Petro Poga
Encyclopedia
Petro Poga was one of the signatories of Albanian Declaration of Independence
in 1912 and one of the most important Albanian Rilindas.
He was born in Erind
, Gjirokastër
, Albania
(then Ottoman Empire
). He went to the Zosimea Greek language School of Ioannina
, Greece
(then Ottoman Empire
) and then graduated in Jurisprudence from the Istanbul University
. In Istanbul he was active part of the Central Committee for Defending Albanian Rights
, and the Society for the Printing of Albanian Writings. These two associations, both founded by Sami Frashëri, included Naim Frashëri
, Abdyl Frashëri
, Jani Vreto
, Koto Hoxhi
, Shahin Kolonja
, Hasan Tahsini
, and Ismail Qemali
and aimed to create an independent Albania.
In 1884 Poga founded and started publishing the Drita
in Istambul. As Muslim Albanians were not allowed to write in Albanian at that time, Albanian writers such as Naim Frasheri
and Sami Frasheri would write using pseudonyms. The magazine was later published by Pandeli Sotiri
, under the name of Dituria ("Knowledge" in English).
In his memories Petro Poga wrote:
In 1906-1908, Petro Poga was in Gjirokastër where he contributed with the propagation of the Albanian language and the Albanian identity. One of his most important roles was the foundation of the patriotic club "Drita" of Gjirokastër, which was further led by Albanian patriots Hasan Xhiku, Idriz Guri, Hysen Hoxha, and Elmaz Boçe
.
Petro Poga strongly advocated for the Albanian move towards independence in 1912. He was elected as one of the representatives of Gjirokastër to the National Assembly of Vlora which declared Albania's independence from the Ottoman Empire.
After Albania's independence in 1912 he was a Minister of Justice in the first Albanian government and acted twice as a Prime Minister of Albania (1 February 1925 - 23 September 1925 and 12 February 1927 - 20 October 1927).
Poga became the President of the Supreme Court of Albania
in 1913-1915. Along with Kristaq Tutulani and Feim Mezhgorani he drafted the Statute that separated the Albanian Justice system from the jurisdiction of the Ottoman Empire
. On December 25, 1918 he was the representative of Gjirokastër
in the Durrës Congress, where he was elected vicepresident and member of the Turhan Përmeti cabinet. Along with Luigj Gurakuqi
in his discussions in this Congress he asked to adopt a law to respect religious freedoms according to European standards of that time. He also gave his contribution to draft the Albanian legislation and the Constitution of the Albanian Kingdom in 1928.
Poga spent his last years in his childhood village in Erind.
Albanian Declaration of Independence
The Albanian Declaration of Independence is the declaration of independence of the Albanian Vilayet from the Ottoman Empire. Albania was proclaimed independent in Vlorë on November 28, 1912.-Background:...
in 1912 and one of the most important Albanian Rilindas.
He was born in Erind
Erind
Erind is a small town in the district of Gjirokastër, southern Albania....
, Gjirokastër
Gjirokastër
Gjirokastër is a city in southern Albania with a population of 43,000. Lying in the historical region of Epirus, it is the capital of both the Gjirokastër District and the larger Gjirokastër County...
, Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
(then Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
). He went to the Zosimea Greek language School of Ioannina
Ioannina
Ioannina , often called Jannena within Greece, is the largest city of Epirus, north-western Greece, with a population of 70,203 . It lies at an elevation of approximately 500 meters above sea level, on the western shore of lake Pamvotis . It is located within the Ioannina municipality, and is the...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
(then Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
) and then graduated in Jurisprudence from the Istanbul University
Istanbul University
Istanbul University is a Turkish university located in Istanbul. The main campus is adjacent to Beyazıt Square.- Synopsis :A madrasa, a religious school, was established sometime in the 15th century after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople. An institution of higher education named the...
. In Istanbul he was active part of the Central Committee for Defending Albanian Rights
Central Committee for Defending Albanian Rights
The Central Committee for Defending Albanian Rights was formed in the city of Istanbul, Turkey, then Ottoman Empire in 1877 by an influential group of Albanian intellectuals, patriots, and politicians, such as Sami Frashëri, Pashko Vasa, Abdyl Frashëri, Jani Vreto, Ymer Prizreni, Zija Prishtina,...
, and the Society for the Printing of Albanian Writings. These two associations, both founded by Sami Frashëri, included Naim Frashëri
Naim Frashëri
Naim Frashëri was an Albanian poet and writer. He was one of the most prominent figures of the Albanian National Awakening of the 19th century, together with his two brothers Sami and Abdyl...
, Abdyl Frashëri
Abdyl Frashëri
Abdyl Frashëri People's Hero of Albania was an Albanian diplomat, politician, writer, and a first political ideologue of the Albanian National Awakening through the League of Prizren...
