Dr. Brikene Ceraja-Beka
(“Fehmi Agani” University, Gjakova, Kosovo)
Abstract
Skanderbeg’s figure is present in Albanian literature almost as much as any other historical figure that has appeared in the literature of any European or world country. Since the beginning of Albanian literature, Skanderbeg’s figure is present. At times, it appears as a central figure and as a figure that inspires writers to write about the struggle of the Albanian people for freedom.
Among the first authors who dealt with the Scanderbeg’s era is the great poet Jeronim De Rada. One of the most prominent works of De Rada, which in the center of attention has the Albanian hero and describes the deeds and wars of Skanderbeg and Albanians for freedom, is “Unlucky Skanderbeg”. This is one of De Rada’s greatest works, both in terms of the thematic breadth and the social value that is dealt with in it. Indeed, this is a collection of 32 poems with a beautiful tendency of a historical-romantic epic.
Among other writers who have taken on Skanderbeg’s figure and have left an indelible mark in Albanian literature is definitely Naim Frashëri. With his work “Scanderbeg’s History”, Naim Frashëri elevated Scanderbeg’s monumental figure in accordance with the liberation ideas and fundamental concepts of the Renaissance.
Although there are few Albanian writers who have not written about Skanderbeg or his age, we have focused only on these two authors. By making a comparative look at these two works, we will highlight the features that Skanderbeg recognizes, as described in these two works, and will consider the essential elements that distinguish these two works, which are also elements that recognize the period of Albanian Romanticism.
Keywords: Skanderbeg, De Rada, Naim Frasheri, Romanticism, figure, poem
Skanderbeg and his wars constitute a living phenomenon, and every era of our history has looked at and conceived of it, bringing something new, something of its own, to its understanding. And this is natural, because the importance of the giant wars that he waged for almost a quarter of a century for the land, freedom, and political union of the Albanian people, exceeded the goals of his era. In the difficult centuries that came for the Albanians after the death of the hero, in the successive uprisings that they developed against the Ottoman invaders, the name of Skanderbeg became a flag and a symbol of the fight for freedom. For these reasons, the figure and era of Skanderbeg inspired Albanian writers, who from early on, created works permeated by love and ardent admiration for the fate of Kruja.
Volume 11, No.1 (2026): February
ISSN 2661-2666 (Online) International Scientific Journal Monte (ISJM)
ISSN 2661-264X (Print)
Full Text: PDF
This is an open-access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)