Plane tree turns into wood sculpture to customary Code drafter

TIRANA, July 25 – A wood sculpture dedicated to Idriz Suli, the drafter of the 18th century Laberia customary Code in southern Albania is being erected in the Zhulat village of the Gjirokastra district, exactly where a centuries-old plane tree died. The sculpture is being created by amateur artist Murat Kerra using wood from the old dead plane tree. Although sitting on a stone, the sculpture featuring Idriz Suli clearly unveils traditional clothes such as the local kilt, the fez, the embroidered vest, firearms and traditional shoes. The sculpture 4.5 metres long and 2 metres wide features Idriz Suli, and the laberia Code which he drafted in the 18th century. It is said that the Code was approved by the local elderly men in a meeting at the ancient plane tree in the 18th century.
The most famous customary code in Albania is that of Leke Dukagjini, a 15th century contemporary of Skanderbeg, who drafted the code of law governing life in northern Albania.