#shqiperiaetnike

[artatheartist]

**I'm having some difficulty uploading a longer video, but here’s a closer look at the cards and booklet** • As I mentioned in my earlier post, it was difficult to edit the list of historic figures included, so I went for a more chronological route. • I also felt it was imperative to include academics and politicians that were trailblazers in their respective fields, not just kaçaks and warriors. • All these people are Albanian heroes; their weapons merely differ from sword to pen. I also included an extensive list of figures that, had I had an inexhaustible number of cards, I would have included every single one! People worth knowing, researching, and learning about. Albanians who have sacrificed their lives, and who have worked tirelessly for the freedom and emancipation of their fellow compatriots. • This deck was a labor of love that has been in the works for a long time (I initially started it during the pandemic), and I hope you all enjoy the cards as much as I've enjoyed making them! • Albanian Playing Cards, National Heroes Edition Now available for pre-order on my website, www.artatheartist.com • • • #ArtaTheArtist #Albanian #albanianartist #albanianart #albanianplayingcards #shqiperiaetnike https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpu9_wQODAL/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[haxhigeaszymusic]

“Respect is a two-way street, if you want to get it, you’ve got to give it.” ----------------------------- #korabshaqiri #Shqiptar #shqipe #Shqiperia #shqip #shqiptare #Shqiperi #shqiponja #shqipmuzik #shqipewemadeit #shqiperiaetnike #shqipetar #Shqipri #shqiperiaime #shqipez #shqipatre #shqiptari #shqiptart #shqiphop #shqipetare #shqiperietnik #shqipekuqezii #shqipeworldwide #shqiponje #shqipeforlife #shqiponj #shqiprietnike #shqipeee #shqipni #shqiperiajone (at Galeria Shopping Mall) https://www.instagram.com/p/CILthaeg9Vq/?igshid=a0t85y6ipnt9

[artatheartist]

In Honor of International Woman's History Month, I'm bringing back my "Femër Friday" series, where each week I focus on an historic Albanian female figure.

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This week's focus is on Musine Kokalari, one of the 1st published female Albanian writers & political dissident whose staunch anti-communist views & free speech advocacy led to her imprisonment.

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Musine Kokalari was born on February 10th, 1917, in Adana, Turkey. Originally from Gjirokastër, her family returned to their hometown when Musine was 3 years old. Having been raised in an educated family (her grandfather studied theology and philosophy, while her father studied law), Musine and her 3 older brothers also followed in their footsteps by making names for themselves in the literary field; owning the bookstore “Venus” in Tirana, as well as the publishing house, “Mesagjeritë Shqiptare” (Albanian Messengers), which published works from international writers like Vicente Blasco Ibáñez, Omar Khayyam, Edgar Allen Poe, Walter Scott, and Shakespeare.

After graduating in 1937, she began publishing articles under the pseudonym “Muza” (Muse), in the newspaper “Shtypi” (The Press). The following year she moved to Rome to continue her studies, and in 1939 she published her first novel, “Siç Me Thotë Nënua Plakë” (As My Old Mother Used to Tell Me), which was eventually published in Tirana in 1941. This garnered the interest of other Albanian influential writers who served to influence her writing.

In 1943 Musine co-founded the magazine “Shqiptarja e Re” (The New Albanian Woman), which served as the first outlet for Albanian women to share their stories. She went on to publish several her own works the following year, including a collection of short stories titled “Sa u tunt jeta” (How Life Swayed), and “Rreth Vatrës” (Around the Hearth).

This was around the same time that she opened a bookstore and became a member of the “Lidhja e Shkrimtarëve dhe Artistëve të Shqipërisë” (Albanian League of Writers and Artists), a non-profit organization that was founded in 1945 with the goal of promoting and advancing the literary and artistic creativity of talented Albanians.

