Gjirokastër
Gjirokastër is a town and a municipality in southern Albania. Lying in the historical region of Epirus, it is the capital of Gjirokastër County. Its old town is inscribed on the World Heritage List as "a rare example of a well-preserved Ottoman town, built by farmers of large estate." Gjirokastër is situated in a valley between the Gjerë mountains and the Drino River, at 300 m (984 ft) above sea level. The city is overlooked by the Gjirokastër Castle where Gjirokaster National Folklore Festival is held every five years. Gjirokastër is the birthplace of former Albanian communist leader Enver Hoxha and notable writer Ismail Kadare. It hosts the Eqerem Çabej University.
The present municipality was formed at the 2015 local government reform by the merger of the former municipalities Antigonë, Cepo, Gjirokastër, Lazarat, Lunxhëri, Odrie and Picar, that became municipal units. The seat of the municipality is the town Gjirokastër.[1] The total population is 25,301 (2011 census), in a total area of 469.25 km2.[2] The population of the former municipality at the 2011 census was 19,836.[3]
The city appears in the historical record in 1336 by its Greek name, Argyrokastro (Αργυρόκαστρο),[4] as part of the Byzantine Empire.[5] It later became the center of the local principality under the Albanian lord, Gjon Zenebishi (1373-1417), before falling under Ottoman Empire rule for the next five centuries.[5] Taken by the Greek Army during the Balkan Wars on account of its large Greek population,[6] it was eventually incorporated into the newly independent state of Albania in 1913. This proved highly unpopular with the local Greek population, who rebelled and after several months of guerilla warfare established the short-lived Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus with Gjirokaster as its capital in 1914. It was definitively awarded to Albania in 1921.[7] In more recent years, the city witnessed anti-government protests that lead to major political instability in Albania (1997).[8]
Alongside Albanians, the city is home to a substantial Greek minority.[9] Gjirokastër, together with Saranda, is considered one of the centers of the Greek community in Albania,[10] and there is a Greek consulate in town.[11]
The present municipality was formed at the 2015 local government reform by the merger of the former municipalities Antigonë, Cepo, Gjirokastër, Lazarat, Lunxhëri, Odrie and Picar, that became municipal units. The seat of the municipality is the town Gjirokastër.[1] The total population is 25,301 (2011 census), in a total area of 469.25 km2.[2] The population of the former municipality at the 2011 census was 19,836.[3]
The city appears in the historical record in 1336 by its Greek name, Argyrokastro (Αργυρόκαστρο),[4] as part of the Byzantine Empire.[5] It later became the center of the local principality under the Albanian lord, Gjon Zenebishi (1373-1417), before falling under Ottoman Empire rule for the next five centuries.[5] Taken by the Greek Army during the Balkan Wars on account of its large Greek population,[6] it was eventually incorporated into the newly independent state of Albania in 1913. This proved highly unpopular with the local Greek population, who rebelled and after several months of guerilla warfare established the short-lived Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus with Gjirokaster as its capital in 1914. It was definitively awarded to Albania in 1921.[7] In more recent years, the city witnessed anti-government protests that lead to major political instability in Albania (1997).[8]
Alongside Albanians, the city is home to a substantial Greek minority.[9] Gjirokastër, together with Saranda, is considered one of the centers of the Greek community in Albania,[10] and there is a Greek consulate in town.[11]
The city appeared for the first time in historical records under its medieval Greek name of Argyrocastron (Greek: Αργυρόκαστρον), as mentioned by John VI Kantakouzenos in 1336.[12] The name comes from the Medieval Greek ἀργυρόν (argyron), meaning "silver", and κάστρον (kastron), from the Latin castrum meaning "castle" or "fortress", thus "silver castle". The theory that the city took the name of the Princess Argjiro, a legendary figure about whom Ismail Kadare wrote a poem in the 1960s, is considered a folk etymology, since the princess is said to have lived later, in the 15th century.[13]
The definite Albanian form of the name of city is Gjirokastra, while in the Gheg Albanian dialect it is known as Gjinokastër, both of which derive from the Greek name.[14] Alternative spellings found in Western sources are Girokaster and Girokastra. InAromanian the city is known as Ljurocastru, while in modern Greek it is known Αργυρόκαστρο (Argyrokastro). During the Ottoman era the town was known in Turkish as Ergiri.
