Safet Butka
Encyclopedia
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 of the founders of the nationalist organization Balli Kombëtar
. Distressed by internal civil war in Albania, he killed himself in 1943.
, Kolonjë District
, southern Albania
on August 10, 1901. He was the fifth child of Sali Butka
, a 19th century nationalist figure, kachak
, poet, and one of the delegates of the city of Korçë
to the Albanian National Congress
of Lushnjë
. After he finished the elementary school in his native village, he went for further studies in Linz
, Austria
, where he finished high school. During his stay in Linz he took under his wing his younger cousin, Qemal Butka
, a famous Albanian architect who would later become the mayor of Tirana
. After high school, Safet Butka went on to study in the University of Graz
where he graduated with honors in Philosophy in 1928.
During his stay in Austria, he was the organizer of the student association Albania. He also published a collection of selected Naim Frashëri
poetry and in 1925 a study on Naim Frashëri's work. He returned to Albania in 1928 and was appointed professor in the French Lycee of Korçë
. In 1929 he married Hatixhe Lubonja, with whom he had 4 children, Sali, Iljaz, Uran and Tefta Butka.
From 1928 to 1939 he worked as a teacher and principal in various high schools in the Albanian cities of Korcë
, Vlorë
and Gjirokastër
. Professor Safet Butka was also a former Principal of the Tirana
Lycee. He was also the director of the first Albanian Educators club and was one of the first professors to apply western methods in the teaching process in his country. Following his youth's work, he also organized the return of Naim Frashëri
's remains from Turkey
to Albania. At this time he also published many works and articles in pedagogical, social and philosophical journals. His career ended in 1939 when he was the director of the State Gymnasium of Tirana. He was one of the organizers of the student demonstrations in April 1939 during the Italian invasion of Albania
and on 28 November 1939 (Albanian independence day
). For these activities he was arrested, charged as an antifascist, and later interned in on Ventotene
island, Italy
, by the fascist authorities.
and had recovered from the military depots in the village of Dardhe
, Suli, Graçan, Progri, Pleshishti, and Verbinj all the agricultural produce (corn, tobacco, wool, etc.) which the Italians had requisitioned and restored to its owners.
His forces attacked Italians on Floq in January 1943, Vithkuq
in March 1943 and in the Battle of Pocestë in September 1943. Accompanied by British officers, his forces also attacked a German
convoy in Barmash
on 13 August 1943.
On the 25th of March, 1943, Butke's forces engaged and deafeated a whole Italian detachment in the vicinity of Voskopoje, a locality in the mountainous region to the west of Korçë
. There were considerable casualties on both sides, but the volunteer and guerrilla group killed the greater number of Italian soldiers and the remnant surrendered and were taken prisoner. This same group attacked the enemy headquarters at Voskopoje, where Safet Butka Liberated all the political prisoners, and he took from the military depots at Erseke an important quantity of arms and munitions.
Butka was one of the founders of Balli Kombëtar
, a patriotic organization dating to World War II
. Although a staunch nationalist, he tried at various times to cooperate with the Communist-dominated Liberation Front. In February 1943 he organized a meeting with Communist representatives and an agreement for cooperation was reached in March 1943. He also made another local agreement in August 1943 and was one of the initiators and supporters of the Mukje Agreement
.
After the denouncement of the Mukje Agreement
by Albanian communists, he was exasperated. He feared a civil war between Albanians and when asked on the matter, always stated that The only Albanian that I will kill will be myself. From 9 to 13 September in Pocestë, the forces of Safet Butka, together with partisan forces attacked the Italian convoy that was retreating from the city of Korçë, blocking its progress for 5 days. On his way home he was informed of the first clashes between Albanian partisans and Balli Kombëtar. Upon hearing such news, he killed himself on 19 September 1943 in the village of Melçan, faithful to his word.
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...
professor, politician and nationalist. Son of famous 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...
, he organized the student demonstrations in April 1939 during the Italian invasion and was interned in Ventotene
Ventotene
Ventotene, in Roman times known as Pandataria or Pandateria from the Greek Pandoteira, is one of the Pontine Islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the coast of Gaeta right at the border between Lazio and Campania, Italy...
