cultural and political activism, she was raised in an environment that fostered her love of literature. After completing her education at the prestigious Queen Mother's Teacher Training Institute, she pursued her literary aspirations in Italy, where she graduated with a degree in Literature and Philosophy. Her dissertation explored the works of the acclaimed Albanian poet and writer, Naim Frashëri.
Literary Beginnings
Kokalari's literary debut, "Si më thotë nënua plakë" (As Told by My Old Mother), was a collection of traditional Tosk Albanian folk tales. Published in 1941, it reflected her desire to capture the fading traditions of her hometown, Gjirokastër. This work is widely recognized as the first piece of literature written and published by a woman in Albania.
Political Involvement
Driven by a deep sense of patriotism and a desire for social justice, Kokalari entered the political arena. She adhered to democratic principles with a social-democratic orientation and firmly opposed both Italian and German occupation during the Second World War. However, she rejected the Communist Party of Albania (CPA), led by her distant relative, Enver Hoxha, due to her belief in individual liberty and her aversion to dictatorship.
Establishment of the Social Democratic Party
In February 1944, Kokalari founded the Social Democratic Party (PSD), the first such organization in Albanian history. Her party advocated for political freedom, social equality, and a democratic system based on universal suffrage. Despite the absence of a strong labor movement or social-democratic tradition in Albania, she garnered support from intellectuals and activists.
Opposition to the Communist Regime
The PSD faced fierce opposition from both the German occupiers and the communists. After the CPA seized power in November 1944, Kokalari's political activities were suppressed. She witnessed the arrests and executions of her brothers and colleagues, including Mithat Araniti, Skenfer Muço, and her own brothers, Muntas and Veisim.
Legal Opposition and Trial
Despite the repressive atmosphere, Kokalari continued to advocate for democratic principles through the PSD's newspaper, Zëri i lirisë (Voice of Freedom). She also joined forces with other anti-communist groups, such as the Democratic Union and the monarchist group led by Kenan Dibra.
In November 1945, Kokalari signed a joint petition demanding fair elections and international supervision of the vote. This act triggered a wave of arrests, including Kokalari's own in January 1946. During her trial, she stood firm in her convictions, rejecting accusations of collaboration with fascists and monarchists and asserting her love for her country despite her political differences.
Imprisonment and Exile
In July 1946, Kokalari was sentenced to 20 years in prison. She spent 18 years incarcerated in harsh conditions. After her release in 1964, she was interned in Rreshen, where she worked as a concrete worker and a janitor.
Literary Supppression and Final Years
Forbidden from publishing, Kokalari continued to write in secret. Her diaries documented the hardships endured by the working class under communism and criticized the regime's indifference to their plight.
In her final years, suffering from cancer, she was denied adequate medical care. She passed away in 1983 at the age of 66. A posthumous examination of her body revealed that her hands had been tied with wire before her burial, a testament to the cruelty of the dictatorship she had opposed.
Legacy and Recognition
Musine Kokalari's unwavering dedication to democratic ideals earned her the title of "Martyr of Democracy" after the fall of the communist regime. Her writings, including her diaries and memoirs, provide a valuable record of a turbulent period in Albanian history. Today, she is remembered as a symbol of courage, resilience, and the struggle for a just and free society.