The definite Albanian form of the name of city is Gjirokastra, while in the Gheg Albanian dialect it is known as Gjinokastër, both of which derive from the Greek name.[14] Alternative spellings found in Western sources are Girokaster and Girokastra. InAromanian the city is known as Ljurocastru, while in modern Greek it is known Αργυρόκαστρο (Argyrokastro). During the Ottoman era the town was known in Turkish as Ergiri.
History
Archaeologists have found pottery objects of the early Iron Age in Gjirokastër, which first appeared in the late Bronze Age in Pazhok, Elbasan District, and are found throughout Albania.[15] The earliest recorded inhabitants of the area around Gjirokastër were the Greek tribe of the Chaonians.
Melani Tekke
The city's walls date from the 3rd century AD. The high stone walls of the Citadel were built from the 6th to the 12th century.[16] During this period, Gjirokastër developed into a major commercial center known as Argyropolis (Ancient Greek:Ἀργυρόπολις, meaning "Silver City") or Argyrokastron (Ancient Greek: Ἀργυρόκαστρον, meaning "Silver Castle").[17]
The city was part of the Byzantine Despotate of Epirus, and it was first mentioned, by the name of Argyrokastro, by the Byzantine Emperor John VI Kantakouzenos in 1336.[4] During 1386–1418 it became the capital of the Principality of Gjirokastërunder Gjon Zenebishi. In 1417 it became part of the Ottoman Empire and in 1419 it became the county town of the Sanjak of Albania.[18] During the Albanian Revolt of 1432-1436 it was besieged by forces under Depë Zenebishi, but the rebels were defeated by Ottoman troops led by Turahan Bey[19]
According to Turkish traveller Evliya Çelebi, who visited the city in 1670, at that time there were 200 houses within the castle, 200 in the Christian eastern neighborhood of Kyçyk Varosh (meaning small neighborhood outside the castle), 150 houses in the Byjyk Varosh (meaning big neighborhood outside the castle), and six additional neighborhoods: Palorto, Vutosh, Dunavat, Manalat, Haxhi Bey, and Memi Bey, extending on eight hills around the castle.[20] According to the traveller, the city had at that time around 2000 houses, eight mosques, three churches, 280 shops, five fountains, and five inns.[20]
In 1811, Gjirokastër became part of the Pashalik of Yanina, then led by the Albanian-born Ali Pasha, and was transformed into a semi-autonomous fiefdom in the southwestern Balkans until his death in 1822. After the fall of the pashalik in 1868, the city was the capital of the sandjak of Ergiri (the Turkish name for Gjirokastër). On 23 July 1880, southern Albanian committees of the League of Prizren held a congress in the city, in which was decided that if Albanian-populated areas of the Ottoman Empire were ceded to neighbouring countries, they would revolt.[21] During the Albanian National Awakening (1831–1912), the city was a major centre of the movement, and some groups in the city were reported to carry portraits ofSkanderbeg, the national hero of the Albanians during this period.[22]
Given its large Greek population, the city was claimed and taken by Greece during the First Balkan War of 1912–1913, following the retreat of the Ottomans from the region.[23] However, it was awarded to Albania under the terms of the Treaty of London of 1913 and the Protocol of Florence of 17 December 1913.[24]
The official declaration of the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus (1 March 1914). The River Drino is in the background.
This turn of events proved highly unpopular with the local Greek population, and their representatives under Georgios Christakis-Zografos formed the Panepirotic Assembly in Gjirokastër in protest.[25] The Assembly, short of incorporation with Greece, demanded either local autonomy or an international occupation by forces of the Great Powers for the districts of Gjirokastër, Saranda, and Korçë.[26] In March 1914, the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus was declared in Gjirokastër and was confirmed by the Great Powers with the Protocol of Corfu.[27] The Republic, however, was short-lived, as Albania collapsed at the beginning of the First World War.[28] The Greek military returned in October–November 1914, and again captured Gjirokastër, along with Saranda and Korçë.[29] In April 1916, the territory referred to by Greeks as Northern Epirus, including Gjirokastër, was annexed to Greece.[29] The Paris Peace Conference of 1919 restored the pre-war status quo, essentially upholding the border line decided in the 1913 Protocol of Florence, and the city was again returned to Albanian control.[30]
In April 1939, Gjirokastër was occupied by Italy following the Italian invasion of Albania. In December 8, 1940, during the Greco-Italian War, the Greek Army entered the city and stayed for a five-month period before capitulating to the Germans in April 1941 and returning the city to Italian command. After Italy's capitulation in September 1943, the city was taken by German forces, and eventually returned to Albanian control in 1944.
