Ajten Toptani brings plenty of surprises regarding his ancestors who inherit the most bizarre story of the great families.
– How his grandfather’s exile and imprisonment continued when he was also the son-in-law of a prominent empire official, Naim Frasheri.
– What are the startling stories of the Toptanis, starting at the moment of Isamil Kemal’s arrival in Durres?
– The exalted moments when Ismali Qemali from the historic balcony of independence extended to Murat Toptani the historical flag, which he waved while singing with Jani Minga “Albanian Marseilles”.
– The salient tasks that Ismail Qemali entrusted to two particular signatories Murat and Abdi Toptani.
– How did Naim Frasher’s son-in-law become a cavalry officer in the Austro-Hungarian army in Vienna?
– What had happened in Albania in ’16, when Murat Toptani returned from Vienna and his sudden death, which shook the population of Tirana enormously?
– What happened in Durres to Ismail Kemal of Mufti and priest James, who demanded the physical safety of the Toptanans, who made available an armed force of 500 soldiers?
– How did his journey to Vlora actually continue, when his every move was followed by a Turkic savage?
– How was the critical situation experienced when the Turkish camps cut off the road to arrest Ismail Kemal and the story of the Toptanis who participated in his security?
(Continued from previous issue)
We spoke from Mr. Ajten’s previous issue about the arrests and imprisonments of your grandfather Murat Toptani. I wanted to know exactly how many years in prison, and what persecutions did the man who became the son-in-law of Naim Frasher get from the High Gate?
Murad was interned and jailed several times by the High Gate and spent 14 years in prison and internment.
I explained very clearly and very emphatically that the arrest of Murat had a great reaction in the press of that time, especially in the newspapers of Albanian societies in Italy, Romania, America, Cairo, Greece etc. Following Murat’s incarceration and internment, Dervish Hima continued to maintain contact with his brother Refik Toptani, through whom he provided access to Albanian books, newspapers and other propaganda material, arriving from Bucharest to Bitola and from there to Struga, Elbasan. and other centers.
Murat Toptani, after being held prisoner for some time in Bitola, was exiled from Albania. First in the Gallipoli of the Dardanelles and later in Tripoli, North Africa, where he was confined to the infamous Tarabuluz Garba prison. By mid-1898, Murat along with his father Ahmet of Prishtina and the famous Nevrus Gostivishti, as Mit’had Frasheri writes, managed to escape from the prison of Tripoli, crossing the borders of the Ottoman Empire.
He first went to Naples and then settled in Brindisi, Italy. Escaping the prison was assisted by Arberesh Anselmo Lorechio, publisher of the newspaper “La Nazione Albanese” in Brindisi and Nexhip Kajca.
Murat Toptani’s escape has also echoed in European diplomatic circles, especially Austro-Hungarian and Italian ones. Meanwhile, the escape was not well received by the High Gate itself and some of its supporters from the ranks of the great feudal lords, such as Syria Bey Bay Vlora, Esat Toptani and others.
Then we have his name on the historical pages of the biggest events in the country such as the Independence Act, etc. Right or not?
Murat was together with Abdi Toptani, two Tirana delegates and signatories of the Independence Act in the Vlora Assembly. Mit’hat Frashëri the signer and he wrote for the day that: Ismail Qemali handed over the flag to Murat to place it and he and Jani Minga sang “Marseilles of the Albanian Nation” from the balcony of Vlora (Poetry, Flag of Vlora). The Albanian who wrote those days of the voyage to Vlora, published in the book “The Poems of Murat Toptani” by Lumo Skendo in 1928).
Did you say he was one of the signees of the Vlora Independence Act?
Abdi Toptani was elected Minister of Finance of Vlora Governor and did not receive any salary from the government, but on the contrary … he gave a lot to her. This is what makes this phenomenon “unique” in the history of our governments.
What about Murad?
Murad was elected a member of the Senate. His faith and sympathy for Austria led him to serve as a cavalry officer in the rank of captain in the Austro-Hungarian army in Vienna. Returns home in 1916, four years after leaving a part of the family in a very difficult situation.
What situation did he find when he arrived in his country?
