Tirana, Albania – The University of New York Tirana (UNYT) hosted a significant panel discussion titled "Sami Frashëri – His Life and Work," organized by the Center for Balkan Studies at UNYT, in collaboration with the National Library / 'Sotir Kolea' Center and the Faculty of History and Philology of the University of Tirana. This event, commemorating the 120th anniversary of Sami Frashëri’s passing, gathered prominent scholars from Albania and Türkiye, as well as representatives from cultural institutions and academia.
The opening remarks were delivered by Prof. Pirro Misha, Director of the National Library of Albania, who highlighted Sami Frashëri as a symbolic figure uniting the cultural heritages of Albania and Türkiye.
Prof. Dr. Ali Güneş, Rector of UNYT, expressed his gratitude to the collaborating institutions and emphasized, “Sami Frashëri, despite his Albanian roots, made invaluable contributions to both countries. His works serve as a bridge, presenting the cultural perspectives of both nations artistically to readers across generations.”
Representing the Center for Balkan Studies, Prof. Assoc. Dr. Lindita Xhanari Latifi noted, “Sami Frashëri, known for his multifaceted roles as a linguist, lexicographer, encyclopedist, novelist, playwright, and translator, is one of the most distinguished philologists of both Albania and Türkiye. His literary contributions left a lasting impact, promoting ideals of freedom and progress.”
In addition, Prof. Dr. Cihan Özdemir, Head of the Balkan Research Centre and Coordinator of the Turkish Language & Literature program at UNYT highlighted the significance of Sami’s contributions to the fields of literature and Balkan studies, noting his role in fostering intercultural dialogue.
Prof. Dr. Şükrü Halûk Akalın shared insights on Sami Frashëri’s meticulous approach in his dictionary, noting, “Sami paid great attention to the origins of words, applying a consistent method for both Turkish and other languages. His work documented the historical forms of words and included terms from various scientific fields, making the dictionary a comprehensive linguistic resource. Sami also distinguished between words with altered forms and those considered errors in usage, presenting meanings from general to specific, including metaphorical uses.”
Prof. Dr. Shezai Rrokaj emphasized Sami’s vision on language as a core identity feature, stating, “Sami believed that language is a defining element of a nation’s identity and existence: ‘Nations stand with their languages... When a nation loses its language, it perishes and is forgotten.’ He argued that nations lacking a unified alphabet and language risk assimilation, becoming like ‘fish that devour each other, with the weakest being doomed.’”
Prof. Dr. Yüksel Topaloğlu discussed Sami’s stance on his cultural and ethnic identity, stating, “Sami’s approach to his dual identity—both Turkish and Albanian—is a crucial and intriguing subject. We aim to analyze this through his works, which bear his distinctive signature and provide a window into his perspective.”
Dr. Kastriot Gjika provided a deeper literary analysis, highlighting that “While his works reflect a romantic spirit and a preference for melodramatic elements, Sami’s theater pieces are celebrated for their strong character portrayals and dramatic organization. His plays hold an important place in both Albanian and Turkish literature, creating a vital intellectual link between the two cultures.”
The event concluded with remarks from Edlira Macaj, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of History and Philology at the University of Tirana, who commended the insightful discussions and the collaboration between institutions.
The panel discussion, held at the Sotir Kolea Center of the National Library of Albania, attracted a large audience of researchers, students, and representatives from Albanian and Turkish institutions. It provided a platform for in-depth exploration of Sami Frashëri’s life, literary contributions, and enduring legacy as an ideologist of the Albanian National Renaissance.
UNYT expresses its gratitude to all participants and partners for their support in celebrating the extraordinary legacy of Sami Frashëri, a figure whose work continues to inspire and connect cultures across the region.
