Saturday, November 15, 2025, marked the 60th anniversary of the passing of Prof. Ziaudin Kodra. One of the foremost Albanian scholars of Arbëresh history, literature, and cultural heritage.
Prof. Ziaudin H. Kodra was born on July 7, 1909 in Greater Dibër, on the eve of the National Congress of Dibër, and passed away on September 10, 1965 in Tirana.
He completed his primary education in his hometown, while he completed high school at the French National Lyceum of Korça from 1928 to 1932.
He continued his higher studies at the Faculty of Literature at the University of Florence.
(Mater Universitatis Studiurum Florentina) 1932–1936.
His educational and scientific career includes a number of important tasks:
Literature teacher at the Elbasan Normal School (1936–1939)
Literature teacher at the Tirana High School (1942–1944)
Literature teacher at the Pedagogical High School, Tirana (1946–1948)
Director of the Pedagogical High School, Tirana (1948–1950)
Lecturer of Albanian literature at the Pedagogical Institute, Tirana (1950–1957).
Lecturer of Albanian literature at the State University of Tirana (1957–1965).
For his contributions, he was honored with the title of "Merited Teacher", the Republic Award of the 1st degree, as well as the Labor Order of the 1st class.
Prof. Kodra was a patriot, anti-fascist and unwavering intellectual. After the fascist invasion of 1939, he was fired from his job and interned first in Ventotene, and then in the prison camp of Colfiorito, Italy, where he was kept in solitary confinement for almost two years. Despite the difficulties, he continued his scientific and research work with determination.
Ziaudin Kodra is among the first Albanian scholars of Arbëresh language, literature and culture in Italy. He dedicated his life to this field, seeing in the history of the Arbëresh the repeated reflection of the fate of the Dibrani community that was forced to migrate by force in 1913 as a result of Serbian aggression and occupation.
He was among the first scientific workers in the Republic of Albania to earn the degree of "Candidate of Philological Sciences" and the title of "Associate Professor".
His contribution includes:
Author and editor of the texts "Old Albanian and Arbëresh Literature" (1952, 1954),
"Methodology of the Albanian language" (1955),
"Methodology of Literature and Drafting" (1955).
He was also co-author of the monumental work "History of Albanian Literature" in two volumes (1960, 1961), compiling the chapters dedicated to Arbëresh literature.
The commemorative activity on the occasion of the 112th anniversary of the Dibrani community movement in Tirana and the 60th anniversary of the passing of Prof. Ziaudin Kodra, took place in the "Uraniku" hall, in Venec, Dibër e Madhe, in an atmosphere of respect and gratitude for the figure of one of the most prominent personalities of Albanian culture and Albanology.
Greetings:
Saimir Shatku, “Dibrani Community” Association.
Mr. Fisnik Mela, Mayor of the Municipality of Dibër, RMV.
Professor Rruzhdi Keçi, Chairman, Tirana Association.
Lectures were given by personalities such as: Professor Emeritus Emil Lafe, Institute of Linguistics, UT.
Academician Prof. Dr. Adem Bunguri, Albanian Academy of Sciences.
Dr. Vilma Proko Jazexhiu, QShSA.
Dr. Jolanda Lila, QShSA.
Dr. Qëndresa Paçuku, President, Association for History and Cultural Heritage, Dibër.
Dr. Thoma Kristo, On the publication of the work "Arbëresh Studies", its content and values.
Mr. Ilir Kodra, on behalf of the Kodra family.
The commemorative event was attended by colleagues and friends from the Universities of Prishtina, Skopje and Tetovo, and a documentary dedicated to Prof. Kodra was shown, as well as a collection of his manuscripts and materials was also presented to the public, in a scientific publication entitled "Arbëresh Studies", published and specially prepared by the Alsar Cultural & Social Foundation, Tirana.
