On June 10, 1878, in the city of Prizren, a monumental event in Albanian history took place—the convening of the Assembly of Prizren, which declared the formation of the League of Prizren. This marked the beginning of the first major Albanian national movement organized administratively, politically, and militarily since the era of Skanderbeg.
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| The Albanian League of Prizren, the first pan-Albanian political organization, was held on June 10, 1878. |
The Assembly was led by Iljaz Pasha Dibra, while the League’s political program was crafted by some of the most prominent ideologues of the Albanian National Renaissance, including Sami Frashëri, Pashko Vasa, Abdyl Frashëri, Jani Vreto, Zija Prishtina, and others. These visionaries laid the groundwork for Albanian national consciousness and unity.
A National Organization with Clear Objectives
The League of Prizren emerged as the first national political and military organization representing all Albanians. It was tasked with three main objectives:
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To oppose the partition of Albanian-inhabited territories as foreseen in the Treaty of San Stefano and discussed at the Congress of Berlin.
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To unite all Albanian lands into a single administrative unit—a Vilayet of Albania—within the framework of the Ottoman Empire.
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To demonstrate to Europe and the world that Albanians were a distinct nation in the Balkans, regardless of religious differences.
A National Committee was established, taking on the role of a provisional government. This committee consisted of three commissions:
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Foreign Affairs, led by Abdyl Frashëri
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Internal Affairs, overseen by Shaban Prizreni
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Finance, managed by Sulejman Vokshi
Despite delays and external interference, the Assembly officially began on June 10, 1878, welcoming over 110 delegates. Two main ideological currents emerged: one advocating for national unity and independence, and the other—aligned with Ottoman interests—seeking to maintain ties with the Sublime Porte even if autonomy was granted.
One of the most memorable speeches came from Abdyl Frashëri, who declared:
“The purpose of this Assembly is to stop the ruthless enemies in their tracks, by binding ourselves in Albanian unity and pledging with blood to defend the lands handed down to us by our ancestors.”
The League Takes Action
The League’s first official acts included:
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A petition to the Congress of Berlin, and
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Another to the Ottoman Empire, stating clearly that no part of Albania’s lands could be ceded, a declaration supported by dozens of Albanian patriots’ signatures.
To reinforce its decisions, the National Committee established regional subcommittees across the most threatened territories. These played critical roles:
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In Janina, Abedin Pasha Dino, a high-ranking Ottoman official and Albanian patriot, used diplomatic skill to prevent the annexation of Çamëria by Greece.
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In Shkodra, volunteer troops led by Ali Pasha Gucia and Hodo Bey Sokoli inflicted heavy losses on Montenegrin forces commanded by Marko Miljanov, successfully defending Plava, Gucia, Hoti, and Gruda.
Legacy and International Impact
The League of Prizren’s actions resonated across Europe, drawing the attention of the Great Powers and affirming the determination of the Albanian people to defend their land and assert their national identity. Though initially framed within the Ottoman structure, the League set in motion a national awakening that would ultimately lead to the independence of Albania in 1912.
The Assembly of Prizren remains a cornerstone of Albanian history—a moment when Albanians from all regions and faiths united for a common cause: the protection of their homeland and the assertion of their place among the nations of Europe.