Safet Butka (10 August 190119 September 1943) was an
Albanian
Albanian may refer to:
*Pertaining to Albania in Southeast Europe; in particular:
**Albanians, an ethnic group native to the Balkans
**Albanian language
**Albanian culture
**Demographics of Albania, includes other ethnic groups within the country ...
professor, politician and nationalist. Son of famous patriot
Sali Butka
Salih Butka (1852 – 24 October 1938), was an Albanian nationalist figure, kachak, poet, and one of the delegates of the city of Korçë to the Albanian National Congress of Lushnjë.Nikolaeva Todorova Marii︠a︡''Balkan identities: nation ...
, he organized the student demonstrations in April 1939 during the Italian invasion and was interned in
Ventotene
Ventotene (; locally ; la, Pandataria or , from grc, Πανδατερία, Pandatería, or ) is one of the Pontine Islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the coast of Gaeta right at the border between Lazio and Campania, Italy. The municipality of ...
. Upon his return he organized
antifascist
Anti-fascism is a political movement in opposition to fascist ideologies, groups and individuals. Beginning in European countries in the 1920s, it was at its most significant shortly before and during World War II, where the Axis powers were ...
movements in his native region and was one of the founders of the nationalist organization
Balli Kombëtar
The Balli Kombëtar (literally ''National Front''), known as Balli, was an Albanian nationalist, collaborationist and anti-communist resistance movement during the Second World War. It was led by Ali Këlcyra and by Midhat Frashëri. The movem ...
. Distressed by internal civil war in Albania, he killed himself in 1943.
Early life
Safet Butka was born in
Butkë
Butkë is a community in the Korçë County, Albania. At the 2015 local government reform it became part of the municipality Kolonjë.
Notable people
*Sali Butka, 19th and early 20th century freedom fighter
* Gani Butka, 19th and early 20th centu ...
,
Kolonjë District
Kolonjë is a municipality in Korçë County, southeastern Albania. It was created in 2015 by the merger of the former municipalities Barmash, Çlirim, Ersekë, Leskovik, Mollas, Novoselë, Qendër Ersekë and Qendër Leskovik. The seat of ...
, southern
Albania
Albania ( ; sq, Shqipëri or ), or , also or . officially the Republic of Albania ( sq, Republika e Shqipërisë), is a country in Southeastern Europe. It is located on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas within the Mediterranean Sea and shares ...
on August 10, 1901. He was the fifth child of
Sali Butka
Salih Butka (1852 – 24 October 1938), was an Albanian nationalist figure, kachak, poet, and one of the delegates of the city of Korçë to the Albanian National Congress of Lushnjë.Nikolaeva Todorova Marii︠a︡''Balkan identities: nation ...
, a 19th-century nationalist figure,
kachak
Kachaks ( sq, kaçak, sr, качаци / ''kačaci'') is a term used for the Albanian bandits active in the late 19th and early 20th century in northern Albania, Montenegro, Kosovo and Macedonia, and later as a term for the militias of Albanian ...
, poet, and one of the delegates of the city of
Korçë
Korçë (; sq-definite, Korça) is the eighth most populous city of the Republic of Albania and the seat of Korçë County and Korçë Municipality. The total population is 75,994 (2011 census), in a total area of . It stands on a plateau some ...
to the
Albanian National Congress
The All-Albanian Congress ( sq, Kongresi Gjithë Shqipëtar) or Albanian National Congress or Albanian Independence Congress was a held in Vlorë (then Ottoman Empire, today Republic of Albania) on November 28, 1912. Congress participants constitu ...
of
Lushnjë
Lushnjë (; in Lushnje's own dialect: ''Lushnje'' ; sq-definite, Lushnja) is a city and municipality in west-central Albania. It is located in the County of Fier. The total population is 83,659 (2011 census), in a total area of .
History
...
.
[Nikolaeva Todorova Marii︠a︡]
''Balkan identities: nation and memory.''
C. Hurst & Co. Publishers, 2004. , pp. 108-109. After he finished the elementary school in his native village, he went for further studies in
Linz
Linz ( , ; cs, Linec) is the capital of Upper Austria and third-largest city in Austria. In the north of the country, it is on the Danube south of the Czech border. In 2018, the population was 204,846.
In 2009, it was a European Capital of ...
,
Austria
Austria, , bar, Östareich officially the Republic of Austria, is a country in the southern part of Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine states, one of which is the capital, Vienna, the most populous ...
, where he finished high school. During his stay in Linz he took under his wing his younger cousin,
Qemal Butka
Qemal is a masculine given name. It may refer to:
* Qemal Butka (1907–1997), Albanian architect, painter, politician, and postage stamp engraver
* Qemal Haxhihasani (1916–1991), Albanian historian and folklorist
*Qemal Karaosmani (1875–1948) ...