Musine continued to speak openly against the communists, calling for free elections and freedom of expression, which resulted in her arrest on January 17th, 1946. At her trial, wearing mourning clothes in memory of her executed brothers, she gave an impassioned speech where she stated her love for Albania and the fact that she was being punished for her ideals and speaking out against the government. She was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment and labeled a saboteur and enemy of the people.

She served 18 years in prison and in 1964 was relocated to an internment camp in Rrëshen, Northern Albania where she spent the rest of her remaining 19 years of life, working as a manual laborer. Although forbidden to publish any more work, Musine continued to write in secret, and passed away on August 14th, 1983, after being denied cancer treatment by the communist government.

She was posthumously declared a “Martyr of Democracy” by the President of Albania, Sali Berisha, in 1993. Her memory and achievements serve as a fierce example of resilience in the face of tyranny, not just for Albanian women, but for all people experiencing oppression from their government.

Then, on November 12, 1944, tragedy struck when Musine’s brothers were executed without trial by the communist government. She was very outspoken in her demands for justice and retribution.

[artatheartist]

Parashqevi Qiriazi, one half of the iconic “Motrat Qiriazi” duo, was born on June 2nd, 1880 in Monastir, Macedonia. One of ten children, she quickly followed in her brother Gjerasim’s and sister Sevasti’s footsteps by helping them teach students the written Albanian language at the Girl’s School (“Shkolla e Vashave”), that Gjerasim and Sevasti opened, when Parashqevi was only 11 years old.

After studying in Istanbul, Parashqevi worked as a teacher in Korçë, Albania with her sister Sevasti. In 1908, she was the only woman to participate in the Congress of Monastir (“Kongresi i Manastirit,” an academic conference held in Manastir from November 14-22, 1908, with the goal of standardizing the Albanian alphabet), and the following year, in 1909 she published a primer (“Abetare”), for Albanian elementary schools.

That same year, she helped found “Yll' i Mëngjesit” (Morning Star), a periodical which focused on politics, culture, history, literature, etc in Albania. She also organized local libraries as well as teaching sessions for children and night schools in southern Albanian villages.

Due to the fact that she was so out-spoken and politically active, Parashqevi traveled often, becoming a prominent figure in the Albanian-American community, after moving to New York. She even partook in the “Conference of Peace” in Paris, as a representative of the rights of Albanians, in 1919.

After returning to Albania in 1921, she and her sister founded the “Kyrias” institution, an all-girls foundation located in Tiranë that provided teachers for the newly developed schools in Albania.

In October of 1928, Parashqevi founded the organization “Gruaja Shqiptare" (The Albanian Woman). This was incredibly impactful, not only because it was it was backed by the Royal Albanian Family, but also because it promoted the idea of raising Albanian women to a higher level through charitable activities, education, etc. This organization pushed against the traditional conservative way of thinking and advocated for the emancipation and rights of Albanian women, both socially and politically.

Due to her staunch anti-fascist stance, Parashqevi and a number of her family members were imprisoned during WWII. She was eventually released and returned to Albania, where she died on December 17th, 1970.

Her legacy lives on in the organizations that still function to this day and carry her name, as well as the Abetares that are still used in Albanian schools across the globe.

[artatheartist]

Tringë Smajl Martini Ivezaj, more commonly known amongst Albanians as Tringë Smajli, and as “Janica” to outsiders, was born in 1880. A member of the Grudë tribe of Malësia, she was the daughter of the clan’s leader, Smajl Martini, who was himself very active in Albanian protests and rebellions; after joining The League of Prizren, he was arrested in 1886, and his sons were killed, leaving Tringë an only child.

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Due to the harsh lifestyle and fierce patriarchal code amongst the Highland Albanians, Tringë became a “burrneshë”(sworn virgin), taking a vow of chastity, and taking on the guise and mannerisms of a man. Burrnesha never marry & never have children but serve as the head of the family. This was done to ensure the rest of the household remained under the protection of a de facto male.

