Qemal Butka
Encyclopedia
Qemal Butka was an Albanian
architect, painter, politician, and postage stamp
s engraver. He was mayor of Tirana
from 1935-1936 but departed from Albania
in 1939 to live in Turkey
and the United States
. He is also known for projecting several monuments and buildings in Albania.
, Ottoman Empire
, now in the Kolonjë District
, modern Albania. His father was killed during World War I
, and he was raised by his uncle and Albanian patriot, Sali Butka
. His cousin Safet Butka
, Sali's son, took him to Austria
while he was studying there. Qemal finished his secondary education in Austria and in 1931 he graduated from Vienna University of Technology
, with the title of architect engineer.
While a high school student, Butka endeavored in painting; he worked on two well known paintings of Ismail Qemali
and of Bajram Curri
in 1927, and also on a postcard with the theme of respecting religions.
In 1931, upon graduation, Butka returned to Albania and worked mostly on architectural projects. Because of his talent, Zog of Albania
declared him the winning architect of the international competition which decided who would project the Mother Queen Monument, a memorial dedicated to Sadijé Toptani
, Zog's mother, who had died in 1934. The monument, located in what is now in the Tirana Park on the Artificial Lake
, was destroyed by the Communist government in the 1950s.
Among his other famous works in Albania are the building of the National Library of Albania
, a Monument to the National Freedom, the building of the municipality of Korçë
, and a 25th anniversary commemorative plaque of the Albanian Declaration of Independence
.
Qemal Butka distinguished himself in the construction of villa
s in Tirana, Durrës
and other Albanian cities, which still stand today as testimony of a very solid architecture. Butka is known to have engraved many series of postage stamp
s, distinguishing himself in the philately field; his stamps' series of the 25th anniversary of the Albanian Independence will be remembered as a notable series.
From 21 October 1935 to 7 November 1936 Qemal Butka was nominated as mayor by Mehdi Frasheri, then Prime Minister of Albania.
In 1939, after Fascist Italy invaded Albania, Butka emigrated to Turkey
via Greece
along with Albanian writer Branko Merxhani. He stayed in Turkey from 1940 to 1958 with the exception of the 1943-1945 period when he went to Cairo
, Egypt
for work. In Turkey he met and married his future wife, Cecile, daughter of Mehmet Kamil Berk, who was the personal doctor of Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey. Cecile herself was an architect.
In 1958 Butka and wife emigrated to the United States
, where they resided until the 1990s. In the US Butka worked as an architect in prestigious studios, whereas his wife, Cecile, participated in the construction project of the Twin Towers
of New York City
. Several times Qemal Butka tried to visit Albania as a US citizen, but his entry was refused by Communist authorities. He managed to do so only in 1987 through Austria after the death of Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha
. After 1990 he definitively returned to Albania, where he died on November 28 1997.
Albanians
Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
architect, painter, politician, and postage stamp
Postage stamp
A postage stamp is a small piece of paper that is purchased and displayed on an item of mail as evidence of payment of postage. Typically, stamps are made from special paper, with a national designation and denomination on the face, and a gum adhesive on the reverse side...
s engraver. He was mayor of Tirana
Tirana
Tirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet, although the area has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Tirana became Albania's capital city in 1920 and has a population of over...
from 1935-1936 but departed from 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...
in 1939 to live in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He is also known for projecting several monuments and buildings in Albania.
Life
Qemal Butka was born in 1907 in the village of ButkëButkë
-Notable people:*Safet Butka, World War II freedom fighter*Sali Butka, 19th and early 20th century freedom fighter*Qemal Butka, mayor of Tirana...
, 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...
, now in the Kolonjë District
Kolonjë District
The Kolonjë District , is one of the thirty-six districts of Albania, part of Korçë County. It has a population of 14,318 . The district has an area of 805 km². It is in the south-east of the country, and its capital is Ersekë. Other towns in this district include Leskovik to the south...
, modern Albania. His father was killed during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, and he was raised by his uncle and Albanian patriot, Sali Butka
Sali Butka
Sali Butka was an Albanian nationalist figure, kachak, poet, and one of the delegates of the city of Korçë to the Albanian National Congress of Lushnjë.Butka was born in village Butkë of Kolonjë District...
. His cousin Safet Butka
Safet Butka
Safet Butka was an Albanian professor, politician and nationalist. Son of famous patriot Sali Butka, he organized the student demonstrations in April 1939 during the Italian invasion and was interned in Ventotene. Upon his return he organized antifascist movements in his native region and was one...
