Çerçiz Topulli, a patriot and activist of the National Renaissance, a leader in the armed struggle of the bands for the national liberation of the country, and a People’s Hero, was killed in the Field of Shtoi (Shkodra) by Montenegrin forces. He was born in Gjirokastër in 1880. His family environment, especially his older brother, Bajo Topulli, influenced his development as a patriot. He participated in the activities of the “Për lirinë e Shqipërisë” (For the Freedom of Albania) committee in Gjirokastër. In April 1907, he commanded the armed band that operated in southern Albania, especially in the regions of Gjirokastër and Korçë. By decision of the Gjirokastër Committee in early March 1908, members of his band killed the Turkish gendarmerie commander in Gjirokastër. He bravely led the band in the Mashkullorë Uprising on March 18, 1908. In the proclamation “Nga malet e Shqipërisë” (From the Mountains of Albania), addressed to his compatriots and published in the newspaper “Shpnesa e Shqypeniis” in January 1907, Çerçiz Topulli, after condemning the looting of the Ottoman administration, called for Albania to be free and independent. He expressed the conviction that the only way to liberate Albania was through a general armed uprising and called on all Albanians to take up arms in the struggle for freedom. After the victory of the Young Turk revolution in 1908, Çerçiz Topulli worked to establish Albanian clubs and open Albanian schools in various parts of the country. He defended the interests of the nation in patriotic societies and clubs. After the Declaration of Independence of Albania on November 28, 1912, he served the Provisional Government of Vlorë and fought to defend the territorial integrity of the homeland. He was killed in the Field of Shtoi (Shkodra) in 1915. In 1937, Çerçiz Topulli’s remains were brought to Gjirokastër. (In the photo: Çerçiz Topulli)
Text: Albanian encyclopedic dictionary – Vol. 3 , Academy of Sciences of Albania, “Kristalina-KH”, Tirana, 2009, page 2730.
Photo: © https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%87er%C3%A7iz_Topulli
Graphic processing: AHCF
