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107-685: The Raqi Qirinxhi High School's history starts with the Lyceum of Korça. The Lyceum opened its doors on 25 October 1917 as the French Lyceum with the decision of the government of the Autonomous Region of Korçë . In 1921 it was renamed to National Lyceum . It was a secular school where all the subjects were in the French language with the exception of the Albanian language. During World War II , many students of

214-670: A military operation that aimed to connect the Allied front in Thessaloníki in the Macedonian front to the region in south Albania , which was held by the Italian troops. French troops in Korçë were under General Maurice Sarrail , and under direct command of Colonel Descoins. There were two groups of rebels active in the region of Korçë, one was led by Themistokli Gërmenji and another by Sali Butka . In

321-511: A calendar of events was introduced, building façades painted, and city parks reinvigorated. The European Union is financing the renovation of the Korça Old Bazaar while the city centre was redesigned, and a watch tower constructed. Korçë lies mostly between latitudes 40° and 36° N and longitudes 20° and 46° E . The municipality of Korçë is encompassed in the County of Korçë within

428-448: A census, which counted 15,453 inhabitants in the city, of which 11,453 were designated as "Greeks" and the rest 4,000 as "Albanians", however, the census did not inquire about ethnicity, but rather instead explicitly had all Christians renamed "Greeks" and all Muslims changed to "Albanians", by religious criteria alone. At the time, even ethnographers sympathetic to the Greek claims considered

535-580: A collapsing Ottoman Empire. During the late Ottoman era, Orthodox Albanians involved in the Albanian National Awakening came mainly from Korçë and its surrounding areas. On the other hand, the city council of Korçë, known as demogerontia ( Greek : Δημογεροντία ), and the metropolitan bishop of the city who identified as Greeks sent a secret memorandum to the foreign office department of Greece suggesting various ways to tackle activities by Albanian nationalists. In 1885, Jovan Cico Kosturi became

642-569: A combined attack on the Italian army, occupied Korçë and ejected the Greek garrison from the city. Bulgaria's objective was to persuade the Albanian leaders to elect Prince Kiril , second son of Ferdinand I of Bulgaria , as their king. An additional reason for the Bulgarian occupation of Korçë was that Bulgarian positions in Bitolj would be seriously threatened if the Allies gained control of Korçë. When

749-678: A community of the Albanian-Americans , who had previously emigrated there. After 1990 Korçë was one of the six cities where the New Democratic Party won all the constituencies. Popular revolts in February 1991 ended with the tearing down of Hoxha's statue. After the fall of communism, the city fell into disregard in many aspects. However following the 2000s, the city experienced a makeover as main streets and alleys started to be reconstructed, locals began to renovate their historic villas,

856-420: A few small books were published and the script briefly flourished in Korçë. At the end of the 19th century local Albanians expressed a growing need to be educated in their native language. The Albanian intellectual diaspora from Istanbul and Bucharest initially tried to avoid antagonism towards the notables of Korçë, who were in favor of Greek culture. Thus they suggested the introduction of Albanian language in

963-670: A force of 20,000 Albanians and surrounded Korçë yet again. He sent the French forces an ultimatum, and Korçë was once again handed over to the Albanians rather than the Greeks, as the French wanted to place Korçë under Greek administration. The Conference of ambassadors , considering Albania's claims to the area, commissioned a League of Nations report consisting of three on the ground commissioners in December 1921. One commissioner, Finnish professor Jakob Sederholm noted in 1922 that Korçë's population

1070-559: A great role in the opening of the school. As a high-ranking statesman in the ministry of education of the Ottoman Empire he managed to get official permission for the school. The Ottoman authorities gave permission only for Christian children to be educated in Albanian, but the Albanians did not follow this restriction and allowed also Muslim children to attend. It survived until 1902 under the teachers Leonidis and Naum Naça who were arrested and declared as traitors by Ottoman authorities at

1177-450: A local Islamic centre and to raise it to the rank of kasaba ("town"), through the registration of its inhabitants as citizens instead of farmers. Being subjected to the Kaza of Korça, the villages of Episkopi, Boboshtica, Leshnjë and Vithkuq were used in 1505 as sources of income on behalf of the five institutions of Ilias Bey's vakfa . The vakfa he founded also served the purpose of organizing

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1284-508: A meeting on December 10 at 9 am in the Saint George's School and Gërmenji held a speech to the gathered men and after the meeting led the commission to the prefecture. In the prefecture they met with Colonel Descoins and with the other French officers. Haki Shemshedini approached to Colonel Descoins on behalf of the commission. Colonel Descoins informed the commission that they should sign a protocol. On December 10, 1916, Colonel Descoins and

1391-538: A rebellion by the Greek population residing in the region of Korçë, who asked the intervention of the Greek army. This rebellion was initially suppressed by the Dutch commanders of the Albanian gendarmerie, that consisted of 100 Albanians led by the Orthodox Albanian nationalist Themistokli Gërmenji , and as a result the local Greek-Orthodox bishop Germanos and other members of the town council were arrested and expelled by