At first he was quite optimistic about the great achievements, but later saddened by the events and situation in the country, he was also disappointed by the restraint of the Austrian army north of Vjosa. The empire was not so powerful. He made some demands to the military command, but received a negative response, not only for the advance southward of the forces, but also for the issue that the Austrian authority was firm in its decision to grant post-occupation autonomy was sufficient. Independence was not even a question for the moment, as Albanians were not prepared for it.
When was his death recorded?
He died at the age of 54 on the 13th of February 1918. The death came very suddenly after a heart attack.
I believe that already he had achieved a great and famous name, did his death cause a great deal of noise?
His death was met with pain and despair by the people of Tirana and Albania. He received a magnificent burial in Tirana. Many newspapers commented on the news both domestically and in Albanian colonies and societies abroad.
Who has been his artistic creativity, given that in many cases he has been described as a very accomplished artist?
In artistic creation Murat is also known as a sculptor and a painter. The Skanderbeg bust restored by Odhise Pascal and the cartoon “Promises of England” are among the first and most important works of the National Renaissance art, which are preserved at the Art Gallery in Tirana.
Mr. Ajten. I think it’s not just these ancestors mentioned by you as contributors to our sacred national cause?
I would also like to mention Fuat Toptani’s contribution to the national cause that later in the 1920s, he was mayor and first chairman of the Chamber of Commerce in Tirana. I recall that the first US consulate was opened at the home of the Toptanas (Adam Toptani) and nearly all the boys of this family studied at the “Harry Fulz” school who were later persecuted unfairly as agents of imperialism and yet made a contribution. important for the country.
Returning to the threshold of declaring independence?
It was the personalities of this family, along with other patriots, who met Ismail Bey’s delegation in Durres, defending him from the Turkoshaks and priest James. Colonels Hamit Toptani with 500 soldiers from Tirana and Shijaku mainly, Refik Toptani, Abdi Toptani, Murat Toptani and lovers of the national cause came to welcome him. Lawyer Hysni Mushketa, who is an eyewitness, points out in his book, “If it were not for the Toftans and other patriots, Ismail Bey would not have had the shirts of the anti-Albanian fanatics of Mufti and priest James, too. who in Durres recognized the Sultan’s flag and authority. “The independence delegation’s journey to Vlora was largely provided by livestock and vehicles as well as funding provided mainly by the” Toptani “family, which owned and owned the area.
And aren’t these values mentioned?
Historiography has always hysterically and briefly interpreted this important episode (perhaps intentionally or for lack of data), sometimes giving romantic descriptions not too clear. At times it seemed that Ismail Bey’s journey was interpreted fast enough to give the impression that he had been teleported from Durres to Vlora. Here is what Dhimiter Zograf, who belonged to the Albanian colony of Bucharest, wrote that Dimitri Zografi, who made an extraordinary contribution to the Independence of Albania. (Romania’s own Albanian-speaking prime minister, Takey Ionescu, gave Ismail Qemali a check for 500,000 gold francs for “occasional expenses.” , I am separating some parts.
Where was Zograf’s statement written?
This writing or testimony has been published, but not widely propagated.
From Dhimiter Zograf we said?
Yes, yes the article was first published by Dimitri Zograf in “The Morning Star” on December 30, 1917.
And what does it say?