. Upon his return he organized antifascist movements in his native region and was one of the founders of the nationalist organization Balli Kombëtar
Balli Kombëtar
Balli Kombëtar was an Albanian nationalist, anti-communist and anti-monarchy organization established in October 1939. It was led by Ali Këlcyra and Mit’hat Frashëri...
. Distressed by internal civil war in Albania, he killed himself in 1943.
Early life
Safet Butka was born in ButkëButkë
-Notable people:*Safet Butka, World War II freedom fighter*Sali Butka, 19th and early 20th century freedom fighter*Qemal Butka, mayor of Tirana...
, 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...
, southern 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...
on August 10, 1901. He was the fifth child of 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...
, a 19th century nationalist figure, kachak
Kachak
A Kachak is an originally Turkish term for rebel or bandit. In Albania the term is used to define guerrilla units established by Albanian revolutionaries who fought in Albanian inhabited areas against foreign rule during the period of the Albanian National Awakening and the early 20th century in...
, poet, and one of the delegates of the city 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...
to the Albanian National Congress
Congress of Lushnjë
The Congress of Lushnjë was held in five sessions on January 27-January 31, 1920 in Lushnjë, Albania by Albanian nationalists and had as its goal the study of the Albanian situation and the measures to be adopted in order to save Albania from being partitioned among other countries after World War I...
of Lushnjë
Lushnjë
Lushnjë or Lushnje is a city in Central-West Albania located at 40.95°N, 19.71°E. It is the center of the District of Lushnje in the County of Fier and has a population of about 54,813. The town was founded in late medieval times by a Turkish widow called Salushe. She built a rest stop on the...
. After he finished the elementary school in his native village, he went for further studies in Linz
Linz
Linz is the third-largest city of Austria and capital of the state of Upper Austria . It is located in the north centre of Austria, approximately south of the Czech border, on both sides of the river Danube. The population of the city is , and that of the Greater Linz conurbation is about...
, 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...
, where he finished high school. During his stay in Linz he took under his wing his younger cousin, Qemal Butka
Qemal Butka
Qemal Butka was an Albanian architect, painter, politician, and postage stamps engraver. He was mayor of Tirana from 1935-1936 but departed from Albania in 1939 to live in Turkey and the United States...
, a famous Albanian architect who would later become the 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...
. After high school, Safet Butka went on to study in the University of Graz
University of Graz
The University of Graz , a university located in Graz, Austria, is the second-largest and second-oldest university in Austria....
where he graduated with honors in Philosophy in 1928.
During his stay in Austria, he was the organizer of the student association Albania. He also published a collection of selected 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...
poetry and in 1925 a study on Naim Frashëri's work. He returned to Albania in 1928 and was appointed professor in the French Lycee 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...
. In 1929 he married Hatixhe Lubonja, with whom he had 4 children, Sali, Iljaz, Uran and Tefta Butka.
From 1928 to 1939 he worked as a teacher and principal in various high schools in the Albanian cities of Korcë
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...
, Vlorë
Vlorë
Vlorë is one of the biggest towns and the second largest port city of Albania, after Durrës, with a population of about 94,000 . It is the city where the Albanian Declaration of Independence was proclaimed on November 28, 1912...
and 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...
. Professor Safet Butka was also a former Principal of the 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...
Lycee. He was also the director of the first Albanian Educators club and was one of the first professors to apply western methods in the teaching process in his country. Following his youth's work, he also organized the return of 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...
's remains from 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...
to Albania. At this time he also published many works and articles in pedagogical, social and philosophical journals. His career ended in 1939 when he was the director of the State Gymnasium of Tirana. He was one of the organizers of the student demonstrations in April 1939 during the Italian invasion of Albania
Italian invasion of Albania
The Italian invasion of Albania was a brief military campaign by the Kingdom of Italy against the Albanian Kingdom. The conflict was a result of the imperialist policies of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini...
and on 28 November 1939 (Albanian independence day
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:...
). For these activities he was arrested, charged as an antifascist, and later interned in on Ventotene
Ventotene
Ventotene, in Roman times known as Pandataria or Pandateria from the Greek Pandoteira, is one of the Pontine Islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the coast of Gaeta right at the border between Lazio and Campania, Italy...
island, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, by the fascist authorities.