1498-696: A result, the local Greeks asked the French authorities to prolong their occupation until the end of World War I. In the period of March 1917 – February 1918, Qani Dishnica was appointed as the Chairman of the Albanian Administrative Council. On the French side, the delegated governors of the Republic of Korçë were Henri Descoins (December 10, 1916 – May 11, 1917), Salle (1917–1919) and Reynard Lespinasse (June 1919 – May 26, 1920). The French delegated governors appointed an officer to be their delegate to

1605-697: A reward and result of Greece's adherence to the Entente alliance along with France. Particularly relevant was the opening in 1917 of the Albanian National Lyceum . The rule of the Ottoman Empire over Korçë lasted until 1912 when Albania declared its independence . The city and its surroundings were supposed to become part of the Principality of Bulgaria , according to the Treaty of San Stefano in 1878, while

1712-514: A reward from the Sultan, seven villages located in the Korçë area: Leshnjë, Vithkuq, Peshkëpi, Boboshticë , Panarit , Treska, and Trebicka. This accord was finalized gradually through four firmans . In the first firman Leshnjë and Vithkuq were accorded to Ilias Bey as mülk (land tenure). However he met difficulties while collecting the incomes and after twelve years these villages turned into their earlier status of timars , being substituted through

1819-457: A second firman in the year 1497 by the locality Piskopiye , which included two sections. In the third firman (1497) the boundaries of Piskopiye were defined, establishing its demarcation between Mborje , Barç and Bulgarec , a site area corresponding to the territory of today's Korçë city. As a product of this process, the town of Korçë dates from the end of the 15th century. The name Gorica corresponded to an older fortified settlement, and

1926-521: A tendency to interfere in politics, Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau relieved him of his command in December 1917. There was a strong French influence in Korçë even after the Autonomous Republic ceased to exist. The Albanian National Lyceum remained active until 1939; a French Military Cemetery was built and remains today in the city. Kor%C3%A7%C3%AB Korçë ( pronounced [ˈkɔɾtʃə] ; Albanian definite form : Korça )

2033-400: Is August with an average temperature of 21.3 °C (70.3 °F). By contrast, the coldest month is January with an average temperature of −0.8 °C (30.6 °F). Korçë receives around 766.7 mm (30.19 in) annual precipitation with summer minimum and winter maximum. Temperatures generally remain cooler than western Albania, due to the middle altitude of the plain in which it

2140-440: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Republic of Kor%C3%A7%C3%AB 40°37′23″N 20°46′31″E  /  40.62306°N 20.77528°E  / 40.62306; 20.77528 The Autonomous Province of Korçë ( Albanian : Krahina Autonome e Korçës ), sometimes referred to as Republic of Korçë ( French : République de Koritza ), was an autonomous legal entity established in 27/10 December 1916, by

2247-503: Is closely related with the actions of Ilias Bey Mirahori , a Muslim Albanian convert born in the village of Panarit in the Korçë area, who acquired large properties in the location of present-day Korçë. Ilias Bey was the 'Master of the Stables' of Sultan Bayezid II , and the first equerry and conqueror of Psamathia in the Ottoman capture of Constantinople . In 1484 Ilias Bey received, as

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2354-493: Is considered as the urban core of the city. Founded by the local Ottoman Albanian nobleman Ilias Bey Mirahori , the urban area of Korçë dates back to the late 15th century and the beginning of the 16th century, however its actual physiognomy was realized in the 19th century, during a period that corresponds with the rapid growth and development of the city. The Old Bazaar has played a dominant role in Albania's market history. Korçë

2461-407: Is considered to have been a successful experiment in Albanian self-administration, as the French allowed the entity to "act as if it were an independent state", minting its own coinage, introducing its own flag, and printing its own stamps. According to Stickney, the republic gave Albanians the opportunity for self-government under the light tutelage of the French, and they were able to build a state in

2568-662: Is of Slavic origin. The word "gorica" means "hill" in South Slavic languages , and is a very common toponym in Albania and Slavic countries (e.g. Podgorica in Montenegro, Gorizia , Dolna Gorica in the Pustec municipality, and so on). It is diminutive of the Slavic toponym "gora", meaning mountain, which is also found in placenames throughout Slavic countries as well as non-Slavic countries like Albania, Greece and Italy. Korçë's foundation

2675-542: Is one of the few schools in Albania where in some of the classes students learn French as the first language. In 2015 a new soccer, basketball, volleyball and tennis field was added to the school as part of the Community School Project. The school also has an inside soccer field which is used in winter. It is also used for vote-counting in election years. It is a four floor building with a museum, library, soccer field etc. This Albanian school-related article

2782-476: Is situated, but it receives about 2800 hours of solar radiation per year. Korçë is a municipality governed by a mayor–council government system with the mayor of Korçë and the members of the Korçë Municipal Council authorized for the administration of Korçë Municipality. Korçë is home to two foreign consulates; Greek and Romanian. Korçë is twinned with: Korçë also cooperates with: During

