Isa Boletini played a key role in the historical events surrounding the declaration of Albania’s independence on November 28, 1912. On that day, he led an army of 400 fighters from Kosovo who stood as an honor guard by the National Flag in Vlorë, demonstrating his strong commitment to the national cause. Although Ismail Qemali offered him the position of Minister of War, Boletini declined, arguing that the role required someone with a formal education.
After the declaration of independence, he faced the consequences of the unjust territorial divisions imposed on Albania by the Great Powers at the London Conference in 1913. During an official visit to London, Boletini challenged the decisions that left half of Albanian lands outside the borders of the new state. He emphasized the importance of uniting all Albanian territories and opposed the forced submission of the Albanian people. This period, reflected in Boletini’s actions, represents the ongoing efforts of Albanian leaders to preserve territorial integrity and national sovereignty in a tense international context.
Petro Dhimitri, also known as Petro the Photographer and Petro the Albanian, was one of the first and most prominent photographers of the Albanian National Awakening. Born in Korçë in 1861, he studied photography in Istanbul and later returned to Albania, where he documented historic events and patriotic movements. Petro was also an artist, graphic designer, and actor in the play Besa. His notable photographs include images from the first anniversary of Albania’s independence in Vlorë and the Shëndëlli Assembly. Many of his works are preserved in the State Archive in Tirana. He died in Korçë in 1947 and is considered a key figure in Albanian photography.