Fan Noli - Dead in Exile

A poem by the famous Albanian writer, poet, theologian, diplomat dedicated to Luigj Gurakuqi.

Theofan (Fan) Stilian Noli (January 6, 1882 March 13, 1965) was an Albanian-American writer, scholar, diplomat, politician, and founder of the Albanian Orthodox Church, who served as prime minister and regent of Albania in 1924.

Fan Noli is venerated in Albania as a champion of literature, history, theology, diplomacy, journalism, music and national unity. He played an important role in the consolidation of Demotic Greek as the national language of Greece with numerous translations of world literature masterpieces. His contribution to the English-language literature are also manifold: as a scholar and author of a series of publications on Scanderbeg, Shakespeare, Beethoven, religious texts and translations.

He acquired his education at Harvard and was ordained priest in 1908, establishing thereby the Albanian Church and elevating the Albanian language to ecclesiastic use. He briefly resided in Albania after the 1912 declaration of independence. After World War I, Noli led the diplomatic efforts for the reunification of Albania and received the support of U.S. President Wilson. Later he pursued a diplomatic-political career in Albania, successfully led the Albanian bid for membership in the League of Nations.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Albanian
• Poem
• poetry
• poezi
• Fan
• Noli
• Martyr
• Luigj
• Gurakuqi
• literature
• art