2889-532: Is the eighth most populous city of Albania and the seat of Korçë County and Korçë Municipality. The total population of the city is 51,152 and 75,994 of Korçë municipality (2011 census), in a total area of 806 km (311 sq mi). It stands on a plateau some 850 m (2,789 ft) above sea level , surrounded by the Morava Mountains. The area of the Old Bazaar , including Mirahori Mosque ,

2996-406: Is the largest city of eastern Albania and an important cultural and industrial centre. Korçë is named differently in other languages: Aromanian : Curceaua , Curceauã , Curceau or Curciau ; Bulgarian , Macedonian and Serbian : Горица, Goritsa ; Greek : Κορυτσά , Korytsa ; Italian : Coriza ; Romanian : Corcea or Corița ; Turkish : Görice . The current name

3103-771: The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs , through its ambassador, stating that the establishment of the Autonomous Albanian Republic of Korçë violated the Treaty of London . Austria-Hungary used the French precedent in Korçë to justify the proclamation of the independence of Albania under its protectorate on January 3, 1917, in Shkodër . The Kingdom of Italy followed suit when proclaiming the independence of Albania under its protectorate on June 23, 1917, in Gjirokastra . Because General Maurice Sarrail had demonstrated

3210-640: The Great Powers , the Greek army re-entered the area. During the Greek administration, and while the First World War continued, it had been agreed between Greece, Italy and the Great Powers that the final settlement of the Northern Epirote issue should be left to the future, after the war ended. After Venizelos ' resignation in December however, the succeeding royalist governments were determined to exploit

3317-722: The Institute of Statistics (INSTAT), the city of Korçë include 51,683 (25,478 male; 26,205 female) people as of the 2011 Census. The city of Korçë was one of the major centres of the Greek minority in southern Albania, the other being Gjirokastër, A Greek minority still found in Korçë. Aromanians of Korçë live mainly in one neighborhood of the city where they speak Aromanian, have Aromanian cultural associations that are divided between pro-Romanian and pro-Greek factions, receive church liturgy in Aromanian and maintain cultural and economic connections to Romania and Greece. Romani also inhabit

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3424-545: The Southern Region of Albania and consists of the adjacent administrative units of Drenovë , Lekas , Mollaj , Qendër Bulgarec , Vithkuq , Voskop , Voskopojë and Korçë as its seat. As of the Köppen climate classification , Korçë falls under the periphery of the warm-summer Mediterranean climate ( Csb , bordering on Dsb ) zone with an average annual temperature of 10.4 °C (50.7 °F). The warmest month of Korçë

3531-470: The Stalinist rule of Enver Hoxha , Korçë gained a substantial industrial capacity in addition to its historic role as a commercial and agricultural centre. Local industries include the manufacture of knitwear, rugs, textiles, flour-milling, brewing, and sugar-refining. The city is home to the nationally famous Birra Korça . According to official reports the city enjoys one of the lowest unemployment rates in

3638-551: The Sultan's Mosque of Berat . The name Episkopi in Greek signifies a sacred place for the Orthodox faith, however, it is not certain if it was a coincidence or an intended strategy to build a mosque on the site of an older Orthodox church or monastery. With the establishment of the religious, educational and charitable institutions in the area, Ilias Bey must have planned to make the village

3745-620: The Treaty of Berlin of the same year returned the area to Ottoman rule. In 1910, the Church Alliance of local Orthodox Albanians led to the proclamation of an Albanian church by Mihal Grameno , but this effort was too isolated to affect the population. The armed Albanian bands, or çeta groups, of Sali Butka , Spiro Bellkameni and Kajo Babjeni briefly liberated Korçë from the Ottomans in August 1912. Korçë's proximity to Greece, which claimed

3852-474: The United States consisted mainly of Orthodox Albanians from Korçë and surrounding areas who went to work there, save money and intending to eventually return home. At beginning of the 18th century the inhabitants of Korçë attended the schools of nearby Moscopole . The first school, a Greek language school, in the city was established in 1724 with the support of residents of nearby Vithkuq . This school

3959-411: The fascist and Nazi enemies. Three of them have been declared People's Heroes of Albania by the Albanian government for extraordinary acts of bravery. After 1944, the re-opened school was named after former alumnus and teacher Raqi Qirinxhi, People's Teacher of Albania. Nowadays Raqi Qirinxhi High School is one of the highest ranking high schools of Albania. In 2015 it had a coefficient of 1.4. It

4066-580: The Albanian authorities expelled the Greek Orthodox metropolitan bishop Jakob. This event triggered demonstrations by the Orthodox community of the city. Immigration quotas during 1922-4 restricted former migrants returning to the United States and Korçë residents instead migrated to Australia to Moora , Western Australia and Shepperton , Victoria working in farming and agriculture related employment. Italian forces occupied Korçë in 1939, along with

4173-549: The Albanian nationalist uprising; by converting the Albanian uprising to the Allied cause, Sarrail hoped to protect his left flank and enable it to join up with the Italians in Vlorë and discourage the Austrians from trying to advance through Albania. Furthermore, a peaceful and stable allied Korçë under French influence would reduce the number of troops the French army needed to commit to hold

