Kristo Kirka
Kristo Dhimitër Kirka | |
---|---|
Balli Kombetar | |
Spouse | Androniqi Kirka |
Kristo Kirka (17 January 1883 – 28 April 1955) was an Albanian patriot, diplomat, politician, and activist. He is one of the most contributing figures of the Albanian national cause.[1]
Early life
Kirka was born in 1883 in
As an emigrant in US
Kirka got engaged with the Boston-based
In 1914 he joined the
Engagement in Albanian politics
In 1921, he accompanied Noli in his trip to Albania as a representative of Vatra. He was elected representative of Korce region in the first Albanian parliament. He joined the pro-British "People's Party" (
Kirka left US and returned to Albanian in 1933, this time bringing his family with him. In 1935 he was assigned as vice-prefect for
World War II and aftermath
With the Korca control by the Greek army during
Kirka joined
With the triumph of Communist forces in 1944, many Balli elements would be arrested, imprisoned, and even executed. Kirka was arrested in late 1944, but released by an order from Beqir Balluku 12 days later. He would get arrested for the second time on June 12, 1946, this time for good. He was sentenced with 20 years of prison. Kirka died in the Burrel Prison on April 28, 1955.
His home and all belongings got confiscated. His son would get arrested soon-after and be imprisoned. His wife and three daughters would suffer the oppression of the
As a patriot and contributor of the national cause, he would get rehabilitated later, though he remained somehow forgotten even after 1990. In September 2014, Albanian President Bujar Nishani accredited the medal "Honor of the Nation" to many Vatra personalities, including Kristo Kirka.[8]
References
- ^ "Vatra" founder, Kristo Kirka's monograph published, Albanian Screen TV, 2012-07-09, retrieved 2014-12-13
- ^ Boston Register and Business Directory, Sampson&Murdock, 1921, p. 49
- ^ a b Fan Noli (1918), Kalendari i Vatrës i motit 1918, Boston, MA: Vatra Press, p. 58,59
- ^ Uran Butka (2013-06-27), KRISTO KIRKA, Kryetar i shoqërisë "Besa-Besën" [Kristo Kirka, head of the "Besa-Besën" society] (in Albanian), Dielli, retrieved 2014-12-13
- ISBN 9785880423095
- ^ Sami Repishti (2013-05-18), Kristo Kirka, "patrioti i dy Shqipërive!" [Kristo Kirka, "the patriot of the two Albanias"] (in Albanian), Dielli, retrieved 2014-12-13
- ^ Reshat Kripa (2012-07-11), Një libër për një martir, Kristo Kirka [A book for a martyr, Kristo Kirka] (in Albanian), zemrashqiptare.net, retrieved 2014-12-13
- ^ President Nishani awards the "VATRA" Federation and the prominent Albanian-American activists, Presidency of Albania, 2014-09-29, archived from the original on 2016-03-04, retrieved 2014-12-14
Further reading
- Kristo Kirka - Butka, Uran, ISBN 978-9928134097, "Maluka", Tirana, 2012