Sami Frashëri

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Sami Frashëri (Turkish: Şemseddin Sami Bey) (June 1, 1850, Frashër, Albania – June 18, 1904) was an Albanian writer, philosopher, playwright and a prominent figure of the Rilindja Kombëtare, the National Renaissance movemement of Albania, together with his two brothers Naim and Abdyl.

Frashëri was one of the sons of an impoverished Bej from Frashër in the District of Përmet. He gained a place in Ottoman literature as a talented author under the name of Shemsüddin Sami and contributed to the Turkish language reforms.

However, Frashëri's message, as declared in his book "Albania - What it was, what it is, and what will become of it" published in 1899, became the manifesto of the Albanian Renaissance (Rilindja Kombëtare). Frashëri discussed the prospects for a free and independent republic of Albania. In this way, beginning with a demand for autonomy and struggle for their own alphabet and education, he helped the Albanian National Liberation movement develop its claim for independence.

[edit] Life

He finished gymnasium in "Zosimea" Greek language school in Ioannina. There, he came in touch with west philosophy and studied languages like Greek, French and Italian. With the help of a personal teacher, he also learned Arabic, Turkish and Persian.

In 1872 he migrated to Istanbul where he worked in governmental press bureau. His lifetime goal, as that of many other members of Albanian renaissance, was the development and improvement of Albania's culture and independence of the country. Along with his elder brother Abdyl, Hasan Tahsini, Pashko Vasa and Jani Vreto, he founded the Central committee for the protection of national albanian rights. Early in the 1879, this committee prefermented a commission for Albanian alphabet. Also, the Society of printing albanian words was founded and headed by Sami Frashëri, where albanian scholastic books and texts were compiled by him and his brother Naim.

He died in June 18, 1904 after a heavy disease.

[edit] Work

Sami is author of around 50 masterpieces. His interests were rather scientific than literary. Some of his most important writings are:

Dashuria e Talatit me Fitneten (The Love Between Talat and Fitnete, 1872).

It is thought to be the first Turkish novel. It carries a sentimental subject of love between Talat and Fitnete. The novel consists of combined oriental and west writing elements.

Besa ose Mbajtja e Fjalës (Besa or The Given Word of Trust, 1875).

Is a melodrama aiming besa as a subject, but in a very tragic situation; the father kills his son to keep the given word.

Shqipëria ç'ka qenë, ç'është e çdo të bëhetë (Albania - what it was, what it is and what it is going be, 1889).

Theoretical commentary that became Rilindja Kombëtare's manifesto and was considered as one of the most important works of the time.

Sami also did a series of scientific writings; Qielli (Sky), Toka (Earth), Njeriu (Human Being), Gjuha (Language), etc. He published the first Turkish encyclopedia; the Turkish encyclopedia for geography and history. In Albanian, his educational writings were: Allfabetarja e Stambollit (Alphabet of Istanbul, 1879), Abetarja e Shkronjëtoreja (gramatical, 1886).