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By Dr. Genci Luarasi

During the middle of the 19^thcentury, Albania was culturally backward, due to the fact that there was no written alphabet of our mother tongue. In fact, during the 18^thcentury, Theodor Haxhifilipi of the Greek school started working on creating an alphabet that did not pass the experimental stage. Petro Nini Luarasi, a teacher and journalist, was the one who opened the first Albanian language school, despite the obstacles created by the GreekChurch. The first Albanian school was opened in Qestorat, Gjirokastra during the ‘80s of the 19^thcentury, whilst after 1878, the Albanian teacher secretly taught students Albanian in Turkish schools. The first official school was opened in 1886 in Korà§a, and after that many other schools were opened all over Albania.

In 1879, the League of Prizren set up a commission for creating an alphabet for the Albanian language. Writing in Albanian was first developed in Bucharest through publishing journals and Naim Frasheri’s writings.

In 1891, the patriotic and cultural society “Deshira” operated in Sofia, Bulgaria, and in 1896 it established a printing house, with the patriot, Kristo Luarasi in charge. Apart from furthering his education, he also acquired the profession of the typist and he worked at a Bulgarian printing house in Sofia. During the night, he printed books in Albanian, while during the remaining period of time he worked as one of the leaders of “Deshira” society. Later on, he managed to buy a printing machine, and bit by bit bought the other machinery, hence becoming independent from the Bulgarian printing houses.1)

In order to carry out education, academic, literary and journal publishing, a financial basis was required. These investments were initially provided by foreigners in their areas of influence. According to archive sources, it results that during 1903-1908, in this area, Austro-Hungary had subsidised the publication of “Drita” newspaper, owned by journalist, Shahin Kolonja, printed at Kristo Luarasi’ printing house “Mbrothesia” . Important data are provided on the type of subsidising, its product, control and the aspects of the organisational “conditions” for maintaining relationships with Austro-Hungary and Turkey. The most important amongst them were:

1.The establishment of a mutual information “onsite centre” by the Austro-Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During years 1903 – 1908, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Vienna was governed by the ministers: Count Von Golluhovski and Baron Von Ehrenthal, whilst the source information activity on field was carried out by the Consulates in the respective cities, according to the interested object. Consuls in Sofia by periods were Forgah, Otto von Czern, Turn, Shezho, and Kral in Shkodra and Manastir. What needs to be mentioned is that for the mentioned issues, Sofia and Shkodra were the main centres, thus combining their information and actions.

2.The object of the correspondence between the “centre andonsite” .

The documents available provide data on the relationship between the Austro-Hungarian consulate in Sofia, Manastir, and Shkodra related to giving financial subsidies for the publication of “Drita” newspaper at the “Mbrothà«sia” printing house. The records show their trust in the figures of Shahin Kolonja and Kristo Luarasi, based on their personality. Some of the issues that attract attention are the financial administration of the subsidised related to fund governance, the loyalty of their usage, the documentation and mutual relationships in implementing the termsgiven. On the other hand, the information was combined so that credibility be as high as possible!

Shahin Kolonja was the person that kept “Drita” newspaper alive. He travelled wherever there were Albanians, like Greece, Egypt, Romania 2) and found the materials needed for publication, the accuracy of the information, with figures included in the Albanian issue and found the required financing for publication, due to the fact that donors were few in number because people thought that the publications were sponsored by Gjin Aladro Kastrioti, an unreliable figure. Thus, donors withdrew. Furthermore, the Italian and Montenegrin policy was not in favour of Albanians, and that is why they expected “good things” to come from Austro-Hungary. Meanwhile, Kristo did not leave the printing house. He not only printed the books, but he also functioned as the editor of “Drita” newspaper, it was authorised that on the ground, financial actions were carried out by Kristo, with legal documents and they were to be sent to the centre and the available documents were to be declared.

In fact, the binomial Shahini-Luarasi functioned very good and the centre always kept in mind the excellent origin of Shahini, his high position as anofficial of the Turkish administration, who would sacrifice everything for the patriotic purposes. Thus, Consul Kral valued the role of Shahinbey, and considered Luarasi as an influential editor, able of all the literary issues of their noble and clean job. He suggested that the subsidising continued, in order for “Mbrothà«sia” printing house to continue publishing, mostly for the large problem of unifying the Albanian alphabet, through compensating the work and character of its two collaborators. He stated that the financial assistance from the Minister would represent their gratitude for publishing the newspaper.3).

According to the 1908 records, the Consul Kral informed the centre on the work carried out by the publishers for publishing in accordance with the terms of the agreement that functioned as a basis for the subsidy. 4), 5), 6),7).

