Emeritus Academician Mark Tirta, one of Albania’s most respected scholars of ethnology and anthropology, died today at the age of 88.
The Academy of Sciences said his death represents a major loss for Albanian science and culture. For more than six decades, Tirta dedicated his life to researching, documenting and interpreting Albania’s material and spiritual heritage.
Born on May 21, 1938, in Orosh, Mirditë, Tirta studied History and Linguistics at the University of Tirana and graduated in 1961. He first worked as a teacher in Mirditë. In 1968, he began his research career in the Ethnography Department of the Institute of History.
From 1979, he continued his work at the Institute of Popular Culture, where he built an important part of his academic career. In 2008, the Academy of Sciences elected him a member of its Section of Social Sciences and Albanology. He later received the status of Emeritus Academician.
Throughout his career, Tirta conducted extensive field research across Albanian-speaking regions. He joined numerous expeditions and documented traditions, customs, beliefs and community life directly from local communities.
His research covered many areas of Albanian ethnology. In particular, he studied population migrations and folk mythology. He also researched family life, traditional clothing, customary law, toponymy, anthroponymy, folk art and the history of Albanian ethnology.
Moreover, Tirta left an extensive academic legacy. He published more than 300 scientific and cultural works and presented more than 100 papers at national and international conferences, symposia and congresses. Around 42 of his works also appeared in foreign languages.
Among his most important books are “Mythology among Albanians” (2004), “Ethnology of Albanians” (2003, 2006), “General Ethnology” (2001, 2008), “Migrations of Albanians” (1999), “The Craft of Scientific Research in Ethnology” (2006) and “Pantheon and Symbolism, Customs and Codes” (2007).
Tirta viewed ethnology not simply as the collection and description of facts. Instead, he used it to explore Albanian history, memory, identity and cultural continuity.
As a result, his books, studies and research materials remain valuable resources for scholars of ethnology, anthropology, folklore, cultural history and Albanology.
The Academy of Sciences said Albanian science has lost a distinguished scholar who devoted his life to understanding and preserving the country’s cultural roots.
A memorial ceremony for Emeritus Academician Mark Tirta will take place tomorrow from 10:00 to 13:00 at the “Aleks Buda” Hall of the Academy of Sciences.
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