, Jani Vreto
Jani Vreto
Jani Vreto was an Albanian writer, publisher and important figure of the Albanian National Awakening.- Life :Jani Vreto was born in Postenan, a village near Leskovik, southern Albania in 1822...
, Koto Hoxhi
Koto Hoxhi
Koto Hoxhi was an advocate of the Albanian language. He taught this language secretly to his students in Qestorat in Southern Albania. He was imprisoned and died in prison for his beliefs.-Biography:...
, Shahin Kolonja
Shahin Kolonja
Shahin Kolonja was an Albanian journalist and politician.Born in Starje, southern Albania Kolonja was a graduate of the school of civil service and had served as director of several idadiye schools. Later he was arrested in Bitola and sentenced to three years in prison for disseminating...
, Hasan Tahsini
Hasan Tahsini
Hasan Tahsini also known as Hoxha Tahsin was an Albanian astronomer, mathematician and philosopher. He was the first rector of Istanbul University and one of the founders of the Central Committee for Defending Albanian Rights...
, and Ismail Qemali
Ismail Qemali
Ismail Qemal Bej Vlora or commonly Ismail Qemali and in Turkish İsmail Kemal Bey or İsmail Kemal Vlora , was a distinguished leader of the Albanian national movement, founder of the modern Albanian state and its first head of state and government.-Life:He was born in Avlonya to a noble family...
and aimed to create an independent Albania.
In 1884 Poga founded and started publishing the Drita
Drita (magazine)
Drita magazine is an Albanian literary magazine published by the Association of the Young Modern Artists of Albania . Drita was one of the first magazines in the Albanian language. It has been published for 127 years with some interruptions.-History: 1883-1922:Drita was one of the first magazines...
in Istambul. As Muslim Albanians were not allowed to write in Albanian at that time, Albanian writers such as Naim Frasheri
Naim Frashëri
Naim Frashëri was an Albanian poet and writer. He was one of the most prominent figures of the Albanian National Awakening of the 19th century, together with his two brothers Sami and Abdyl...
and Sami Frasheri would write using pseudonyms. The magazine was later published by Pandeli Sotiri
Pandeli Sotiri
Pandeli Sotiri was an Albanian activist that acted as director of the first Albanian school of modern times in Korçë. Sotiri was one of the most important Rilindas figures that contributed in the propagation of the Albanian language. He also worked on one of the versions of the Albanian alphabet...
, under the name of Dituria ("Knowledge" in English).
In his memories Petro Poga wrote:
The magazine Drita awakened the sacred national ideal and influenced to establish in the Albanians' hearts the thought that religions can not change a nation, because they cannot change the language and customs that create a nation.
In 1906-1908, Petro Poga was in Gjirokastër where he contributed with the propagation of the Albanian language and the Albanian identity. One of his most important roles was the foundation of the patriotic club "Drita" of Gjirokastër, which was further led by Albanian patriots Hasan Xhiku, Idriz Guri, Hysen Hoxha, and Elmaz Boçe
Elmaz Boçe
Elmaz Boçe was one of the signatories of Albanian Declaration of Independence.-References:*"History of Albanian People," Albanian Academy of Science. ISBN 99927-1-623-1...
.
Petro Poga strongly advocated for the Albanian move towards independence in 1912. He was elected as one of the representatives of Gjirokastër to the National Assembly of Vlora which declared Albania's independence from the Ottoman Empire.
After Albania's independence in 1912 he was a Minister of Justice in the first Albanian government and acted twice as a Prime Minister of Albania (1 February 1925 - 23 September 1925 and 12 February 1927 - 20 October 1927).
Poga became the President of the Supreme Court of Albania
Supreme Court of Albania
The Supreme Court of Albania is the highest court of Albania and is the final court of appeal in the Albanian justice system. The Supreme Court of Albania is composed of fourteen judges: the Chief Justice of Albania and thirteen Judges.-Background:...
in 1913-1915. Along with Kristaq Tutulani and Feim Mezhgorani he drafted the Statute that separated the Albanian Justice system from the jurisdiction of the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
. On December 25, 1918 he was the representative of Gjirokastër
Gjirokastër
Gjirokastër is a city in southern Albania with a population of 43,000. Lying in the historical region of Epirus, it is the capital of both the Gjirokastër District and the larger Gjirokastër County...
in the Durrës Congress, where he was elected vicepresident and member of the Turhan Përmeti cabinet. Along with Luigj Gurakuqi
Luigj Gurakuqi
Luigj Gurakuqi was an Albanian writer and politician. He was an important figure of the Albanian National Awakening and was honoured with the People's Hero of Albania medal.- Life :...
in his discussions in this Congress he asked to adopt a law to respect religious freedoms according to European standards of that time. He also gave his contribution to draft the Albanian legislation and the Constitution of the Albanian Kingdom in 1928.
Poga spent his last years in his childhood village in Erind.