The postwar Communist regime developed the city as an industrial and commercial centre. It was elevated to the status of a museum town,[31] as it was the birthplace of the Communist leader of Albania, Enver Hoxha, who had been born there in 1908. His house was converted into a museum.[32]
Gjirokastër suffered severe economic problems following the end of communist rule in 1991. In the spring of 1993, the region of Gjirokastër became a center of open conflict between Greek minority members and the Albanian police.[33] The city was particularly affected by the 1997 collapse of a massive pyramid scheme which destabilised the entire Albanian economy.[8] The city became the focus of a rebellion against the government of Sali Berisha; violent anti-government protests took place which eventually forced Berisha's resignation. On 16 December 1997, Hoxha's house was damaged by unknown attackers, but subsequently restored.[34]
Melani Tekke
The city's walls date from the 3rd century AD. The high stone walls of the Citadel were built from the 6th to the 12th century.[16] During this period, Gjirokastër developed into a major commercial center known as Argyropolis (Ancient Greek:Ἀργυρόπολις, meaning "Silver City") or Argyrokastron (Ancient Greek: Ἀργυρόκαστρον, meaning "Silver Castle").[17]
The city was part of the Byzantine Despotate of Epirus, and it was first mentioned, by the name of Argyrokastro, by the Byzantine Emperor John VI Kantakouzenos in 1336.[4] During 1386–1418 it became the capital of the Principality of Gjirokastërunder Gjon Zenebishi. In 1417 it became part of the Ottoman Empire and in 1419 it became the county town of the Sanjak of Albania.[18] During the Albanian Revolt of 1432-1436 it was besieged by forces under Depë Zenebishi, but the rebels were defeated by Ottoman troops led by Turahan Bey[19]
According to Turkish traveller Evliya Çelebi, who visited the city in 1670, at that time there were 200 houses within the castle, 200 in the Christian eastern neighborhood of Kyçyk Varosh (meaning small neighborhood outside the castle), 150 houses in the Byjyk Varosh (meaning big neighborhood outside the castle), and six additional neighborhoods: Palorto, Vutosh, Dunavat, Manalat, Haxhi Bey, and Memi Bey, extending on eight hills around the castle.[20] According to the traveller, the city had at that time around 2000 houses, eight mosques, three churches, 280 shops, five fountains, and five inns.[20]
In 1811, Gjirokastër became part of the Pashalik of Yanina, then led by the Albanian-born Ali Pasha, and was transformed into a semi-autonomous fiefdom in the southwestern Balkans until his death in 1822. After the fall of the pashalik in 1868, the city was the capital of the sandjak of Ergiri (the Turkish name for Gjirokastër). On 23 July 1880, southern Albanian committees of the League of Prizren held a congress in the city, in which was decided that if Albanian-populated areas of the Ottoman Empire were ceded to neighbouring countries, they would revolt.[21] During the Albanian National Awakening (1831–1912), the city was a major centre of the movement, and some groups in the city were reported to carry portraits ofSkanderbeg, the national hero of the Albanians during this period.[22]
Given its large Greek population, the city was claimed and taken by Greece during the First Balkan War of 1912–1913, following the retreat of the Ottomans from the region.[23] However, it was awarded to Albania under the terms of the Treaty of London of 1913 and the Protocol of Florence of 17 December 1913.[24]
The official declaration of the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus (1 March 1914). The River Drino is in the background.
This turn of events proved highly unpopular with the local Greek population, and their representatives under Georgios Christakis-Zografos formed the Panepirotic Assembly in Gjirokastër in protest.[25] The Assembly, short of incorporation with Greece, demanded either local autonomy or an international occupation by forces of the Great Powers for the districts of Gjirokastër, Saranda, and Korçë.[26] In March 1914, the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus was declared in Gjirokastër and was confirmed by the Great Powers with the Protocol of Corfu.[27] The Republic, however, was short-lived, as Albania collapsed at the beginning of the First World War.[28] The Greek military returned in October–November 1914, and again captured Gjirokastër, along with Saranda and Korçë.[29] In April 1916, the territory referred to by Greeks as Northern Epirus, including Gjirokastër, was annexed to Greece.[29] The Paris Peace Conference of 1919 restored the pre-war status quo, essentially upholding the border line decided in the 1913 Protocol of Florence, and the city was again returned to Albanian control.[30]
In April 1939, Gjirokastër was occupied by Italy following the Italian invasion of Albania. In December 8, 1940, during the Greco-Italian War, the Greek Army entered the city and stayed for a five-month period before capitulating to the Germans in April 1941 and returning the city to Italian command. After Italy's capitulation in September 1943, the city was taken by German forces, and eventually returned to Albanian control in 1944.
