Avni Rrustemi

Avni Rrustemi (born 1895, Libohova, Gjirokastër - June 10 1924) was an Albanian pedagogue, teacher, activist and deputy.

A patriot, democratic, revolutionist and leader of the democratic organisation "Bashkimi", and also member of the democratic opposition in the National Assembly preceding the Revolution of June 1924. Born in Libohova, in a family of patriotic values. He followed the primary education in his homeland, continuing with high-school in Elbasan and later in San Demetrio Corone (Italy) - a town populated with Albanians. He finished high studies of pedagogy in the University of Rome. His teaching career consisted of partial workplaces such as Libohova (1910), Tragjas of Vlora (1913), Tepelena (1916-1917) and Vlora (1917-1918).

Grown and educated in a patriotic environment, Avni Rrustemi was known as a freedom fighter and a fighter for the overall independence of Albania. In 1908, he abandoned school to join the famous guerrilla group of Çerçiz Topullit and in 1910 he attempted the assassination of the Ottoman army general of expedition, Shefqet Turgut Pasha in Shkodra. In 1914 he joined the expeditionary forces of Southern Albania against the Greek occupation forces. In 1918, with his initiative, a patriotic organisation known as "Djalëria e Vlorës" (en. The Youth of Vlora) was formed in Vlora. As a head chief of the organisation, he organised anti-imperialist demonstration of November 28 1918 against Italian occupation forces. In the spring of 1919 in San Demetrio Corone, he formed "Lidhjen e Rinisë Shqiptare" (en. The League of Albanian Youth) for the defence of national rights of Albanians.

Essad Pasha assassination

In June 13 1920, he famously assassinated Essad Pasha in Paris. Essad Pasha, a political figure in Albania but in exile, had already managed a coup d'etat to overthrow Wilhelm of Wied, the then Prince of Albania. Although living in Paris and away from legislative governing of Albania, Essad Pasha claimed to still being the ruler of the state and attempted to represent Albania in Paris Peace Conference. The governmental delegation didn't permit him to do so as they were going to represent Albania themselves. The assassination was largely seen as a heroic act as it was a signal of a new revolution against the feudal traditions of Albania and a crossing bridge in the newly democratic-borgese values.

Upon his return in Albania, in December 1920, he worked towards uniting all the democratic organisations there. A congress held in Vlora in April 25 1921 lead to the new formation "Atdheu" (en. Fatherland). Avni Rrustemi was chosen the honorary president. His further initiatives resulted in new creations of professional teachers' associations. After "Atdheu" was shut down, in August 1922, again with his initiative, the democratic national organisation "Bashkimi" (en. Unity) was created in October 13 1922 in Tirana.

Ideology

Avni Rrustemi wasn't only the main leader of democratic societies, he was also an eminent democratic ideologist. His ideology, expressed in different forms of speeches and journalism, became a strong weapon for the democratic youth of the oppressed mass working class. "When the government does not fulfill the needs of the people, then this need must be fulfilled with the organised interest of people to push government to do so." For the solution to the country's crisis, Avni Rrustemi pointed at the development of the independent national economy. "Without independent economy, there can be no independent politics." His ideology was further enforced in the National Assembly of the 1924, where he was chosen as a deputy of the people from ex-prefecture of Kosovo. He bravery criticized the bureaucratic system of that time and the ignorance of the governing classes while fiercely defending traditional values and the human rights of the Albanians living in ethnic Albania.

Death

In time of turmoil and intense class contradictions in the country, feoffee reactionary forces led by Ahmet Zogu organised the assassination of Avni Rrustemi in April 22 1924, aiming to strike at the democratic-borgese revolution. The assassination of the eminent democratic leader sparked the triumphing revolution of June 10 1924.

External links