Drita (magazine)
Encyclopedia
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.
. It was initially printed in Istanbul
, Turkey
(then Ottoman Empire
) in 1883 for the first time. The Central Committee for Defending Albanian Rights
, the Society for the Printing of the Albanian writings and their president, Sami Frashëri, were the main contributors of the magazine, however their identity was secret at that time. The magazine's publisher was Petro Poga
. Drita changed its name to Dituria (meaning in English "Knowledge") after the third issue and moved the magazine's base to Bucharest
. The magazine was placed under the direction of Pandeli Sotiri
.
The publication was known to be against the wishes of the authorities and one of the writers, Naim Frashëri
signed his name as just "D" to try to avoid being identified. The committee that supported the magazine also published books of the bible in Albanian. They managed to publish both the Gospel of Matthew
and the book of Genesis
This magazine was not just the first scholarly magazine in Albanian, it was part of the first modern use of written Albanian. The magazine was only possible because of the work of Koto Hoxhi
, Sami Frashëri, Pashko Vasa
and Jani Vreto
who had devised an alphabet for expressing the Albanian language in 1879. Based on this is was possible to create the first alphabet book
in Albanian, translate the Bible and publish Drita.
To avoid censureship, the magazine focused mainly on cultural issues. Publications continued through 1885 until the Ottoman Government halted its publication completely. At the same time the Ottoman government halted the existence of the Society for the Printing of the Albanian writings, that had been established in Istambul by Sami Frashëri.
Publications restarted later in the 19th century first in Bucarest, Romania
, and later in Sofia
, Bulgaria
, by Shahin Kolonja
and the magazine retook its original name, Drita. Several articles published by Petro Nini Luarasi
, who was editor-in-chief at that time, appeared on the magazine in the 1906-1908 period.
, and now in an independent Albania. Urani Rumbo
published several articles in Drita, which discussed the need to improve the rights and education of girls and women in Albania. In 1920 Urani Rumbo and others had published a declaration which signified the birth of the Women's Union in Albania ' onMouseout='HidePop("6376")' href="/topics/Albania_under_Italy">Fascist Italy presence in Albania
in 1939-43 and the Nazi Germany presence in Albania
in 1943-44 the magazine had to close for the third time.
and became the official magazine of the Albanian League of Writers and Artists
. Editor in chief of the magazine for some time was Teodor Keko
, a well known Albanian writer. The disbandment of the League in 2007, had the Association of the Young Modern Artists of Albania take over the magazine, which is still currently published.
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...
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 published in AlbanianAlbanian language
Albanian is an Indo-European language spoken by approximately 7.6 million people, primarily in Albania and Kosovo but also in other areas of the Balkans in which there is an Albanian population, including western Macedonia, southern Montenegro, southern Serbia and northwestern Greece...
. It was initially printed in Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
, 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...
(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...
) in 1883 for the first time. 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,...
, the Society for the Printing of the Albanian writings and their president, Sami Frashëri, were the main contributors of the magazine, however their identity was secret at that time. The magazine's publisher was Petro Poga
Petro Poga
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 . He went to the Zosimea Greek language School of Ioannina, Greece and then graduated in Jurisprudence from the Istanbul...
. Drita changed its name to Dituria (meaning in English "Knowledge") after the third issue and moved the magazine's base to Bucharest
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
. The magazine was placed under the direction of 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...
.
The publication was known to be against the wishes of the authorities and one of the writers, 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...
signed his name as just "D" to try to avoid being identified. The committee that supported the magazine also published books of the bible in Albanian. They managed to publish both the Gospel of Matthew
Gospel of Matthew
The Gospel According to Matthew is one of the four canonical gospels, one of the three synoptic gospels, and the first book of the New Testament. It tells of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth...
and the book of Genesis
This magazine was not just the first scholarly magazine in Albanian, it was part of the first modern use of written Albanian. The magazine was only possible because of the work of 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:...