The postwar Communist regime developed the city as an industrial and commercial centre. It was elevated to the status of a museum town,[31] as it was the birthplace of the Communist leader of Albania, Enver Hoxha, who had been born there in 1908. His house was converted into a museum.[32]
Gjirokastër suffered severe economic problems following the end of communist rule in 1991. In the spring of 1993, the region of Gjirokastër became a center of open conflict between Greek minority members and the Albanian police.[33] The city was particularly affected by the 1997 collapse of a massive pyramid scheme which destabilised the entire Albanian economy.[8] The city became the focus of a rebellion against the government of Sali Berisha; violent anti-government protests took place which eventually forced Berisha's resignation. On 16 December 1997, Hoxha's house was damaged by unknown attackers, but subsequently restored.[34]
Culture
In 1925, Albania became the world center of Bektashism, a Muslim sect. The sect was headquartered in Tirana, and Gjirokastër was one of six districts of the Bektashism in Albania, with its center at the tekke ofAsim Baba.[35] The city retains a large Bektashi and Sunni Muslim population. Historically there were 15 and tekkes and mosques, of which 13 were functional in 1945.[36] Only Gjirokastër Mosque has survived; the remaining 12 were destroyed or closed during the Cultural Revolution of the communist government in 1967.[36]
The city is home to an Eastern Orthodox diocese, part of the Orthodox Church of Albania.[37]
17th-century Ottoman traveller Evliya Çelebi, who visited the city in 1670, described the city in detail. One Sunday, Çelebi heard the sound of a vajtim, the traditional Albanian lament for the dead, performed by a professional mourner. The traveller found the city so noisy that he dubbed Gjirokastër the "city of wailing".[38]
Gjirokaster Castle Walls
The novel Chronicle in Stone by Albanian writer Ismail Kadare tells the history of this city during the Italian and Greek occupation in World War I and II, and expands on the customs of the people of Gjirokastër. At the age of twenty-four, Albanian writer Musine Kokalari wrote an 80-page collection of ten youthful prose tales in her native Gjirokastrian dialect: As my old mother tells me (Albanian: Siç me thotë nënua plakë), Tirana, 1941. The book tells the day-by-day struggles of women of Gjirokastër, and describes the prevailing mores of the region.[39]
Gjirokastër, home to both Albanian and Greek polyphonic singing, is also home to the National Folklore Festival (Albanian: Festivali Folklorik Kombëtar) that is held every five years. The festival started in 1968[40] and was most recently held in 2009, its ninth season.[41] The festival takes place on the premises of Gjirokaster Castle. Gjirokaster is also where the Greek language newspaper Laiko Vima is published. Founded in 1945, it was the only Greek-language printed media allowed during the Socialist People's Republic of Albania.[42]
The city is home to an Eastern Orthodox diocese, part of the Orthodox Church of Albania.[37]
17th-century Ottoman traveller Evliya Çelebi, who visited the city in 1670, described the city in detail. One Sunday, Çelebi heard the sound of a vajtim, the traditional Albanian lament for the dead, performed by a professional mourner. The traveller found the city so noisy that he dubbed Gjirokastër the "city of wailing".[38]
Gjirokaster Castle Walls
The novel Chronicle in Stone by Albanian writer Ismail Kadare tells the history of this city during the Italian and Greek occupation in World War I and II, and expands on the customs of the people of Gjirokastër. At the age of twenty-four, Albanian writer Musine Kokalari wrote an 80-page collection of ten youthful prose tales in her native Gjirokastrian dialect: As my old mother tells me (Albanian: Siç me thotë nënua plakë), Tirana, 1941. The book tells the day-by-day struggles of women of Gjirokastër, and describes the prevailing mores of the region.[39]
Gjirokastër, home to both Albanian and Greek polyphonic singing, is also home to the National Folklore Festival (Albanian: Festivali Folklorik Kombëtar) that is held every five years. The festival started in 1968[40] and was most recently held in 2009, its ninth season.[41] The festival takes place on the premises of Gjirokaster Castle. Gjirokaster is also where the Greek language newspaper Laiko Vima is published. Founded in 1945, it was the only Greek-language printed media allowed during the Socialist People's Republic of Albania.[42]