, a famous Albanian architect who would later become the mayor of
Tirana
Tirana ( , ; aln, Tirona) is the capital and largest city of Albania. It is located in the centre of the country, enclosed by mountains and hills with Dajti rising to the east and a slight valley to the northwest overlooking the Adriatic Sea ...
. After high school, Safet Butka went on to study in the
University of Graz
The University of Graz (german: link=no, Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz, ), located in Graz, Austria, is the largest and oldest university in Styria, as well as the second-largest and second-oldest university in Austria.
History
The unive ...
where he graduated with honors in Philosophy in 1928.
During his stay in Austria, he was the organizer of the student association ''Albania''. He also published a collection of selected
Naim Frashëri
Naim bey Frashëri, more commonly Naim Frashëri (; ; 25 May 184620 October 1900), was an Albanian historian, journalist, poet, rilindas and translator who was proclaimed as the national poet of Albania. He is regarded as the pioneer of modern ...
poetry and in 1925 a study on Naim Frashëri's work. He returned to Albania in 1928 and was appointed professor in the French Lycee of
Korçë
Korçë (; sq-definite, Korça) is the eighth most populous city of the Republic of Albania and the seat of Korçë County and Korçë Municipality. The total population is 75,994 (2011 census), in a total area of . It stands on a plateau some ...
. In 1929 he married Hatixhe Lubonja, with whom he had 4 children, Sali, Iljaz, Uran and Tefta Butka.
From 1928 to 1939 he worked as a teacher and principal in various high schools in the Albanian cities of
Korcë,
Vlorë
Vlorë ( , ; sq-definite, Vlora) is the third most populous city of the Republic of Albania and seat of Vlorë County and Vlorë Municipality. Located in southwestern Albania, Vlorë sprawls on the Bay of Vlorë and is surrounded by the foothi ...
and
Gjirokastër
Gjirokastër (, sq-definite, Gjirokastra) is a city in the Republic of Albania and the seat of Gjirokastër County and Gjirokastër Municipality. It is located in a valley between the Gjerë mountains and the Drino, at 300 metres above sea le ...
. Professor Safet Butka was also a former Principal of the
Tirana
Tirana ( , ; aln, Tirona) is the capital and largest city of Albania. It is located in the centre of the country, enclosed by mountains and hills with Dajti rising to the east and a slight valley to the northwest overlooking the Adriatic Sea ...
Lycee.
[Albania in Occupation and War: From Fascism to Communism 1940-1945 Albania in the Twentieth Century: A History Author Owen Pearson Edition illustrated, annotated Publisher I.B.Tauris, 2006 , p.242] He was also the director of the first Albanian Educators club and was one of the first professors to apply western methods in the teaching process in his country. Following his youth's work, he also organized the return of
Naim Frashëri
Naim bey Frashëri, more commonly Naim Frashëri (; ; 25 May 184620 October 1900), was an Albanian historian, journalist, poet, rilindas and translator who was proclaimed as the national poet of Albania. He is regarded as the pioneer of modern ...
's remains from
Turkey
Turkey ( tr, Türkiye ), officially the Republic of Türkiye ( tr, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti, links=no ), is a list of transcontinental countries, transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolia, Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with ...
to Albania. At this time he also published many works and articles in pedagogical, social and philosophical journals. His career ended in 1939 when he was the director of the State Gymnasium of Tirana. He was one of the organizers of the student demonstrations in April 1939 during the
Italian invasion of Albania
The Italian invasion of Albania (April 7–12, 1939) was a brief military campaign which was launched by the Kingdom of Italy against the Albanian Kingdom in 1939. The conflict was a result of the imperialistic policies of the Italian prime m ...
and on 28 November 1939 (
Albanian independence day). For these activities he was arrested, charged as an antifascist, and later interned in on
Ventotene
Ventotene (; locally ; la, Pandataria or , from grc, Πανδατερία, Pandatería, or ) is one of the Pontine Islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the coast of Gaeta right at the border between Lazio and Campania, Italy. The municipality of ...
island,
Italy
Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...
, by the fascist authorities.
World War II activities
Butka had been interned in Italy for two years until he was released in August 1942 and allowed to return to Albania. He then took to the mountains and became an outstanding leader of the Balli Kombëtar movement in the Korçë area.
The nucleus of his guerrilla group was composed of 70 seasoned and highly experienced warriors, which in case of emergency could become a thousand men strong.
The Butka group had been giving valuable assistance to the fighters at
Vlorë
Vlorë ( , ; sq-definite, Vlora) is the third most populous city of the Republic of Albania and seat of Vlorë County and Vlorë Municipality. Located in southwestern Albania, Vlorë sprawls on the Bay of Vlorë and is surrounded by the foothi ...
and had recovered from the military depots in the village of
Dardhe, Suli, Graçan, Progri, Pleshishti, and Verbinj all the agricultural produce (corn, tobacco, wool, etc.) which the Italians had requisitioned and restored to its owners.
