TIRANA, July 15 – Albania marks the anniversary of the death of patriot Çerçiz Topulli, who was executed by Montenegrin forces in Shkodër on July 15, 1915.
Born in Gjirokastër, Topulli completed his early education in his hometown before continuing his studies in Ioannina. He later joined the Secret Committee “For the Freedom of Albania” and became one of the leading figures of the Albanian national movement.
In 1907, Topulli led an armed resistance group that operated across southern Albania, mainly in the regions of Gjirokastër and Korça. Earlier that year, the newspaper Shpresa e Shqipërisë [Hope of Albania] published his appeal, “From the Mountains of Albania,” in which he condemned abuses by the Ottoman administration and called for an armed uprising to achieve Albania’s freedom.
Meanwhile, the Battle of Mashkullora remains one of the defining moments of the Albanian national movement. The battle highlighted Topulli’s military leadership and strengthened the resistance.
Following the Young Turk Revolution in 1908, Topulli shifted his focus to promoting Albanian national identity. He supported the establishment of Albanian clubs and the opening of Albanian-language schools across the country.
After Albania declared independence, he joined the government of Vlora and fought to defend the country’s territorial integrity. Montenegrin forces killed him in Shkodër on July 15, 1915.
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