The Academy of Sciences of Albania commemorated academician Aleks Buda on the anniversary of his birth. It honored him as one of the most distinguished figures in Albanian historiography and academic life.
Aleks Buda was born on September 7, 1911, into a noble and patriotic family in Elbasan. His father, Dhimitër Buda, worked as a well-known pharmacist. He also served as a delegate to the Congress of Manastir and helped finance the Normal School of Elbasan. Through these efforts, he made an important contribution to the history of Albanian education.
Buda completed his primary education in Lecce, Italy, and his secondary education in Salzburg, Austria. He later studied at the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Vienna. From 1939 to 1943, he worked as a teacher at the Tirana and Korçë Lyceums. He also joined the National Liberation Movement and, in 1944, became deputy chairman of the National Liberation Council of the Elbasan district.
From 1945 to 1946, Buda led the National Library. There, he helped organize and develop its collections. He later became one of the organizers of the Institute of Sciences. He founded its history and sociology section and helped establish research sectors for archaeology, ancient history, the Middle Ages, modern history, medieval art and ethnography.
In 1955, Albania established the Institute of History and Linguistics. Buda then laid the foundations for Albanian medieval studies and helped build the field on a strong scientific basis.
When the University of Tirana opened, Buda became one of the founders of its Department of Albanian History. He also helped establish the Albanian history course at the Faculty of History and Philology. Meanwhile, he devoted himself to training young historians, especially in medieval history. His work influenced generations of Albanian researchers.
In 1972, Albania established the Academy of Sciences, and Buda became its first president. He played a key role in strengthening the new institution and guiding Albanian scientific research toward modern standards.
Moreover, Buda helped organize the Academy’s academic structures. He supported research in history, linguistics and national culture. At the same time, he worked to strengthen the Academy’s cooperation with international scientific institutions.
His contribution remains an important reference point for the development of Albanian science. It also highlights the Academy’s role as a center of knowledge and scientific authority.
Academician Aleks Buda died in Tirana on July 7, 1993. He left behind a rich intellectual legacy that places him among the most distinguished figures in Albanian historiography and academic life.
/a.c/
The post Aleks Buda: A Leading Figure in Albanian Historiography and Academic Life appeared first on RTSH.