4280-611: The Christian inhabitants. It ultimately remained part of Albania, as determined by the International Boundary Commission , which affirmed the country's 1913 borders. Although assurances were given in the Paris Peace Conference by Albanian officials for the recognition of the Greek minority, Greek speech was prohibited in local education, religious life and in private within Korçë in the 1920s. At November 1921

4387-555: The Church that was located there. Görice was incorporated as a sandjak in the Manastir Vilayet of the Ottoman Empire . When the nearby town of İskopol (Moscopole or Moschopolis or Voskopojë) was destroyed by Ali Pasha 's men in 1789, some of its commerce shifted to Görice (Korçë) and Arnavud Belgrad (Berat). Korçë grew as part of its population came from nearby Moscopole. Greek sources (Liakos and Aravandinos ) have noted of

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4494-480: The Council. The first officer appointed was reserve Lieutenant Bargeton, who was replaced in the middle of January 1917 by a Lieutenant Siegfried. The Autonomous Province of Korçë is often cited as an example of early 20th-century international administration and intervention. The French introduced various reforms to improve local governance. They established a framework for a modern administrative system, which included

4601-629: The Dutch. Under the terms of the Protocol of Corfu (May 1914), the city became part of the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus inside the borders of the principality of Albania , but on 10 July 1914 the Greek Northern Epirote forces took over the city. Under Greek occupation, for the purpose of convincing the Congress of London of Greek expansionist claims, the Greek authorities took

4708-412: The French assured the Italians that they did not have any territorial claims on either Korçë; General Sarrail's reports insisted that the local Albanians had proclaimed the republic, then asked for it to be put under French protection, and that Descoins had merely complied with the wishes of the local population. On 16 February 1918, Sarrail's successor officially abrogated the proclamation, and following

4815-451: The French for allowing them to continue their self-governance without much interference. The Autonomous Republic of Korçë was greatly important for the Albanian nationalist movement, as it demonstrated to the world a resurgence in power for Albanian nationalism in one of the areas where it had been the strongest before the war, and it also demonstrated the successful cooperation of Albanian Christians and Muslims in governance. The government

4922-475: The French in the city, Butka continued the encirclement; eventually, Butka and the Albanians sent their demands to the French, which ultimately culminated in the creation of the Autonomous Province of Korçë . After coming to the conclusion that the local Albanians thoroughly disliked the Greek administration of the area, on 8 December 1916, Sarrail cabled that French military policy should change to support

5029-475: The French occupation brought significant developments. The French authorities invested in the construction and improvement of roads, bridges, and public buildings. In September 1917, General Maurice Sarrail undertook an action against the armies of Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria in Albania, and on September 9 French troops captured Pogradec . Together with the armies of Bulgaria and Austria-Hungary, there were Albanians , led by Hysejn Nikolica, fighting against

5136-611: The French troops. Themistokli Gërmenji was awarded the Croix de Guerre in November 1917, for his participation in the French capture of Pogradec with the battalion from Korçë. Although the French government considered appointing Essad Pasha Toptani to govern the Pogradec region it remained under French administration. An Albanian rifle regiment was formed, and served as vanguard for the French forces. In November 1917, General Salle reported that

5243-660: The Germans occupied the town until 24 October 1944. During the occupation, the city became a major centre of Communist-led resistance to the Axis occupation of Albania. The establishment of the Albanian Party of Labour —the Communist Party—was formally proclaimed in Korçë in 1941. Albanian rule was restored in 1944 following the withdrawal of German forces. Right after World War II many people fled to Boston , United States joining

5350-543: The Habsburg forces first advanced into Albania at the tail of the fleeing Serbian forces, they were greeted as liberators, and the Albanian nationalist movement was enthusiastic about their willingness to allow Albanian self government under their wing, and the various Albanian schools they opened across Albania and Kosovo. However, this enthusiasm dimmed after Albanian leaders learned that "assemblies for political purposes were prohibited in districts occupied by Imperial armies", and

5457-636: The Korçë Aromanian populations' origins that in addition to many being from Moscopole, others settled during a time of calm and were from the village of Shalës, Kolonjë and established the market district of Korçë known as Varosh. Aromanians from the Arvanitovlach subgroup that in the early 19th century arrived to the Korçë area played a significant role in establishing the Korçë Christian urban class. In Psalidas ' work Geography from 1830 noted that in

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5564-423: The absence of the great power rivalry that had beset King Wilhelm's earlier government. However, this French initiative of Albanian self-rule ended without success and the head of this Republic was shot on the accusations of being an Austrian spy. It later became clear that the military tribunal had made a grave judicial error, its members having been led astray by Greek informers who wished Gërmenji removed since he

5671-757: The area. On the 10th of December 1916, fourteen Albanian delegates, including seven Muslims and seven Christians, proclaimed the Autonomous Albanian Republic of Korçë. The French agreed to these demands and the fourteen representatives of Korçë and Colonel Descoins signed a protocol that proclaimed the Autonomous Albanian Republic of Korçë under the military protection of the French army and with Themistokli Gërmenji as president. The French pursued policies which strengthened expressions of Albanian nationalism. Greek schools were closed down, Greek clergy and pro-Greek notables expelled while allowing Albanian education and promoting Albanian self-government through

