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The truth about the Arbanas, Albanians who have lived in Zadar, Croatia for 3 centuries

2026-05-28 19:50:12Histori SHKRUAR NGA NAIL DRAGA
The Arbanasi settled in this area in the third decade of the 18th century, namely in 1726, creating their settlement under the name Arbanasi, in Zemunik, Zadar. (In the photo: Main street in Arbanasi, 1901)

Although about three centuries have passed, the Albanian population of Zadar, although small in number and separated from their homeland, the Shkodra Region, namely northern Albania, has not lost its national identity. As displaced from the areas of Shestan, Ljara, Brisku, Pinç, Muriqi and others, in the northwestern part of the Region, the Albanians with great sacrifices survived and challenged the circumstances of the time, making a name for themselves in the new environment through well-known cadres in various social activities. The proof is also the book by prof. dr. Aleksandar Stipçeviqi, “Albanians for the Albanians of Zadar”, published by: Catholic Church – Braticë, Ulcinj, 2016

The treatment of topics related to the Albanian diaspora is an issue of multidimensional interest, due to the fact that they are an inseparable part of our national memory. The historical diaspora also includes that of the Arbanasi of Zadar, who settled in this environment in the third decade of the 18th century, namely in 1726, creating their settlement with the name Arbanasi, in Zemunik of Zadar.

But, although about three centuries have passed, the Albanian population of Zara, although small in number and separated from their homeland, the Shkodra Region, namely northern Albania, has not lost its national identity. As displaced people from the areas of Shestan, Ljara, Brisku, Pinç, Muriqi and others, in the northwestern part of the Region, they survived with great sacrifices and challenged the circumstances of the time, making a name for themselves in the new environment through well-known cadres in various social activities.

According to the information we have, interest in Albanians is evident from the end of the 19th century, and since then, it appears that various articles and studies have been written about this Albanian diaspora.

In the wide range of researchers, linguists occupy a leading place, because the Arbneshe dialect is archaic and of great interest for the historical development of the Albanian language and its lexicon. Even dissertations have been defended about this dialect by scientific authorities such as, for example, Dr. Idriz Ajeti and others.

The Arbneshët of Zara have produced personalities from the field of literature such as Josip Rela, from the field of music Shime Deshpali, from the field of science Kruno Kërstiqi, Aleksandër Stipçeviqi, from the field of sports Josip Gjergja and others. For these activities and others, the author of this publication brings interesting data, which provide opportunities for further research.

Stipcevic – an erudite of international stature

There is no doubt that the greatest personality of the Arbanasi of Zadar was academic Aleksandër Stipçeviqi (1930-2015), who was a multifaceted researcher in archaeology, Illyrianology, Albanology, history, ethnology, bibliology, and sociology of the book, recognized nationally and internationally.

Thanks to his professional training and knowledge of several foreign languages, A. Stip?evi?'s scientific activity is developed in several directions, while two of them remain the main ones: archeology and bibliography. He has published about 40 books and more than 200 scientific and professional papers in Croatian, Italian, Albanian, English, French, Arabic and Persian in national and international publications.

Among the main publications we highlight: "Art and Religion of the Illyrians", "Illyrians", "Bibliography of the Illyrians", "Illyrians - History, Culture, Life", "Illyrian Cult Symbols", "History of the Book", "The Perfect Censor", "Social History", "Cultural Tradition of the Arbëneshs of Zara" and others.

The truth about the Arbanas, Albanians who have lived in Zadar, Croatia for 3
The publication of this bibliographic book, in two languages, Croatian and Albanian, translated by Dr. Simë Dobreci, represents an initiative of both cultural and scientific value and as such will be indispensable for all those who will deal with various topics about the Arbënshes of Zadar.

Decorations from Albania

For his scientific activity, he has been decorated with various titles, including the "Naim Frashëri i Artë" decoration from the President of the Republic of Albania, Rexhep Mejdani, in 2001, with the motivation "for contribution to the clarification of the history of the Illyrians", as well as the "Gjergj Katstrioti-Skënderbeu" decoration from President Bujar Nishani in 2015, "for scientific, journalistic and national merits".

From A. Stipçeviq's extensive creative opus, his statement that "the history of the Balkans begins with the Illyrians" has remained emblematic, becoming a testament to serious researchers in the field of ancient history.

In this bibliographical study, the author presents us with a wide register of Albanian authors who have dealt with various topics related to the Arbneshës of Zara. The most numerous data from this range are from publications in Prishtina, Skopje, Tirana and Ulcinj.

The role of the magazine "Buzuku"

On this occasion, we must single out the magazine “Buzuku” in Ulcinj, directed by Dr. Simë Dobreci, which in several issues has published materials that specifically concern the Arbënshe of Zadar. And it cannot be otherwise, because it is the common origin of this population that has been presented through popular literature but also various articles from different study profiles.

Browsing this bibliographic publication, it is striking that the largest number of authors is from Kosovo, Macedonia and Montenegro, while the smallest number is from Albania. Considering that half of the Albanian people were within the former Yugoslavia, it is also logical that Albanians in this country had an easier opportunity to communicate with the Albanians of Zadar. But, on the other hand, the passive or rather indifferent attitude of Albania is a consequence of the political circumstances at the time of the monist dictatorship where the ideological approach was in the first place and not the national one, an issue that had consequences for the Albanian nation as a whole, which are present to this day.

But, it is unfortunate that Albania, namely the relevant institutions, are not playing their role that belongs to them under the Constitution of Albania even now in pluralism. Because it should be the primary duty of the Albanian state, namely its institutions, to be interested in the members of the Albanian people wherever they are, as other states do around the world. The indifferent attitude at this time cannot be justified by anything, because this diaspora is also an inseparable part of our historical memory.

Publication of more than just bibliographical value

The publication of this bibliographic book, in two languages, Croatian and Albanian, translated by Dr. Simë Dobreci, represents an initiative of both cultural and scientific value and as such will be indispensable for all those who will address various topics about the Arbënshes of Zadar, because the bibliography represents the primary stage for any approach to scientific works.

Even though we are dealing with a brochure-type publication, the data presented in the future must be supplemented, because the index of the bibliographic register must be higher, a task that remains to be accomplished by other authors.

There is no doubt that such an action will be in favor of scientific publications and research in the field of bibliography in particular and our national culture in general, where the Arbënshe of Zara will remain a positive point of reference in our national history. /Koha.net


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