Economy
Gjirokastër is principally a commercial center with some industries, notably the production of foodstuffs, leather, and textiles.[43] Recently a regional agricultural market that trades locally produced groceries has been built in the city.[44] Given the potential of southern Albania to supply organically-grown products, and its relationship with Greek counterparts of the nearby city of Ioannina, it is likely that the market will dedicate itself to organic food in the future. However, currently trademarking and marketing of such products are far from European standards.[44] The Chamber of Commerce of the city, created in 1988, promotes trade with the Greek border areas.[45] As part of the financial support from Greece to Albania, the Greek Armed Forces built a hospital in the city.[46]
In recent years, many traditional houses are being reconstructed and owners lured to come back, thus revitalizing tourism as a potential revenue source for the local economy.[47][48] However, some houses continue to degrade from lack of investment, abandonment or inappropriate renovations as local craftsmen are not part of these projects.[49] In 2010, following the Greek economic crisis, the city was one of the first areas in Albania to suffer, since many Albanian emigrants in Greece are becoming unemployed and thus are returning home.[50]
In recent years, many traditional houses are being reconstructed and owners lured to come back, thus revitalizing tourism as a potential revenue source for the local economy.[47][48] However, some houses continue to degrade from lack of investment, abandonment or inappropriate renovations as local craftsmen are not part of these projects.[49] In 2010, following the Greek economic crisis, the city was one of the first areas in Albania to suffer, since many Albanian emigrants in Greece are becoming unemployed and thus are returning home.[50]
Education
The first school in the city, a Greek language school, was erected in the city in 1663. It was sponsored by local merchants and functioned under the supervision of the local bishop. In 1821, when the Greek War of Independence broke out, it was destroyed, but it was reopened in 1830.[51][52] In 1727 a madrasah started to function in the city, and it worked uninterruptedly for 240 years until 1967, when it was closed due to the Cultural Revolution applied in communist Albania.[36] In 1861–1862 a Greek language school for girls was founded, financially supported by the local Greek benefactor Christakis Zografos.[53] The first Albanian school in Gjirokastër was opened in 1886.[54] Today Gjirokastër has seven grammar schools, two general high schools (of which one is the Gjirokastër Gymnasium), and two professional ones.
The city is home to the Eqerem Çabej University, which opened its doors in 1968. The university has recently been experiencing low enrollments, and as a result the departments of Physics, Mathematics, Biochemistry, and Kindergarten Education did not function during the 2008–2009 academic year.[55] In 2006, the establishment of a second university in Gjirokastër, a Greek-language one, was agreed upon after discussions between the Albanian and Greek governments.[56] The program had an attendance of 35 students as of 2010, but was abruptly suspended when the University of Ioannina in Greece refused to provide teachers for the 2010 school year and the Greek government and the Latsis foundation withdrew funding.[55]
The city is home to the Eqerem Çabej University, which opened its doors in 1968. The university has recently been experiencing low enrollments, and as a result the departments of Physics, Mathematics, Biochemistry, and Kindergarten Education did not function during the 2008–2009 academic year.[55] In 2006, the establishment of a second university in Gjirokastër, a Greek-language one, was agreed upon after discussions between the Albanian and Greek governments.[56] The program had an attendance of 35 students as of 2010, but was abruptly suspended when the University of Ioannina in Greece refused to provide teachers for the 2010 school year and the Greek government and the Latsis foundation withdrew funding.[55]
Sports
Football (soccer) is popular in Gjirokastër: the city hosts Luftëtari Gjirokastër, a club founded in 1929. The club has competed in international tournaments and played in the Albanian Superliga until 2006–2007. Currently the team plays in the Albanian First Division. The soccer matches are played in the Subi Bakiri Stadium, which can hold up to 8,500 spectators.[57]