5778-555: The area. Some sources find this claim inappropriate, considering that the French Lycée in Thessaloníki sent professor Vital Gerson to lead a small team of three Albanian professors to join a French officer, who gave some notions of French culture, on the opening ceremony of the school. The French National Lyceum was the first Albanian high school that was open to the students of all faiths. The frange ( Albanian ) or franc (French)

5885-403: The atheistic campaign. The St. Sotir Church serves the Aromanian community of Korçë. It was built from 1995 to 2005. The church had already existed in the early 20th century, having been completed in 1925, but it was demolished by the Albanian communist authorities in 1959. Islam entered the city in the 15th century through Iljaz Hoxha , an Albanian janissary , who actively participated in

5992-522: The attempt at cooperation between Christians and Muslims had resulted in frequent difficulties. At the end of 1917 Gërmenji was accused of collaboration with the Central Powers and executed in Thessaloniki after being sentenced to death by the French military court. General Salle removed the already limited autonomy of the Council on February 16, 1918. After the armistices and capitulations at

6099-448: The autonomous Korçë republic, although Greek schools were reopened after a year and two months in February 1918. Another factor that reinforced Albanian sentiments among the population was the return of 20–30,000 Orthodox Albanian emigrants mainly to Korçë and the surrounding region who had attained Albanian nationalist sentiments abroad. The change in French policy to support the Albanians did create some tensions between France and Italy;

6206-427: The city Albanian. Since the passes over the Pindus mountain range were much difficult, the Greeks wished to retain this city after the 1914 occupation of parts of southern Albania because only Korçë granted the successful maintenance of communications by land between the territories of Epirus and Macedonia that were acquired by Greece in 1913. In October 1914 the city came again under Greek administration. During

6313-421: The city during this period. Under these developments, a special community fund, named the Lasso fund , was established in 1850 by the local Orthodox bishop Neophytos, in order to support Greek cultural activity in Korçë. At the eve of the Balkan Wars (1912) the total number of students attending Greek education in the city numbered 2,115. Around 1850, Naum Veqilharxhi created an Albanian alphabet in which

6420-421: The city was under French administration in 1916 (the Republic of Korçë ), Greek schools were closed and 200 Albanian schools were opened. In the city of Korçë itself, four primary schools opened, and one secondary school opened and functioned quite successfully. A plebiscite was held and voters indicated that they wanted the Albanian schools to stay open. However, a few months later Greek schools were reopened as

6527-416: The city, in particular the Kulla e Hirit neighborhood and their presence in the city mainly dates to the early 20th century when they migrated from Turkey to Florina and ultimately Korçë. For centuries Korçë has been an important religious centre for both Orthodox Christians and Muslims , hosting a significant Orthodox community as well as significant Sunni and Bektashi communities in and around

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6634-403: The city. Students of the local Greek minority attend either private Greek institutions or Albanian public schools. In 2009, a madrassa (Islamic highschool) was built in Korçë and is operated by the Muslim Community of Albania . Korçë is the 7th populous city in Albania and the largest city in the Korçë County . In 2007, the population of the city was about 86,176 inhabitants. According to

6741-409: The city. Sali Butka's Albanian band burned Moscopole in response to the pro-Greek behaviour of the French administration, and threatened that Korçë would share the same fate. Meanwhile, the Venizelos Movement of National Defence was unable to dispatch reinforcements to the region, and French General Maurice Sarrail demanded the withdrawal of the local Greek garrison. While Gërmenji negotiated with

6848-407: The city. The main centre of the Bektashis of the area is the Turan Takya . In modern days, there are also smaller numbers of Catholics and Protestants in the city, as well the irreligious . The second Albanian Protestant church was opened in Korçë. In 1940, Korçë's Evangelical Church was closed down by the Italian fascist forces. Even before the foundation of the modern town, the Korçë district

6955-510: The commission signed a protocol, according to which an autonomous province would be established on the territories of Korçë, Bilishti , Kolonja , Opar and Gora. It was also agreed that the 14 members of the commission would make up the administrative council, responsible for maintaining order. The text of the protocol, which stated that it was made according to the wishes of the Albanian delegates of kaza of Korçë, had 9 points that are summarized below: The new authorities in Korçë organized

7062-409: The country. The majority of foreign investment comes from Greek, as well as joint Albanian-Greek enterprises. The city is home to Fan Noli University , founded in 1971, which offers several degrees in the humanities, sciences and business. The university includes a school in Agriculture, Teaching, Business, Nursing, and Tourism. With the prohibition of Greek education in the city, at c. 1922, there

7169-532: The creation of municipal councils and the implementation of new laws and regulations aimed at ensuring justice and order. Cultural relations also saw substantial changes during the French administration. The presence of French troops and officials introduced Western European cultural influences to Korçë. The French promoted education and cultural exchange, supporting the establishment of schools and cultural institutions. France intended to help in establishing 200 elementary schools on Albanian language , as part of

