Francesco Solano (Francesco) (1914–1999), Arbëresh linguist and writer, also known by the pseudonym Dushko Vetmo, passed away. He was born in Frasnitë (Frascineto) in Calabria. He studied theology in Italy and in Argentina. He served as a parish priest for many years in Frasnitë and devoted himself to the knowledge and study of Arbëresh language, culture and literature. In 1975, he founded the chair of the Albanian language and then that of Arbëresh dialects at the University of Calabria, and headed there, for several years, the Department of Linguistics. He established close scientific and educational relations with the universities and scientific institutions of Albania and Kosova and with Albanologists from other countries. Francesco Solano published a series of studies about the dialects and works of Arbëresh literary tradition. Supported the learning of literary Albanian in the Arbëresh environment and cultural ties with the homeland, as the only means for the survival and development of Arbëresh cultural traditions. For this purpose, he published “Manuale di lingua albanese” (“Albanian language manual”) (1972, reprinted 1988) and “Guida alla conversazione albanese” (“Albanian Conversation Guide”) (1975). As a poet, prose writer and dramatist, known under the pseudonyms Paullo Illyrico and Dushko Vetmo, he has published a number of literary works, collections of poems and prose writings. He was decorated with the Order “Naim Frashëri” of the first class. (In the photo: Françesko Solano)
Text: Albanian encyclopedic dictionary – Vol. 3 , Academy of Sciences of Albania, “Kristalina-KH”, Tirana, 2009, page 2370.
Photo: © https://gazetavatra.com/tags/francesco-solano/
Graphic processing: AHCF
