Vinçenc Prenushi (baptismal name Kolë), poet, folklorist, publicist, translator, theologian, senior cleric, was born in Shkodër. In 1908, he completed his higher studies in philosophy and theology in Innsbruck (Austria) and was ordained a priest. After returning to his homeland, he worked as a teacher and then director of the Franciscan College (1920). He participated in the Albanian Literary Commission of Shkodra. In the years 1918-1929 he directed the magazine “Zani i Shna Ndout“ (“The voice of Saint Ndou”), and in 1921-1924, “Hylli i Dritës“ (“The star of the light”). Vinçens Prenushi has been one of the main Catholic dignitaries in Albania: in 1936, he was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Sapa; in 1940, archbishop of Durrës and Tirana; after 1944, he stayed in the village of Delbnisht in Laç; during 1946, he headed the Albanian Catholic Church. Vinçens Prenushi was one of the founding members of the League of Writers (1945). In 1947 he was arrested and sentenced to 20 years of forced labor. He died in Durrës prison. The most important work of Vinçens Prenushi is the collection of lyrical, patriotic, and soulful poems “Gjeth e Lule” (“Leaves and flowers”)(1924, 1931), which became very popular. Vinçens Prenushi has provided valuable assistance in the field of folklore. In 1911, he published the volume “Kangë popullore gegnishte“ (“Gheg folk songs”) in Sarajevo. From 1916 to 1944, Vinçens Prenushi published 26 religious’ books. He died from the most inhumane tortures in the prison of Durrës, in 1949. (In the photo: Vinçenc Prennushi)
Text: Albanian encyclopedic dictionary – Vol. 3 , Academy of Sciences of Albania, “Kristalina-KH”, Tirana, 2009, page 2081.
Graphic processing: AHCF