7276-467: The disarmament order given by the Austrians was widely resented and even resisted to an extent. As a result, chetas in the area of Korçë led by Themistokli Gërmenji, Mihal Grameno and Sali Butka became interested in other alliances. They would ultimately call for cooperation with the French, because it seemed that the French were inclined to respect what they considered to be Albanian national rights. French troops entered Korçë on November 29, 1916, during

7383-526: The district of Varosh in Korçë, 100 Aromanian families lived there. According to French diplomat François Pouqueville there were 1,300 families living in the city in 1805 with two thirds of them being Christian. Korçë went from having a population of 8,200 (1875) to 18,000 (1905) and of those 14,000 adhered to Orthodox Christianity. Of those considered as Greek in Korçë, this was because they adhered to Orthodox Christianity, but Michael Palairet argues that most were probably Aromanians (Vlachs). Sources of

7490-454: The early 20th century report that the population was primarily ethnic Albanian. Greek was the language of the elite and the majority of the Aromanian population engaged in commerce, crafts and international trade becoming one of the wealthiest communities in Epirus and Macedonia. Albanians of Korçë engaged mostly in stockbreeding, agriculture and were poor. The inhabitants of the city spoke both Albanian and Greek. Korçë's cultural isolation

7597-463: The end of First World War , it was agreed that France and Italy should continue to govern the territories they occupied, and that France, Italy and the British Empire together should govern Shkodër . As a result, the French army moved from Korçë on June 15, 1920. After the French army left Korçë, the fate of the territory that it administered was decided by the Paris Peace Conference in 1919 . On December 12, 1916, Italy demanded explanations from

7704-452: The entire Orthodox population as Greek, led to its being fiercely contested in the Balkan Wars of 1912–1913. Greek forces captured Korçë from the Ottomans on 6 December 1912 and afterwards proceeded to imprison the Albanian nationalists of the town. Its incorporation into Albania in 1913 was disputed by Greece, who claimed it as part of the region called Northern Epirus , and resulted in

7811-562: The existing Greek Orthodox schools, a proposal which was discussed with the local bishop and the city council, the demogeronteia , and finally rejected by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople . In the late 1870s the Albanian Committee of Patriots devised a Latin-based Albanian script which was also adopted by British and U.S. Protestant missionaries The Central Committee for Defending Albanian Rights founded in

7918-521: The first Albanian girls school in 1891. It was started by Gjerasim Qiriazi and later run by his sisters, Sevasti and Parashqevi Qiriazi , together with Polikseni Luarasi (Dhespoti). Later collaborators were the Rev. & Mrs. Grigor Cilka and Rev & Mrs. Phineas Kennedy of the Congregational Mission Board of Boston. Both schools were closed by the Ottoman authorities during 1902–1904. When

8025-577: The founder of a committee called the Albanian Cultural Society, along with co-founders Thimi Marko and Orhan Pojani , but the formation of the organization was suppressed by both the Ottoman and Orthodox Church authorities, so it went underground and carried on its activities as the Secret Committee of Korça ( Albanian : Komiteti i Fshehtë i Korçës ), and two years later, in March 1887, with

8132-495: The future leader of communist Albania. The Republic of Korçë was established in 1916 during World War I . The Austro-Hungarian army invaded northern Albania in the spring of 1916, the Kingdom of Bulgaria 's army occupied the eastern parts of Albania, including the city of Elbassan (which was later handed over to Austria-Hungary ). The French army occupied Korçë and its surrounding areas on November 29, 1916. Italy occupied

8239-480: The help of the Frashëri brothers, the Secret Committee set up the first Albanian school. In the late Ottoman period, inhabitants from Korçë and surrounding areas emigrated abroad for economic opportunities, often by the Orthodox community who mainly as qualified craftsmen went to Romania, Greece and Bulgaria while Muslims went to Istanbul performing mainly menial labour work. Late nineteenth century Albanian migration to

8346-473: The institutions established by Ilias Bey. The Christian population inhabited Varosh, which was subdivided in Varosh i Sipërm (Upper Varosh) and Varosh i Poshtëm (Lower Varosh). Varosh i Sipërm was further subdivided into the smaller neighborhoods of Mano, Barç, Jeni-Mahallë, Qiro, Penço, Manço, Manto and Kala, while Varosh i Poshtëm consisted only of Katavarosh, which was known also as "Lagja e Shën Mërisë", named after

8453-511: The late 1870s promoting Albanian cultural development set up an Albanian secondary school for boys. The founding in 1884 of the boy's secondary school is regarded as the first Albanian school in Korçë and established in 1887 by the Drita (English: the Light ) organization and funded by notable local individuals. Its first director was Pandeli Sotiri . Naim Frashëri , the national poet of Albania played

8560-533: The local French forces after the city of Korçë fell under their control during World War I , and which lasted until 1920. Due to developments in the Macedonian Front of World War I the city of Korçë came under French control (1916–20). During this time 14 representatives of Korçë and French Colonel Descoins signed a protocol that proclaimed the Autonomous Albanian Province of Korçë under

