Viktor Kostreci, teacher and researcher, was born in the village of Kostrec, Përmet. When he was six months old, his family moved to the village of Drenovë in Korçë. As the only child in the family, he was raised with special care by his parents. His family was involved in the National Liberation Anti-Fascist War from its inception. Their home served as a partisan base. He completed primary school in Drenovë (1946–1950) and his secondary education in Korçë (1950–1957). He pursued higher education at the University of Tirana (1957–1961) in the Faculty of History and Philology, majoring in Albanian language and literature. He graduated in 1961 as a language and literature teacher for secondary schools. On August 15, 1961, he was appointed a teacher at the 11-year school in Bilisht, and in the second year, he was appointed deputy director of the school. From 1963 to 1966, he worked as an Education Inspector for the Devoll area in the Executive Committee of the Korçë District. In 1966, he settled in Maliq with his family. From 1970 to 1974, he served as the director of the 8-year school in Maliq and simultaneously as the general director for 8-year schools in the Maliq area and surrounding villages. During these years, he taught Albanian language and literature at the Maliq school. From 1970 onwards, Viktor Kostreci was the chairman of the Democratic Front for the city of Maliq. 1991 was his last year as a teacher. From 1992 to 1996, he was elected mayor of the Municipality of Maliq, representing the Socialist Party. During his time as mayor, he contributed to improving life in the city of Maliq, opening new job opportunities, and improving the city’s infrastructure. He later retired from political life and pensioned. In 1999, he moved to live in the city of Vlorë near his eldest son. His passions were books and philately. His collection exceeds ten thousand postage stamps. Even today, as a retiree, he spends most of his time browsing books and the internet about Nobel laureates and distinguished writers. Since 2010, he has been living in the United States and has obtained American citizenship. (In the photo: Viktor Kostreci)
Text: Skerdi and Maltin Kostreci
Photo: © Kostreci Family
Graphic processing: AHCF