As we arrived in Durres we went to the hyacinths to tell the locals our purpose. There Mythearif, an Albanian from Berat, well known but without national feelings. The people of Durres from the Muslims were a few with Albanian feelings, others fanatical and dated with fear, as well as from the Christians, but a few good ones, the other Greek Mavians. To our good fortune, there were an army of about 500 all Albanians, and their commander Colonel Amit Toptani, from Tirana, a noble Albanian, a son of an eagle. This god served our cause very much in those critical days, and our nation would never forget these services, unless it were his master who knows how much opposition and what we might suffer from the fanatics of Durres. and from Mutesarif. Together with Amit Toptani and the soldiers we got the telegraph and from there we call all the beys and the primacy of Albania. We announced the arrival of Ismail Qemali and all come to Vlora, where a large congress will be held and the self-government of our Albania will be threatened. Mutesarifi froze in fear. “I – as an Albanian, I wish the good of Albania, but as the governor of Turkey that I am, I cannot interfere in this work. Make you Abdi Toptani, brother of Amit Bey, Murat Bey Toptani even more brother others from Kruja and other places After finishing our work in Durres, we were ready to go to Vlora Vlora from Durres by sea, lasts 5-6 hours, but by land, in winter keeps 4 days better horses. What we have seen and removed on this route becomes a novel in itself. The Myzeqe fields, submerged in water, seemed like a sea without sides, and we spent 5-6 hours walking up to the knee. And so did long muddy tracks that could barely pull the horse’s foot in. To notice the old courage, courage, the sweet, unchanged face of Elder Ismail Qemali, who was always moving forward. old man like Ismail Qemali, but much younger, as if wearing gold, you are not makes that journey. …………
Here they call us from Durres by telegraph and tell us that the Serbs are approaching Kruja and ask us what to do. Lost in fanaticism, the Durrsaks didn’t want to believe us. Turkey lost even the Serbs approaching Durres, but when they saw the enemy coming to the gate, they sought help from the Albanians. Ismail Qemali, as they were there, tells them: “Raise the Albanian flag quickly in Durres, Tirana, Kruja and elsewhere.” They immediately raised the flag in these areas. The mutesarif of Durres tells us by telegram that he washes his hands of mutesarif, and left his place to Amit Toptani. ……………
All the delegates had gathered at the house of Xhemil Bey in a large parlor. Ismail Qemali rose and described how the loss of Turkey and the suffering and condition of Albania over the great danger our homeland is in, save another, he said, except raising the flag of Albania and threatening self-government. “Long live our Albania,” everyone shouted. “Long live the flag of Albania”. ……………………….
There were some wars in Llogora’s neck, where the Greeks, though three times more than ours, lost more than 100 killed, and of the Albanians 4 killed and 5 wounded. While we were in Vlora, we heard a lot of bad news. One day, 200 Turkish knights came to us from Berat to occupy Vlora, but Murat be Toptani met with other comrades and disarmed them. One Sunday after lunch an Italian mourned for us, and I and Mr. Dimitri Emanoil (Mboria), after we got permission from Mr. Ismail Qemali, we left with this lament for Brindisi ..
You said you got it from?
As I explained before I quoted it, it was taken from the “Morning Star” magazine, published November 30, 1917.
After what we are quoting and witnessing daily in this debate of the 100th anniversary of the country’s independence, I think that historians and politicians must now reflect on national history for the fact that we notice it alienated and truncated or not?
Yes, Yes. Independence Day and 100th Anniversary should be a great moment of reflection in the consciousness of every Albanian. To seek at the sensation of each individual in the form of imagination, sacrifice and the difficult journey of the protagonists of the great national work. How much blood has been shed on the battlefields, how much sweat, sacrifice, and how much energy has been made available by our renaissance patriots for this country that we have often misused in actions triggered by feelings of political power and petty gain on the back. of the country and the future. We need to reflect on this 100th anniversary, where we were, what we are, and where we should go. No country in the world becomes Albania except what we have. We need to reflect when we look at the facsimile of Independence, the names of those signatories silently feeling the resonance of the sacrifices of the struggles and struggles of the last century. To understand how badly the regimes later dealt with the protagonists of independence.
I believe that you also share the view that it is not only sin in history to erase the memory of men sacrificed for the great cause of the nation?
Most of these men of the nation were persecuted or killed in political rivalry, persecuted for class reasons, imprisoned, and exiled by their own compatriots largely, to the ensuing family members who carried the heavy burden of the war of the classes. The properties were confiscated as bourgeois families and were not returned or at least compensated in a dignified manner, but remained illegal in their fundamental right.
What is your desire in the closing of this extended interview?
I wish, after 100 years, that the dominance of political preferences over the great national interest and the country’s perspective will end in us, to join and prosper with dignity in the great European family. I know it was a long write up, but I had the pleasure of this important occasion. Thanking the reader for his patience. I give my best wishes for the 100th anniversary of the Albanian state
Thank you, Mr. Toptani.
Thank you for having the political and emotional desire and impartiality to describe with absolute clarity the indisputable truth of the Toptanis, who certainly were not alone, but who wish to be explored and only explored as a sacred duty to the written history of our people.
(er.nu/GSH/BalkanWeb)
written by Fatos Veliu