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Tringë continued to fight for Albanians and joined the Battle of Deçiq in Montenegro in 1911. A landmark battle where Dedë Gjo Luli, another Albanian guerrilla leader and clan chieftan of the Hoti tribe, raised the Albanian flag on the mountain of Deçiq for the first time in over 400 years, after the Albanian victory over the Ottomans.

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Often referred to as “The Albanian Joan of Arc,” Tringë not only fought battles but also participated in important meetings like the Greçë Memorandum on June 23rd, 1911, which recorded the 12 requests for the establishment of an autonomous Albanian province within the Ottoman Empire. It was written by Ismail Qemali and Luigj Gurakuq, & signed by 22 Albanian chieftains.

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Tringë died on November 2nd, 1917, & was buried in her family’s plot in Montenegro.

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Her valor is recorded in epic songs, streets across Shqiperia Etnike are christened in her name & she remains one of the most iconic figures in Albanian history.

[artatheartist]

Coming soon!

My Albanian Heroes Deck

52 standard playing cards

Each face card will feature an Albanian hero or heroine

I'm really excited about these 😁

[artatheartist]

It's been a while, so here's part 3! 😁

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[artatheartist]

"Me fustanin palë palë Seç i shkon valles vërdallë Sa lezet sa bukuri Kur ma lozën vallen ti" • Moj Strugane • • • #artatheartist #albanian #art #ink #lineart #drawing #sketch #mojstrugane #struga #shqiperiaetnike #traditionalart #digitalart #kengepopullore #folklore #folkart #albanianart #folshqip #valle #albanianfolk #calligraphy #etsy #childrensbookillustration #songlyrics #micron https://www.instagram.com/p/CLXHwcmFc5n/?igshid=69saacxrmcj7

[artatheartist]

Albanian Playing Cards are now available for pre-order on my website!!

www.ArtaTheArtist.com

Huge thank you to Lirim @albanianpatterns for the use of his fantastic textile illustrations

This is a long video but I go over everything: the inspiration behind the deck, the individual face cards, the jokers, the booklet, etc

I hope you all enjoy and let me know if you have any questions! 👐🇦🇱👐

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#ArtaTheArtist

#AlbanianPlayingCards

#albanianartist

#Albanian

#ShqiperiaEtnike

[artatheartist]

LOOK WHAT FINALLY CAME IN THE MAIL!!! ♠️❤️♣️♦️ I am weeping, I love them so much!!! 😭😭😭 (This is just a proof deck, so once I review it, make any necessary changes and tweaks it'll be up on my website) I'll also be posting a video going over each card and the creation process behind this deck so stay tuned for that 😁 Also, huge shoutout to Lirim @albanianpatterns for allowing me the use of his fantastic textile illustrations. I mean LOOK at that shqiponja/map it's just 🤌🤌🤌 (vegeta chef's kiss) • • • #ArtaTheArtist #AlbanianPlayingCards #Albanian #Art #AlbanianArtist #AlbanianArt #ShqiperiaEtnike #VeshjeKombetare https://www.instagram.com/p/CfUPKf3rujY/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[artatheartist]

I found this at a used book store for $8 years ago.

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Written in 1977 by the Women’s Guild of St. Mary’s Albanian Orthodox Church in Worcester, MA, "Albanian Cookbook" is filled with recipes of course, but also wonderful illustrations, a brief history of Albanian customs as well as Orthodox holidays.

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It provides an in-depth look inside a part of Albanian culture, one that I was unfamiliar with (having been raised in a Muslim household).

