On April 22, 1865, in the village of Luaras in the region of Kolonjë, Albania, a remarkable figure was born—Petro Nini Luarasi. A devoted Orthodox Christian priest, teacher, journalist, and tireless activist of the Albanian National Renaissance, Luarasi played a crucial role in the development of Albanian national consciousness and the spread of education in the Albanian language during a time of great oppression.
Early Life and Education
Petro was the son of Nini Petro Kostallari, himself an active contributor to the Albanian National Renaissance, known for his work as a teacher and publicist. Petro followed a similar path. He completed his education at the Qestorat Seminary under the guidance of the patriotic educator Koto Hoxhi, where he was instilled with the values of enlightenment, resistance, and national pride.
After graduating, Luarasi began working as a teacher in the villages around Kolonjë, often teaching the Albanian language in secret. He trained a number of young men who would go on to become future Albanian-language educators. In 1887, after Pandeli Sotiri stepped down, Luarasi and fellow teacher Thanas Sina took over the leadership of the first Albanian school in Korçë. Between 1887 and 1893, he opened several more Albanian-language schools in Ersekë and surrounding villages, defying the authorities who opposed such nationalist education.
A Struggle Against Oppression
The promotion of the Albanian language by Luarasi quickly brought him into conflict with powerful religious and political figures. Chief among them was Filaretos, the Greek Archbishop of Kastoria, who saw the Albanian schools as a threat to Hellenic influence. In 1892, Filaretos sent a circular to the Orthodox Albanian population of Kolonjë, urging them to cut ties with Luarasi and branding him a "cursed renegade" spreading "Masonry and free Protestantism." They even claimed that the Albanian language “did not exist.”
Nevertheless, Luarasi remained undeterred. He later emigrated to the United States (1904–1908), where he became an active member of the Albanian national movement, helping to found the patriotic societies “Malli i Mëmëdheut” and “Pellazgu.” Upon his return to Albania, he continued his educational work, serving as the director and teacher at the Qiriazi Sisters' School in Korçë and later, from 1909 to 1911, at the school of Negovan, established by Papa Kristo Negovani.
Contribution to Independence and Albanian Education
Luarasi was deeply involved in the national effort that led to Albania's independence from the Ottoman Empire. He participated in the 1908 Congress of Manastir, where the Albanian alphabet was officially standardized—an event crucial to the unity and progress of the nation. For his work in spreading the Albanian language and for his political activism, Luarasi faced harsh persecution from both the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Young Turk regime.
It is widely believed that he was poisoned by the Greek Patriarchate, dying on August 17, 1911, a martyr for the Albanian cause.
Journalism and Intellectual Legacy
A prolific writer, Luarasi contributed to and edited several patriotic journals, including:
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“Bashkimi i Kombit” (1909–1910, Manastir)
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“Drita” (1907–1908, Sofia)
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“Kombi” (1908, Boston)
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“Liria” (1909–1910, Thessaloniki)
In his writings—educational essays, poetry, and polemics—Luarasi championed Albanian culture and identity. His political works, such as “Mallkimi i shkronjave shqipe” (“The Curse of the Albanian Letters”) and “Çpërfolja e Shqiptarit” (“The Defamation of the Albanian”), directly challenged the religious and nationalistic propaganda of the time. He firmly believed that religious divisions should not hinder national unity, famously writing:
“Truth creates faith, not faith the truth… Let us love and promote our language and nation, for they are the only salvation God entrusted us with among other peoples.”
Persecution and Resistance
Throughout his life, Luarasi was harassed and excommunicated by the Greek Orthodox Church. Grigori, the Metropolitan of Kastoria, banned him from teaching and threatened communities that welcomed him. Despite these dangers, Petro continued to open schools and secure resources, even traveling to Istanbul, Romania, and Bulgaria to collect funds.
He collaborated with Albanian national leaders like the Frashëri brothers and Nikollë Naço. The schools he founded in places like Pogradec, Leskovik, Elbasan, and his native Luaras became symbols of resistance against both Ottoman oppression and Greek clerical interference.
Final Days and Immortal Legacy
In 1908, following the proclamation of the Young Turk constitution (Hürriyet), Luarasi returned to Albania and resumed his open patriotic work. His collaboration with American Protestant missionaries made him an even greater target for his enemies. Ultimately, Greek nationalist circles arranged his assassination through poisoning.
Though his death was tragic, his message lived on. Luarasi's final motto and testament to his people was:
“Kombi mbi të gjitha!” – “The Nation above all!”
And:
“Ruamani gjakun, se do t’ju duhet për shkrimin e gjuhës shqipe…”
(“Preserve your blood, for you will need it to write the Albanian language…”)“Edhe 99 herë po të rrëzohemi, përsëri do të ngrihemi!”
(“Even if we fall 99 times, we shall rise again!”)
Recognition
For his extraordinary service to Albania, President Bamir Topi posthumously awarded Petro Nini Luarasi the Order of “Honor of the Nation” in 2012, praising him as:
“One of the brightest figures of the National Renaissance… a tireless fighter for education, emancipation, and the independence of the Albanian people.”
Petro Nini Luarasi remains an immortal symbol of resistance, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to the Albanian language and national identity. His legacy is etched into the very foundations of modern Albania.