Naim Bej Frashëri, known to generations simply as Naim Frashëri, was born on May 25, 1846, in Frashër (present-day Përmet District) and died on October 20, 1900, in Istanbul. He remains one of the most revered figures in Albanian history—not only as the greatest poet of the Albanian National Renaissance (Rilindja Kombëtare) but also as a distinguished intellectual of the Ottoman Empire, a civil servant, educator, translator, and a fervent advocate for Albanian national identity and education.
An Intellectual Bridge Between East and West
Raised in a family of Ottoman notables, Naim was the fourth child of Halit Bej Frashëri and Emine Hanëm Myteveliu. He received his early education in his hometown, studying Ottoman Turkish, Arabic, and Persian at the local Bektashi tekke. After the death of his parents, the family relocated to Ioannina, where Naim, alongside his brothers Abdyl and Sami, completed his secondary education at the prestigious Greek-language Zosimea Gymnasium. There, he delved into Western philosophy and classical literature, gaining fluency in Greek, Latin, and French, while continuing his Eastern studies privately. This dual cultural foundation became a hallmark of his intellectual work, blending Sufi mysticism with Enlightenment rationalism.
A National Poet in the Ottoman Court
Despite holding high-ranking positions within the Ottoman administration, including Deputy Minister of Education, Naim never abandoned his national mission. He used his influence to support Albanian causes, notably securing permission for the first Albanian-language school in Korçë in 1887, and facilitating the publication of Kristoforidhi’s grammar books.
He was an active member of the Central Committee for the Defense of Albanian National Rights and the Society for the Publication of Albanian Letters. His work was published in secret due to Ottoman censorship, with many of his writings appearing in Bucharest and Sofia. To avoid persecution, he often signed his works with the initials N.H., N.H.F., or N.F.
Literary Contributions and Cultural Legacy
Naim Frashëri authored 22 works in four languages—Ottoman Turkish, Persian, Greek, and Albanian—ranging from poetry and prose to scientific texts and language primers. His 1886 poem Bagëti e Bujqësia is celebrated as a masterpiece of Albanian literature, a heartfelt ode to the pastoral life and the Albanian landscape. His writings are imbued with patriotic themes, emphasizing national pride, the glory of the Albanian past, and the longing for freedom.
He is also credited with publishing the first selective translation of the Qur’an into Albanian, in his educational book Mësimet, under the section Thelb’i Kuranit. His works Fletore e Bektashinjvet and Qerbelaja were the first Bektashi texts in the Albanian language, reflecting his deep connection with Islamic mysticism.
Naim also ventured into translation and adaptation. In 1886, he translated parts of Homer’s Iliad into Ottoman Turkish, marking the first such translation, and later published an Albanian version in Bucharest.
From Frashër to Eternal Rest
Naim’s life was marked by personal hardship, including the early deaths of his parents and siblings, chronic illness, and the burden of national struggle. Despite this, he remained devoted to his mission. He spent his final years in Istanbul, where he continued to work for the Albanian cause until his death in 1900. He was buried next to his brother Abdyl at the Merdivenköy Bektashi Tekke.
In 1937, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Albanian independence, his remains were repatriated to Albania and laid to rest in the Bektashi Tekke in Tirana. His memory was honored by both the state and the people, and he remains enshrined in national consciousness as “the apostle of Albanianism” and “the nightingale of the Albanian language.”
The Founding Father of Albanian Literature
Naim Frashëri’s legacy is one of a bridge-builder—between East and West, religion and nation, tradition and modernity. Through his work, he laid the groundwork for modern Albanian literature and helped awaken a national consciousness that would fuel the Albanian independence movement.
He remains a timeless figure not only in Albanian letters but in the broader context of cultural and intellectual resistance in the face of imperial suppression. His verses continue to inspire pride, unity, and a love for the homeland among Albanians across the world.