Margarita Tutulani

Margarita Tutulani
Born1925
Berat, Principality of Albania
Died6 July 1943 (aged 18)
Gosë, Kavajë, Italian-occupied Albania
NationalityAlbanian
Known forPartisan during the War of Liberation
ParentMiltiadh Tutulani (Father)
RelativesKristaq Tutulani (Brother), Dhimitër Tutulani (Grandfather)
Awards Hero of the People

Margarita Tutulani (1925 – 6 July 1943) was an Albanian anti-fascist activist during World War II. Her brutal death inspired many to join the resistance against fascism in Albania.

Biography

Tutulani was born in the Gorica neighborhood of Berat.[1] Her grandfather Dhimitër Tutulani was of Aromanian origins,[2] a notable lawyer, and one of the signers of the Albanian Declaration of Independence in 1912. Her father was a member of the Albanian Parliament.[3] She attended the Queen Mother Pedagogical Institute in Tirana.[1]

When Italy invaded Albania in April 1939, Tutulani moved back to Berat, where she and her family protested and demonstrated against Italian rule of their country.[1] In 1942, she joined the Communist Party.[1] She was also a leading figure in the November 28, 1942 demonstration in Berat, which was an anti-fascist protest that drew thousands of people.[4] After November, she was wanted by the fascist government.[4]

Tutulani and her brother, Kristaq Tutulani, were eventually arrested in Berat on July 4, 1943.[3] After their arrest, they were then subjected to torture while in prison.[1] They were later moved out of the prison and shot in Gosa, near Kavaja,[1] on July 6, 1943.[3]

The city of Berat was shocked at the death of both brother and sister.[3] A "photo of her mangled body" circulated and eventually the brutality of her death inspired people to join the resistance against the fascist government.[1]

A statue of Tutulani is at the National Martyrs' Cemetery of Albania.[5] Tutulani left behind writing which is now part of the Tutulani family archives, which included poetry, memoirs and essays.[4] The Albanian linguist Vehxhi Buharaja wrote a poem in her honor, "Margarita," ten days after she was killed.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Elsie, Robert (2012). A Biographical Dictionary of Albanian History. New York: I.B. Tauris & Co. Ltd. p. 452. ISBN 9781780764313.
  2. ^ "Minoriteti Vllah/Arumun | MINORITETET NË SHQIPËRI". Archived from the original on 2021-12-29. Retrieved 2021-12-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. ^ a b c d e "In Memoriam/ Margarita Dhe Kristaq Tutulani". Lajme.gen.al (in Albanian). 6 July 2010. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  4. ^ a b c "Si u ekzekutuan në sy të njëri-tjetrit motër e vëlla". Gazeta Dita (in Albanian). 7 July 2014. Archived from the original on 30 May 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  5. ^ Gloyer, Gillian (2015). Albania (5th ed.). Bradt Travel Guides Ltd, UK. pp. 82–83. ISBN 9781841628554.