, Sali's son, took him to Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
while he was studying there. Qemal finished his secondary education in Austria and in 1931 he graduated from Vienna University of Technology
Vienna University of Technology
Vienna University of Technology is one of the major universities in Vienna, the capital of Austria. Founded in 1815 as the "Imperial-Royal Polytechnic Institute" , it currently has about 26,200 students , 8 faculties and about 4,000 staff members...
, with the title of architect engineer.
While a high school student, Butka endeavored in painting; he worked on two well known paintings of 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 of Bajram Curri
Bajram Curri
Bajram Curri was an ethnic Albanian politician and activist within the Vilayet of Kosovo, Ottoman Empire. He is awarded the title Hero of Albania....
in 1927, and also on a postcard with the theme of respecting religions.
In 1931, upon graduation, Butka returned to Albania and worked mostly on architectural projects. Because of his talent, Zog of Albania
Zog of Albania
Zog I, Skanderbeg III of the Albanians , born Ahmet Muhtar Bey Zogolli, was King of the Albanians from 1928 to 1939. He was previously Prime Minister of Albania and President of Albania .-Background and early political career:...
declared him the winning architect of the international competition which decided who would project the Mother Queen Monument, a memorial dedicated to Sadijé Toptani
Sadijé Toptani
Sadiya Toptani Khanum as the daughter of Salah Bey Toptani and as sister to Essad Pasha and a member of the powerful Toptani family...
, Zog's mother, who had died in 1934. The monument, located in what is now in the Tirana Park on the Artificial Lake
Tirana Park on the Artificial Lake
The Tirana Park on the Artificial Lake or the Big Park of Tirana , or even the Park of Saint Procopius , is a 230-hectare public park situated on the southern part of Tirana, Albania...
, was destroyed by the Communist government in the 1950s.
Among his other famous works in Albania are the building of the National Library of Albania
National Library of Albania
The National Library of Albania is an Albanian national library headquartered in the capital, Tirana. It was founded in 1920 and inaugurated on December 10, 1922.- References :...
, a Monument to the National Freedom, the building of the municipality of Korçë
Korçë
Korçë is a city in southeastern Albania and the capital of the Korçë District. It has a population of around 105,000 people , making it the sixth largest city in Albania...
, and a 25th anniversary commemorative plaque of the Albanian Declaration of Independence
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:...
.
Qemal Butka distinguished himself in the construction of villa
Villa
A villa was originally an ancient Roman upper-class country house. Since its origins in the Roman villa, the idea and function of a villa have evolved considerably. After the fall of the Roman Republic, villas became small farming compounds, which were increasingly fortified in Late Antiquity,...
s in Tirana, Durrës
Durrës
Durrës is the second largest city of Albania located on the central Albanian coast, about west of the capital Tirana. It is one of the most ancient and economically important cities of Albania. Durres is situated at one of the narrower points of the Adriatic Sea, opposite the Italian ports of Bari...
and other Albanian cities, which still stand today as testimony of a very solid architecture. Butka is known to have engraved many series of postage stamp
Postage stamp
A postage stamp is a small piece of paper that is purchased and displayed on an item of mail as evidence of payment of postage. Typically, stamps are made from special paper, with a national designation and denomination on the face, and a gum adhesive on the reverse side...
s, distinguishing himself in the philately field; his stamps' series of the 25th anniversary of the Albanian Independence will be remembered as a notable series.
From 21 October 1935 to 7 November 1936 Qemal Butka was nominated as mayor by Mehdi Frasheri, then Prime Minister of Albania.
In 1939, after Fascist Italy invaded Albania, Butka emigrated to Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
via Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
along with Albanian writer Branko Merxhani. He stayed in Turkey from 1940 to 1958 with the exception of the 1943-1945 period when he went to Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
, Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
for work. In Turkey he met and married his future wife, Cecile, daughter of Mehmet Kamil Berk, who was the personal doctor of Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey. Cecile herself was an architect.
In 1958 Butka and wife emigrated to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, where they resided until the 1990s. In the US Butka worked as an architect in prestigious studios, whereas his wife, Cecile, participated in the construction project of the Twin Towers
World Trade Center
The original World Trade Center was a complex with seven buildings featuring landmark twin towers in Lower Manhattan, New York City, United States. The complex opened on April 4, 1973, and was destroyed in 2001 during the September 11 attacks. The site is currently being rebuilt with five new...
of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Several times Qemal Butka tried to visit Albania as a US citizen, but his entry was refused by Communist authorities. He managed to do so only in 1987 through Austria after the death of Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha
Enver Hoxha
Enver Halil Hoxha was a Marxist–Leninist revolutionary andthe leader of Albania from the end of World War II until his death in 1985, as the First Secretary of the Party of Labour of Albania...
. After 1990 he definitively returned to Albania, where he died on November 28 1997.