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I loved seeing the similarities in both traditional dishes that are made during holidays as well as the manner in which they are celebrated... and who isn’t always on the lookout for a good laknor recipe, amirite? 😁

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#ArtaTheArtist #Albanian #cookbook #AlbanianCookBook #shqiperiaetnike

[artatheartist]

I could make a million of these 😁

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#ArtaTheArtist #Albanian #Culture #History #Mythology #Shqip #plis #xhubleta #shqiperiaetnike #balkans

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CYZd3N_IPUE/?utm_medium=share_sheet

[artatheartist]

Urime 28 Nëntori! 👐🇦🇱👐 Happy Albanian Independence Day! • Today marks the 109th anniversary of the day Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire, on November 28th, 1912 in Vlorë. • • • #artatheartist #28nentori #albania #albanianindependenceday #albanian #art #albanianartist #albanianart #skenderbeu #skenderbeg #illyrian #lineart #shqiperiaetnike #🇦🇱 #vlore #albanianplayingcards #tarot #theemperor #kingofspades #kingofswords (at Vlorë, Albania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CW1IPRZrXFa/?utm_medium=tumblr

[artatheartist]

Elbasan Script • Albania has often been considered one of the most religiously diverse countries in Europe. Throughout history, we have had no shortage of proselytizers spreading Abrahamic religions from essentially every surrounding border. Catholics in the North, Orthodox in the South, as well as Muslims have pushed their religion onto the Albanian people. With religion comes culture, you cannot separate the two, and with each a language specific to that particular religion was adopted for practical reasons. • Latin, Greek and Arabic were used across the country and a desire for an original, native Albanian alphabet arose. This may not seem like such a big issue, but we need to remember that illiteracy was rampant and most education occurred in religious schools, in the foreign language associated with these foreign religions. Historically, Albanians have an oral tradition, this is where our ballads and epic këngë me çifteli come from, so you can imagine the disconnect when multiple languages are introduced; communication suffers and conflicts begin to arise. • Thus the desire for an authentic Albanian alphabet with no religious ties came to be. During the mid-18th century, many people set to work inventing them. This led to the creation of multiple Albanian scripts (more than 10), some of which were no more than altered Greek or Latin or Arabic letters, and others that were completely unique. • Some of the more notable ones are the Elbasan Script (pictured), the Todhri Script and the Vithkuqi Script. Of the other alphabets, few original texts exist to this day in their complete form, unfortunately. Many were not preserved and the ones that stood the test of time were quickly abandoned for the Latin Alphabet we use today (with a few variations). I don’t know if any other countries experienced this level of orthographic diversity, especially in Europe, but it is a fascinating chapter in our history and worth sharing.          • • • #artatheartist #art #albanianartist #elbasanscript #evetari #todhri #vithkuqi #albanianalphabet #albanian #illyrian #shqiperiaetnike #shqip #typography #orthography #lineart #blackandwhite #albanianart #etsy #alphabet (at Elbasan, Albania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CV8yjbpLxr9/?utm_medium=tumblr

[artatheartist]

Urime 28 Nëntori 👐🏼🇦🇱👐🏼 Albanian Independence Day Flag Day • Today Albanians across the diaspora celebrate Albania's Declaration of Independence and the raising of our flag. • We remember our history and honor the men and women who fought, died and sacrificed so much for our nation and our people as a whole • • • #artatheartist #albanian #urime28nentori #🇦🇱 #albanianindependenceday #art #ditaflamurit #festaflamurit #kuqezi #autochthonous #28nentori #liriakaemër #albania #kosova #malesia #dardania #maqedonia #ilirida #shqiperiaetnike #çerçiztopulli #ademjashari #skenderbeu #noraekelmendit #mbretereshateuta #shotegalica #albanianartist #albanianart #folshqip #pavarsia https://www.instagram.com/p/CIJUJzplSKn/?igshid=19uhk1dnrhnqa

[artatheartist]

Tropojane Queen of Hearts ♥️ • • • #artatheartist #albanian #art #tropoja #sketch #drawing #malsore #kosova #malesiaegjakoves #shqiperiaetnike #albanianart #albania #illyrian #albanianartist #veshjekombetare #veshjetradicionale #albanianplayingcards #playingcards #queenofhearts #queenofcups #tarot #witchyart #ink #traditionalart #inktober #sakura #arteza #etsy #redbubble https://www.instagram.com/p/CGSULn2l4tW/?igshid=17vy9ar3lpfj2