8667-527: The meantime, Albanian irregular bands, headed by Butka and cooperating with the Austrian forces, sacked Moscopole , and threatened that Korçë would suffer the same fate if it did not raise the Albanian flag and surrender to Albanian authorities. Colonel Descoins made arrangements with the leading Albanian nationalists from Korçë. French officers had a meeting with Themistokli Gërmenji on November 24, 1916. Themistokli Gërmenji came to Korçë from Pogradec , which

8774-412: The military protection of the French army and with Themistokli Gërmenji as Prefect of Police . The new authorities introduced Albanian and French as the official language and replaced Greek schools with Albanian ones, which were forbidden during the Greek administration of the city. There was also a French school in Korçë and one of its many students, and later teachers, was Enver Hoxha ,

8881-522: The period of the National Schism (1916) in Greece, a local revolt broke out, and with military and local support Korçë came under the control of Eleftherios Venizelos ' Movement of National Defence , overthrowing the royalist forces. However, due to developments in the Macedonian Front of World War I the city came soon under French control (1916–1920). The French initially awarded control of Korçë and

8988-453: The police force and gendarmerie , a post office system and issued postage stamps. On September 27, 1917, General Maurice Sarrail proclaimed a new statute which repealed constitutional protocol. The Administration was entrusted to the commander of the army group Malik. The Administrative Council was replaced with an Advisory Council which was reduced to 12 members (still half Muslims and half Christians). Territory under French administration

9095-409: The port of Vlorë and the region of south Principality of Albania in December 1914 and in the autumn 1916. Southern Albania is a region with substantial Albanian (both Muslim and Orthodox), Aromanian and Greek communities. The Greek national view was to classify all Aromanians and Orthodox Albanians as part of the Greek minority. The Great Powers signed the Protocol of Florence and awarded

9202-425: The re-entry of Greece into the war, made concessions to Greek interests including the reopening of Greek schools, but the Albanians were assured that this did not threaten their independence. The Autonomous Albanian Republic of Korçë remained a reality on the ground, continuing to rule its territory and fly its flag, while inter-religious cooperation was also maintained with both Muslims and Christians being grateful to

9309-473: The region to the newly founded Principality of Albania on December 17, 1913. To avert the possibility of Albania taking control of the region as Greek forces were withdrawn, pro-Greek Epirotes decided to declare their own separate political identity. On February 28, 1914, the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus was declared in Gjirokastër and a provisional government was formed. The Protocol of Corfu

9416-551: The request of Greek clergy with the school being closed down, vandalised and wrecked. Albanian efforts for an Albanian school are represented in Greek sources as a failure due to weak demand and limited funding, but Palairet notes that Greek interference undermined the school. In the late 1880s Gjerasim Qiriazi began his Protestant mission in the city. He and fellow members of the Qiriazi family established Albanian speaking institutions in Korçë, with his sister Sevasti Qiriazi founding

9523-561: The rest of the country. During the Greco-Italian War it became the main forward base of the Italian air force. Nevertheless, the city came under the control of the advancing Greek forces, on 22 November 1940, during the first phase of the Greek counter-offensive. Korçë remained under Greek control until the German invasion of Greece in April 1941. After Italy's withdrawal from the war in 1943,

9630-561: The school joined the youth ranks of the Communist Party of Albania . Following this activity, the fascist regime closed the school. As a result of this decision, which many students found unjust, 150 of them joined the ranks of the Albanian liberation movement after a meeting in Voskopoje . Overall, 384 students of the school joined the liberation movement, out of which 54 died while fighting

9737-415: The settlement of Muslim inhabitants in an area that was recently abandoned by the original Christian inhabitants. The new town must have been dominated initially by the old castle of Mborje . Throughout the 15th century and the beginning of the 16th century the castle was maintained by the Ottomans. The Tapu Defter of 1519 records a cemaat of Christian müsellems in the castle. According to this document

9844-597: The side of the Central Powers in autumn 1915, many ethnic Albanians joined the Bulgarians who gave them weapons. The Kingdom of Bulgaria used its army to occupy the eastern part of Albania at the beginning of the occupation of Albania . After the occupation of the eastern parts of Albania, inclusive of the city of Elbasan, on August 18, 1916, the Bulgarian army , probably attempting to join Austrian forces in Albania and in

9951-575: The situation and pre-determine the region's future by incorporating it formally within the Greek state. In the first months of 1916, Northern Epirus participated in the Greek elections and elected 16 representatives for the Greek Parliament. In March, the region's union with Greece was officially declared, and the area was divided into the prefectures of Argyrokastro and Korytsa. After the beginning of Bulgaria's engagement in First World War on

10058-532: The strategy of Albanian national affirmation. On the other hand, all the Greek schools were forced to close down, while the Greek element of the city was persecuted. The Albanian National Lyceum (French: Le lycée de Korça , Albanian : Liceu Kombëtar i Korçës ) high school in Korçë was established in 1917. French authorities claim that they banned opening of the high school because they did not want to offend their Greek allies led by Eleftherios Venizelos ' Movement of National Defence , who claimed rights over