, Sami Frashëri, Pashko Vasa
Pashko Vasa
Pashko Vasa also known as Vaso Pasha or Vaso Pashë Shkodrani, was an Albanian writer, poet and publicist of the Albanian National Awakening, and Governor of Lebanon from 1882 until his death.-Secretary in the British Consulate:From 1842 to 1847 he worked as a secretary for the...
and 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...
who had devised an alphabet for expressing the Albanian language in 1879. Based on this is was possible to create the first alphabet book
Alphabet book
An Alphabet book is a book primarily designed for young children. It presents letters of the alphabet with corresponding words and/or images. Some alphabet books feature capitals and lower case letter forms, keywords beginning with specific letters, or illustrations of keywords...
in Albanian, translate the Bible and publish Drita.
To avoid censureship, the magazine focused mainly on cultural issues. Publications continued through 1885 until the Ottoman Government halted its publication completely. At the same time the Ottoman government halted the existence of the Society for the Printing of the Albanian writings, that had been established in Istambul by Sami Frashëri.
Publications restarted later in the 19th century first in Bucarest, Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
, and later in Sofia
Sofia
Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria and the 12th largest city in the European Union with a population of 1.27 million people. It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of Mount Vitosha and approximately at the centre of the Balkan Peninsula.Prehistoric settlements were excavated...
, Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
, by 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...
and the magazine retook its original name, Drita. Several articles published by Petro Nini Luarasi
Petro Nini Luarasi
Petro Nini Luarasi was an Albanian rilindas activist, Christian orthodox priest, teacher and journalist...
, who was editor-in-chief at that time, appeared on the magazine in the 1906-1908 period.
History: 1922-1945
In 1922 the magazine restarted its publications again under Petro Poga. This time it was published in GjirokasterGjirokastër
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...
, and now in an independent Albania. Urani Rumbo
Urani Rumbo
Urani Rumbo was an Albanian feminist, teacher and playwright. She founded various associations promoting women's rights, the most important of which was Lidhja e Gruas , one of first prominent feminist organizations of Albania.- Biography :Urani Rumbo was born in December 1895 in Stegopuli, a...
published several articles in Drita, which discussed the need to improve the rights and education of girls and women in Albania. In 1920 Urani Rumbo and others had published a declaration which signified the birth of the Women's Union in Albania ' onMouseout='HidePop("6376")' href="/topics/Albania_under_Italy">Fascist Italy presence in Albania
Albania under Italy
The Albanian Kingdom existed as a protectorate of the Kingdom of Italy. It was practically a union between Italy and Albania, officially led by Italy's King Victor Emmanuel III and its government: Albania was led by Italian governors, after being militarily occupied by Italy, from 1939 until 1943...
in 1939-43 and the Nazi Germany presence in Albania
Albania under Nazi Germany
The Albanian Kingdom existed as a de jure independent country, between 1943 and 1944. The usual de facto name in most of the historic German literature and documents is Großalbanien, sometimes Gross-Albanien...
in 1943-44 the magazine had to close for the third time.
History: 1945-present
The magazine reopened in 1945 right after World War IIWorld 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...
and became the official magazine of the Albanian League of Writers and Artists
Albanian League of Writers and Artists
The Albanian League of Writers and Artists is an organization of creators, located in Tirana, Albania, which includes writers, composers, and artists and critics of the literary and artistic values.- History :...
. Editor in chief of the magazine for some time was Teodor Keko
Teodor Keko
-Life:Keko was born in the Albanian capital, Tirana, to cinematographer parents Endri and Xhanfize Keko. In 1979 he started his studies for Gjuhë dhe Letërsi Shqipe in the University of Tirana, where he graduated in 1983. During his study he met his wife Xhulieta, who studied English language and...
, a well known Albanian writer. The disbandment of the League in 2007, had the Association of the Young Modern Artists of Albania take over the magazine, which is still currently published.