Jani Minga

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Jani Kostandin Minga
Born (1872-08-01)August 1, 1872
Shënpjetër, Fier, Ottoman Empire
Died May 7, 1947(1947-05-07) (aged 74)
Vlorë, Albania
Occupation Teacher
Known for Albanian Declaration of Independence
Vlora War

Jani Minga (1872-1947) was a patriot Albanian teacher and a notable follower of the National Renaissance of Albania. He was one of the signatories of Albanian Declaration of Independence.[1]

Life

Minga was born in Shënpjetër village, today's Fier District, Albania, on August 1 1872. His father Konstandin was an activist for the education in Albanian language, while his mother Ana was a descendent of Topia family of Berat. He finished the elementary school in Berat, and the high school in Qestorat, having Koto Hoxhi as a teacher. He studied and graduated later for Philology in the University of Athens. Minga knew Old and New Greek, Latin, Italian, and French.[2]
After finishing the studies he moved to Vlorë. Minga took part in every Congress on the Albanian language that took place before the declaration of independence, most notably the Congress of Monastir, where the Albanian alphabet was established. He initiated the association "Labëria" in 1889 and opened the first Albanian language school in Kanina. Minga wrote some early scholarly books on Albanian.
His patriotic activity would culminate with the participation and signature on the Albanian Declaration of Independence on 28 November 1912 as delegate of Vlora region,[3] and participation in the Vlora War as member of a voluntary unit from the villages of Seman area near Fier. He held the victory speech in "Pavarësia" square in Vlora. Minga held also a solemn speech together with Qazim Kokoshi during the funeral of Ismail Qemali on 1919.[4]
Minga had two sons, Pirro and Mërkur. The first one refused to join the Albanian Fascist Party though serving as an interpreter for the Germans during WWII, being arrested and sent to a concentration camp, never returning. The other one lost his life in a construction accident. Depressed from the loss of his sons, Minga retired from his activities and passed away on May 7 1947.[2]

Legacy

Minga is awarded "Mësues i Popullit" (English: People's Teacher), and Honorary Citizen of Vlora.[2]
Several schools in Albania bear his name.

References

  1. ↑ Michael Schmidt-Neke (16.11.1987). Entstehung und Ausbau der Königsdiktatur in Albanien (1912-1939)Regierungsbildungen, Herrschaftsweise und Machteliten in einem jungen Balkanstaat. Oldenbourg Wissenschaftsverlag. p. 320. ISBN 978-3486543216. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Jani Konstandin Minga", Fieri Profil (in Albanian) (Fier Municipality), 02.2012: 1, retrieved 15.1.14 
  3. ↑ Robert Elsie, 1912 The Declaration of Albanian Independence, retrieved 14.1.14 
  4. ↑ Hoxha, Zylyftar (20.12.2012), 100-vjetori i shpalljes së Pavarësisë, të pathëna dhe të panjohura nga jeta e Ismail Qemalit (in Albanian), Gazeta Dita, retrieved 15.1.14, "Si fillim, kufoma e balsamosur e Ismail Qemalit u varros sipas porosisë së tij, në Kaninë. Ceremonia e varrimit u bë me 12 shkurt 1919, ditën e mërkurë. Në ceremoni u mbajtën dy fjalime mbresëlënëse nga Jani Minga dhe Qazim Kokoshi, dy nga patriotët e vjetër të Vlorës." 

Sources

"History of Albanian People" Albanian Academy of Science. ISBN 99927-1-623-1


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