In 1908, Baron Von Ehrenthal was the Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Consul Kral sent him a thorough record of the cooperation issues with the editors of “Drita” newspaper and “Mbrothà«sia” printing house. During 1907, both editors informed the Consulate on the financial difficulties of the publications, in other words the need to continue with the subsidies, with a higher bill, presenting the argument that Shahini was ill, and on the other hand they were not able to guarantee the required assistance from their fellow Albanians, Bajo Topulli and his friends. On the other hand, Kristo presented the difficulties in publishing, due to the fact that Shahini was not able to pay the newspapers, and the obligations of “Mbrothà«sia” printing houses, and also the need for Kristo to buy a house where he could settle his family and the printing house, coping for many years with the physical and material privations, thus not achieving the estimated incomes, due to the fact that during this period he had published many books. It is one of the most successful printing houses, but this is not reflected in its financial status. However, Consul Kral praises Shahini’s work, despite criticising him for letting go of himself a bit. On the other hand, his newspaper is very successful thanks to his work, but he has exaggerated it with unnecessary attacks towards the figure of the Sultan, which Shahini should not have repeated. Regardless all these, Count Kral recommends that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues with the subsidies of “Drita” newspaper, although during 1907 there were delays in the publishing of its issues, but measures were to be taken in case the obligations of Shahin Kolonja, as a publisher were neglected: the value for the proper publication of the newspaper was to be reduced, also, the figure of the Sultan was to not be mentioned. Furthermore, articles in Turkish were to be published, because this way it would be more appealable to the Muslim Albanians, due to their knowledge of the Turkish language, this way increasing the value of the assistance and respect towards Austro-Hungary.

This would be implemented step-by-step during 1909. In addition, the Istanbul Office would be informed for these measures 8). Apart from this, Count Kral from Shkodra, announces the submission of the certificates to the centre, as a pedantic administrative chorus of its order 9). In April of that year, information praising especially the work of Kristo Luarasi was sent to Consul Forgah in Sofia. The letter praised his work as the director of the publishing house “Mbrothà«sia” , who apart from being a director, also worked as the editor of “Drita” newspaper, by maintaining its programme. Thus subsidies will not be given until Shah bey returns, but they will be liquidated with Kristo Luarasi, who will provide them with the payment bill. Regarding the issues with Shahini, they shall not be discussed10).

The Ministry sent a report to Count Kral in Shkodra and to Count Turn in Sofia, regarding the assessment of the editors’ duties with Austro-Hungary. This report is substantially divided into two parts:

For publishing “Drita” newspaper, approves the opinion and request of the Consul Kral on the situation in Sofia, for continuing the financial support, openly expressing the request for additional information from the DiplomaticAgency for the Printing House activityin Sofia, for making the payment bills official and for sending them to the centre.
On the other hand, the centre accepts the Consulate control, which in other words criticises its work and reproaches Shkodra and Sofia: a) Seeing that Shahin has started to drink alcohol, he has neglected to respect the deadlines for the newspaper publication. The editor is Bajo Feim Topulli.
Kristo Luarasi has settled down quite properly. He has bought a house (according to the memoirs of Polikseni Luarasi he bought it with a loan). The Centre requires full, but discreet information 11). Following the verifications, Count Otto Cerni in Sofia confirms what the centre has already highlighted. 12). Thus, in the reply given to the Foreign Minister of Austro-Hungary, the situation of Shahin Kolonja is affirmed and the subsidies are suggested. In addition, it has been affirmed that Kristo Luarasi has bought a house with a price of 10.000 Francs, with the address Car Simeon Street. No. 63, and it is promised that “Drita” newspaper will continue to be published 13). Meanwhile, the Vienna administration continues to subsidise the work of “Drita” newspaper journalists, Shahin bey and Kristo Luarasi, attested with the receipt of the payment bills 14).

However, despite continuous assistance, on the 21^st of October 1908, Consul Kral notified Minister Von Ehrenthal that on the 6^th of October of the following year, editor Shahin Kolonja had suspended the publication of “Drita” newspaper, thus further subsidising was no longer necessary, and it was suggested that the funds be deposited, because they would be required for following publications of the newspapers! 15).

The conclusion was that Austro-Hungary supported the Albanian press in serving the nation. Despite all his flaws, Shahin Kolonja was considered as one of the most important figures of the National Renaissance. The same consideration was given to Kristo Luarasi, the director of “Mbrothà«sia” printing house, whose work guaranteed trust, and he was appreciated for his professional and managerial work.

In fact, in her book “Albanian Renaissance press in Bulgaria” , Bulgarian author, Bojka Sokollova emphasised that Austro-Hungary never did anything without having an interest, and it wished to maintain some of those interest in the Balkans at the expense of the peoples of the Ottoman empire and by competing with Italy. 16).

Documents:

The History of Albania, polish authors J.Hauzinskiand J. Lesni, 1992 pg.194-197