Branko Merxhani, publicist, and sociologist, passed away in Turkey. He was born in Sopik, Gjirokastra, in 1894. He settled with his family abroad. He came to Albania at the end of the 20s of the 20th century, after completing his higher studies in philosophy. He became one of the main figures of the “mental movement of the 30s”. He first collaborated with the newspaper “Demokratia“ (“Democracy”) from Gjirokastër. Branko Merxhani, together with Vangjel Koça, Nebil Çika and other prominent figures of the mental life of the 30s, founded a new stream of Albanian political-social thought under the name “Neoshqiptarizma“ (“Neoalbanianisms”), which aimed to eradicate the anachronistic semi-feudal system, oriental mentality and social disunity, to build in their place a society with comprehensive cultural, spiritual, moral and educational development, under the leadership of a cultured elite. Branko Merxhani was in favor of a new national renaissance, which would bring Albania out of backwardness, while guided by democratic European countries. He left Albania after the fascist occupation and settled in Turkey, where he collaborated in some of the most popular newspapers. (In the photo: Branko Merxhani)
Text: Albanian encyclopedic dictionary – Vol. 3, Academy of Sciences of Albania, “Kristalina-KH”, Tirana, 2009, page 3038-3039.
Graphic processing: AHCF