Important figures
- Ali Alizoti, politician in late 19th century
- Fejzi Alizoti, interim Prime Minister of Albania in 1914
- Kyriakoulis Argyrokastritis (−1828), revolutionary of the Greek War of Independence
- Arjan Bellaj, retired soccer player and member of the Albania national football team
- Elmaz Boçe, signatory of the Albanian Declaration of Independence and politician
- Bledar Devolli, footballer
- Rauf Fico, politician
- Bashkim Fino, politician and former Prime Minister of Albania
- Georgios Dimitriou, 18th century author
- Ioannis Doukas 19th century painter
- Ramize Gjebrea World war II notable partisan
- Gregory IV of Athens, scholar and Archbishop of Athens
- Altin Haxhi, international soccer player; capped in the Albania national team
- Fatmir Haxhiu, painter
- Veli Harxhi, signatory of the Albanian Declaration of Independence and politician
- Enver Hoxha, former first Secretary of the Albanian Party of Labor, and leader of socialist Albania
- Feim Ibrahimi, composer
- Ismail Kadare, novelist, winner of the Man Booker International Prize in 2005 and Prince of Asturias Award in 2009
- Mehmed Kalakula, politician
- Xhanfize Keko movie director
- Saim Kokona, cinematographer
- Albi Kondi, football player
- Eqrem Libohova, former Prime Minister of Albania
- Sabit Lulo, politician
- Bule Naipi, World War II People's Heroine of Albania
- Omer Nishani, Head of State of Albania from 1944–1953
- Arlind Nora, footballer
- Bahri Omari, politician
- Jani Papadhopulli, signatory of the Albanian Declaration of Independence and politician
- Xhevdet Picari, commander in the Vlora War
- Pertef Pogoni, 20th century politician
- Baba Rexheb, Bektashi Sufi religious leader and saint
- Mehmet Tahsini, politician and professor
- Çerçiz Topulli, 20th-century nationalist and freedom fighter
- Bajo Topulli, brother of Çerçiz, nationalist and freedom fighter
- Takis Tsiakos, Greek poet
- Alexandros Vasileiou, merchant and Greek scholar
- Michael Vasileiou, merchant; brother of Alexandros
- Mahmud Xhelaledini, politician
- Arjan Xhumba, retired soccer player and member of the Albania national football team
Also see
References
Sources
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- Jump up^ Ference, Gregory Curtis (1994). Chronology of 20th-Century Eastern European History. Gale Research. p. 9. ISBN 978-0-8103-8879-6.
- Jump up^ Winnifrith, Tom (2002). Badlands-Borderlands: a History of Northern Epirus/Southern Albania. London: Duckworth. p. 130. ISBN 0-7156-3201-9.
- Jump up^ Bon, Nataša Gregorič (2008). "Formation of the Albanian Nation-State and the Protocol of Corfu (1914)". Contested Spaces and Negotiated Identities in Dhermi/Drimades of Himare/Himara area, Southern Albania (PDF). Nova Gorica. p. 140.
- ^ Jump up to:a b Konidaris, Gerasimos (2005). Schwandner-Sievers, Stephanie, ed. The new Albanian migrations. Sussex Academic Publishing. p. 65.ISBN 9781903900789.
- Jump up^ Nitsiakos, Vassilis; Mantzos, Constantinos (2003). "Negotiating Culture: Political Uses of Polyphonic Folk Songs in Greece and Albania". In Tziovas, Demetres.Greece and the Balkans: Identities, Perceptions and Cultural Encounters. Aldershot, England: Ashgate Publishing. p. 197. ISBN 0-7546-0998-7.
- ^ Jump up to:a b c d Petersen, Andrew (1994). Dictionary of Islamic architecture. Routledge. p. 10. ISBN 0-415-06084-2. Retrieved 2010-06-13.
- Jump up^ Murati, Violeta. "Tourism with the Dictator". Standard (in Albanian). Retrieved 19 August 2010.[dead link]
- Jump up^ Petiffer, James (2001). The Greek Minority in Albania – In the Aftermath of Communism (PDF). Surrey, UK: Conflict Studies Research Centre. p. 13. ISBN 1-903584-35-3.
- Jump up^ Lajmi (22 March 2010). "Tourism with the Communist Symbols". Gazeta Lajmi (in Albanian). Retrieved 19 August 2010.
- Jump up^ Elsie, Robert (2000). A Dictionary of Albanian Religion, Mythology, and Folk Culture. New York: New York University Press. p. 28. ISBN 978-0-8147-2214-5.
- ^ Jump up to:a b c d GCDO. "Regjimi komunist në Shqipëri" (in Albanian). Organizata për Ruajtjen dhe Zhvillimin e Gjirokastrës (GCDO). Retrieved 1 September 2010.
- Jump up^ Orthodox Church of Albania. "Building and Restorations" (in Albanian). Retrieved 15 December 2010. ... selitë e Mitropolive të Beratit, Korçës dhe Gjirokastrës...