10165-436: The surrounding area to Greek allies, but Albanian çeta guerilla bands led by Themistokli Gërmenji and Sali Butka fought against Venizelist forces for Albanian self-administration. In response to the French administration supporting the Greek demands of Eleftherios Venizelos for the partition of southern Albania, Sali Butka - accompanied by Themistokli Gërmenji's small armed band - led 1,500 men towards Korçë and surrounded

10272-403: The village of Mborje ( Emboryo ), which depended on Korçë ( Görice ), numbered 88 households of Christians and 18 households of Muslims. Korça was divided into two great neighborhoods: Varosh and Kasaba. In the 16th century Muslims constituted the 21% of the population of the town and inhabited Kasaba, which was subdivided into the smaller neighborhoods of Çarshi, Ratak, Qoshk and Dere, including

10379-400: Was "entirely Albanian; the numbers of Greeks being insignificant" and continued that "there are, however, amongst the population two parties, — one nationalist and the other Grecophile" Sederholm also stated that the Orthodox inhabitants of Korçë abstained from the elections, and criticized the Albanian government for drawing electoral districts in such a way so as to practically disenfranchise

10486-509: Was a constant demand for the reopening a Greek school. After the collapse of the Socialist Republic, part of the local communities expressed a growing need to revive their cultural past, in particular with the reopening of Greek language institutions. In April 2005 the first bilingual Greek-Albanian school opened in Korçë after 60 years of prohibition of Greek education. In addition, a total of 17 Greek language tutoring centres function in

10593-490: Was a powerful Albanian leader. The severity of this decision seems to indicate that the French military authorities favored the movement of Eleftherios Venizelos and their Greek allies who entered the war alongside the Entente on 12 June 1917, and were against the Albanian national movement led by Gërmenji. In response to the French turning on the Albanians and the subsequent execution of Themistokli Gërmenji, Sali Butka gathered

10700-657: Was destroyed during the Greek War of Independence but it reopened in 1830. In 1857 a Greek school for girls was operating in the city. During the 19th century various local benefactors such as Ioannis Pangas and Anastas Avramidhi-Lakçe donated money for the promotion of Greek education and culture in Korçë, such as the Bangas Gymnasium . Greek education was also financed by members of the diaspora in Egypt. Similarly, kindergartens, boarding and urban schools, were also operating in

10807-460: Was divided on two parts, north (Pogradec) and south (Republic of Korçë) of Devolli. On December 10, 1916, Henry Descoins, the commander of the French garrison of Korçë, with the approval of Maurice Sarrail, declared the Autonomous Albanian Republic of Korçë, and appointed Themistokli Gërmenji as prefect . In the following period the Greeks of the city were persecuted by the Albanian nationalist elements that aimed at acquiring control over Korçë. As

10914-524: Was initially part of the Metropolis of Kastoria (15th century), but in the early 17th century became the seat of an Orthodox bishop and in 1670 was elevated to metropolitan bishopric . The city remained entirely Christian until the first half of the 16th century. The Orthodox Cathedral of Saint George, a significant landmark in the city, was demolished by the authorities of the People's Republic of Albania during

11021-469: Was later attached to Piskopiye, which was a separate community, and as suggested by its name, a bishop's residence. Ilias Bey founded his works of charity in Piskopiye, building a mosque , an imaret and a muallim-hane and a hammam . Built between 1484 and 1495, the mosque, named after him , represents one of the most important examples of Islamic architecture of Albania and its second oldest mosque after

11128-569: Was occupied by the armies of Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria . The French officers appointed a commission led by Gërmenji. The commission had fourteen members, seven Christians and seven Muslims. The members of this commission were: Rafail Adhami, Kostandin Nocka, Nikolla Vangjeli, Vasil Singjeli, Vasil Kondi, Llambro Mborja, Thimi Cale, Shaqir Shabani, Tefik Rushiti, Hysen Dishnica, Emin Rakipi, Qani Dishnica, Sali Babani and Haki Shemshedini. The commission held

11235-436: Was reduced due to Greek schools, the first one being founded in the city at 1724. Subsequently, Muslim Albanian revolutionary intellectuals from the city emerged in the 1840s that wanted to preserve a Muslim Albania within a reformed Ottoman state. Due to increasing Hellenisation by the 1870s, those sentiments became replaced with the concept of an Albanian nation based on linguistic and cultural factors through struggle against

11342-546: Was signed on May 17, 1914, and the Albanian government officially recognized the area of Northern Epirus as an autonomous region within the Albanian state. Soon after the outbreak of World War I (July 1914), the situation in Albania became unstable and political chaos ensued. As the country split into a number of regional governments, Prince William departed the country in September 1914. On October 27, 1914, after approval from

11449-439: Was the currency of the Autonomous Albanian Republic of Korçë between 1917 and 1921. It was subdivided into 100 centimes . The currency was introduced during the period of French occupation. It was only issued in paper money form, with notes issued in denominations of 50 centimes, 1 and 5 frange. Both paper money and post stamps were engraved by the soldier Davier (a student of Louis-Oscar Roty ). In terms of infrastructure,

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