In Istanbul, the “Shoqëria e të shtypurit shkronja shqip” (“Society of printing Albanian letters”) was founded (1879-1891), a patriotic, cultural, educational society founded on the initiative of the “Central Committee for the Protection of the Rights of the Albanian Nationality”. Sami Frashëri was elected as its head. The central council consisted of Abdyl Frashëri, Pashko Vasa, Jani Vreto, Koto Hoxhi, Zija Prishtina, Hasan Tahsini, etc. It is also known by the names “Shoqëri e Stambollit” (“Istanbul Society”) and “Shoqëri e Shkronjëzave” (“Letters’ Society”). The platform of this society was defined in the founding statute (Canonism), which was signed by representatives of different faiths from all over Albania. The main goal was: “Educating the enlightened of our nation”, “reviving the Albanian language and uniting its dialects.” (Sami Frashëri). The society set before tasks with a national character, such as: the cultivation of the Albanian language and the creation of a literary language, the development of national literature, the opening of Albanian schools, the establishment of a printing press, the publication of books (mainly textbooks) and a periodical organ. . For the realization of its platform, the society established branches, especially in the Albanian colonies, adopted the common alphabet of the Albanian language presented by Sami Frashëri, which is also called the “Istanbul Alphabet”. (In the photo: The seal of the Society and printed Albanian letters.)
Text: The history of the Albanian people – Vol. II , Academy of Sciences of Albania, “Toena”, Tirana, 2002, page 210-2013.
Photo: © https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society_for_the_Publication_of_Albanian_Letters
Graphic processing: AHCF