- Jump up^ Elsie, Robert (2000). A Dictionary of Albanian Religion, Mythology, and Folk Culture. New York: New York University Press. pp. 95–96. ISBN 0-8147-2214-8. Retrieved 9 June 2010.
- Jump up^ Wilson, Katharina M. (March 1991). An Encyclopedia of Continental Women Writers 2. New York: Garland. p. 646. ISBN 0-8240-8547-7.
- Jump up^ Ahmedaja, Ardian; Haid, Gerlinde (2008). European Voices: Multipart Singing in the Balkans and the Mediterranean 1. Vienna: Böhlau. ISBN 978-3-205-78090-8.
- Jump up^ Top Channel (25 September 2009). "Gjirokaster, starton Festivali Folklorik Kombetar". Top Channel (in Albanian). Retrieved 31 August 2010.
- Jump up^ Valeria Heuberger, Arnold Suppan, Elisabeth Vyslonzil (1996). Brennpunkt Osteuropa: Minderheiten im Kreuzfeuer des Nationalismus (in German). Vienna: Oldenbourg Wissenschaftsverlag. p. 71. ISBN 978-3-486-56182-1.
- Jump up^ "Një histori e shkurtër e Gjirokastrës". Gjirokaster.org. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
- ^ Jump up to:a b Kote, Odise (16 March 2010). "Tregu rajonal në jug të Shqipërisë dhe prodhimet bio" (in Albanian). Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
- Jump up^ Taylor & Francis Group (2004). tes+trade+with+Greek+border+area#v=onepage&q=promotes%20trade%20with%20Greek%20border%20area&f=false Europa World Year, Book 1. London; New York. ISBN 978-1-85743-254-1. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
- Jump up^ Blitz, ed. by Brad K. (2006). War and change in the Balkans : nationalism, conflict and cooperation. (1. publ. ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 230. ISBN 978-0-521-67773-8.
- Jump up^ "Aga Khan Award for Architecture: Conservation of Gjirokastra". Aga Khan Development Network. Retrieved 2011-06-05.
- Jump up^ "One man's fight to preserve Albania's traditions". BBC. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
- Jump up^ Top Channel Video - Exclusive, Pjesa 1 - 30/09/2012
- Jump up^ Kote, Odise (2010-03-02). "Kriza greke zbret dhe në Shqipëri" (in Albanian). Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 2010-12-15.
- Jump up^ Sakellariou, Michaïl V (1997). Epirus: 4000 Years of Greek History and Civilization. Athens: Ekdotike Athenon. p. 308. ISBN 978-960-213-371-2.
- Jump up^ Ruches,Pyrrhus J (1965). Albania's Captives. Chicago: Argonaut. p. 33. At a time of almost universal ignorance in Greece, in 1633, it opened the doors of its first Greek school. Sponsored by Argyrocastran merchants in Venice, it was under the supervision of Metropolitan Callistus of Dryinoupolis.
- Jump up^ Sakellariou, Michaïl V (1997). Epirus: 4000 Years of Greek History and Civilization. Athens: Ekdotike Athenon. p. 308. ISBN 978-960-213-371-2.
- Jump up^ Victor Roudometof (1996). Nationalism and statecraft in southeastern Europe, 1750-1923. University of Pittsburgh. p. 568.
- ^ Jump up to:a b Μπρεγκάση Αλέξανδρος. "Πάρτε πτυχίο... Αργυροκάστρου". Ηπειρωτικός Αγών. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
- Jump up^ "Albania: Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, 2006". U.S. Department of State. 6 March 2007. Retrieved 20 December 2010.
- Jump up^ Worldstadiums. "Stadia in Albania". Retrieved 3 August 2010.
- Jump up^ Instat of Albania (2009). "Population by towns" (in Albanian). Institute of Statistics of Albania. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
- Jump up^ Abrahams, Fred. Human Rights in Post-Communist Albania. Human Rights Watch. p. 119. About 4,000 Greeks live in Gjirokastër out of a population of 30,000.
- Jump up^ Bugjazski, Janusz (2002). Political parties of Eastern Europe: a guide to politics in the post-Communist era. M.E. Sharpe. p. 682.
Sources
- "Gjirokastër". Encyclopædia Britannica, 2006
- "Gjirokastër or Gjinokastër". The Columbia Encyclopedia, 2004