World War II activities
Butka had been interned in Italy for two years until he was released in August 1942 and allowed to return to Albania. He then took to the mountains and became an outstanding leader of the Balli Kombëtar movement in the Korçë area. The nucleus of his guerrilla group was composed of 70 seasoned and highly experienced warriors, which in case of emergency could become a thousand men strong. The Butka group had been giving valuable assistance to the fighters at VlorëVlorë
Vlorë is one of the biggest towns and the second largest port city of Albania, after Durrës, with a population of about 94,000 . It is the city where the Albanian Declaration of Independence was proclaimed on November 28, 1912...
and had recovered from the military depots in the village of Dardhe
Dardhë
Dardhë is a community in the municipality of Drenovë in the Korçë District, Korçë County, Albania.A Greek school was operating in the village from 1810.-Notable people:*Sotir Peçi, mathematician, former Minister of Education and publisher....
, Suli, Graçan, Progri, Pleshishti, and Verbinj all the agricultural produce (corn, tobacco, wool, etc.) which the Italians had requisitioned and restored to its owners.
His forces attacked Italians on Floq in January 1943, Vithkuq
Vithkuq
Vithkuq is a municipality in the Korçë District, Korçë County, southeastern Albania. The municipality consists of the villages Vithkuq, Leshnje, Gjanc, Lubonjë, Rehovë, Roshanj, Trebickë, Grabockë, Treskë, Stratobërdh, Panarit, Shtyllë and Cemericë....
in March 1943 and in the Battle of Pocestë in September 1943. Accompanied by British officers, his forces also attacked a German
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
convoy in Barmash
Barmash
Barmash is a municipality in the Kolonjë District, Korçë County, southeastern Albania. The municipality consists of the villages Barmash, Leshnjë, Shalës, Gozhdorazhd, Sanjollas, Kamnik, Bënjëz, Radimisht, Arrëz and Rajan....
on 13 August 1943.
On the 25th of March, 1943, Butke's forces engaged and deafeated a whole Italian detachment in the vicinity of Voskopoje, a locality in the mountainous region to the west 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...
. There were considerable casualties on both sides, but the volunteer and guerrilla group killed the greater number of Italian soldiers and the remnant surrendered and were taken prisoner. This same group attacked the enemy headquarters at Voskopoje, where Safet Butka Liberated all the political prisoners, and he took from the military depots at Erseke an important quantity of arms and munitions.
Butka was one of the founders of Balli Kombëtar
Balli Kombëtar
Balli Kombëtar was an Albanian nationalist, anti-communist and anti-monarchy organization established in October 1939. It was led by Ali Këlcyra and Mit’hat Frashëri...
, a patriotic organization dating to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Although a staunch nationalist, he tried at various times to cooperate with the Communist-dominated Liberation Front. In February 1943 he organized a meeting with Communist representatives and an agreement for cooperation was reached in March 1943. He also made another local agreement in August 1943 and was one of the initiators and supporters of the Mukje Agreement
Mukje Agreement
The Mukje Agreement was a treaty signed on August 2, 1943 in the Albanian village of Mukje between the nationalist Balli Kombëtar and the communist National Liberation Movement on how to regulate the Albanian resistance in World War II and how to prepare for the future of Ethnic Albania.The...
.
After the denouncement of the Mukje Agreement
Mukje Agreement
The Mukje Agreement was a treaty signed on August 2, 1943 in the Albanian village of Mukje between the nationalist Balli Kombëtar and the communist National Liberation Movement on how to regulate the Albanian resistance in World War II and how to prepare for the future of Ethnic Albania.The...
by Albanian communists, he was exasperated. He feared a civil war between Albanians and when asked on the matter, always stated that The only Albanian that I will kill will be myself. From 9 to 13 September in Pocestë, the forces of Safet Butka, together with partisan forces attacked the Italian convoy that was retreating from the city of Korçë, blocking its progress for 5 days. On his way home he was informed of the first clashes between Albanian partisans and Balli Kombëtar. Upon hearing such news, he killed himself on 19 September 1943 in the village of Melçan, faithful to his word.