His forces attacked Italians on Floq in January 1943,
Vithkuq
Vithkuq is a village and a former municipality in the Korçë County, southeastern Albania. At the 2015 local government reform it became a subdivision of the municipality Korçë. The population at the 2011 census was 1,519. The municipal unit c ...
in March 1943
and in the Battle of
Pocestë in September 1943. Accompanied by British officers (Captain
David Smiley
Colonel David de Crespigny Smiley, (11 April 1916 – 9 January 2009) was a British special forces and intelligence officer. He fought in the Second World War in Palestine (region), Palestine, Iraq, Persia, Syria, the Western Desert and with Sp ...
and Major
Neil McLean (politician)
Lieutenant-Colonel Neil Loudon Desmond McLean, DSO** (28 November 1918 – 17 November 1986), known as Billy McLean, was a Scottish politician and intelligence officer in the British Army. During World War II, he worked for the Special Operatio ...
), his forces also attacked a
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
**Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ger ...
convoy in
Barmash
Barmash is a village and a former municipality in the Korçë County, southeastern Albania
Albania ( ; sq, Shqipëri or ), or , also or . officially the Republic of Albania ( sq, Republika e Shqipërisë), is a country in Southeastern Eur ...
on 13 August 1943.
On the 25th of March, 1943, Butke's forces engaged and defeated a whole Italian detachment in the vicinity of
Voskopoje
Moscopole or Voskopoja ( sq, Voskopojë; rup, Moscopole, with several other variants; el, Μοσχόπολις, Moschopolis) is a village in Korçë County in southeastern Albania. During the 18th century, it was the cultural and commercial ...
, a locality in the mountainous region to the west of
Korçë
Korçë (; sq-definite, Korça) is the eighth most populous city of the Republic of Albania and the seat of Korçë County and Korçë Municipality. The total population is 75,994 (2011 census), in a total area of . It stands on a plateau some ...
.
There were considerable casualties on both sides, but the volunteer and guerrilla group killed the greater number of Italian soldiers and the remnant surrendered and were taken prisoner.
This same group attacked the enemy headquarters at Voskopoje, where Safet Butka Liberated all the political prisoners, and he took from the military depots at
Erseke an important quantity of arms and munitions.
Butka was one of the founders of
Balli Kombëtar
The Balli Kombëtar (literally ''National Front''), known as Balli, was an Albanian nationalist, collaborationist and anti-communist resistance movement during the Second World War. It was led by Ali Këlcyra and by Midhat Frashëri. The movem ...
, a patriotic organization dating to
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
. Although a staunch nationalist, he tried at various times to cooperate with the Communist-dominated
Liberation Front
Liberation or liberate may refer to:
Film and television
* ''Liberation'' (film series), a 1970–1971 series about the Great Patriotic War
* "Liberation" (''The Flash''), a TV episode
* "Liberation" (''K-9''), an episode
Gaming
* '' Liberati ...
. In February 1943 he organized a meeting with Communist representatives and an agreement for cooperation was reached in March 1943. He also made another local agreement in August 1943 and was one of the initiators and supporters of the
Mukje Agreement
The Mukje Conference was held on 1–3 August 1943 in Mukaj (near Krujë in Central Albania). There was signed the Mukje agreement, a treaty between the nationalist Balli Kombëtar and the National Liberation Movement representatives. The aim w ...
.
After the denouncement of the
Mukje Agreement
The Mukje Conference was held on 1–3 August 1943 in Mukaj (near Krujë in Central Albania). There was signed the Mukje agreement, a treaty between the nationalist Balli Kombëtar and the National Liberation Movement representatives. The aim w ...
by Albanian communists, he was exasperated. He feared a civil war between Albanians and when asked on the matter, always stated that ''The only Albanian that I will kill will be myself''. From 9 to 13 September in Pocestë, the forces of Safet Butka, together with partisan forces attacked the Italian convoy that was retreating from the city of Korçë, blocking its progress for 5 days. On his way home he was informed of the first clashes between Albanian partisans and Balli Kombëtar. Upon hearing such news, he killed himself on 19 September 1943 in the village of
Melçan
Melçan is a community in the Korçë County, Albania. At the 2015 local government reform it became part of the municipality Korçë.
History
During the 1920s, when the Bektashi Order and its headquarters in Hacıbektaş, Turkey were banned, the ...
, faithful to his word.
See also
*
History of Albania
The history of Albania forms a part of the history of Europe. During classical antiquity, Albania was home to several Illyrian tribes such as the Ardiaei, Albanoi, Amantini, Enchele, Taulantii and many others, but also Thracian and Greek tribes ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Butka, Safet
1901 births
1943 deaths
People from Kolonjë
Albanian Muslims
Albanian politicians
Albanian activists
Albanian people of World War II
Albanian military personnel
Suicides in Albania
Albanian politicians who committed suicide
Balli Kombëtar
Safet