Vasil Gërmenji, teacher, journalist, activist of the National Front and diplomat of the Albanian issue, passed away in New York (USA). He was born in Bitola, in 1908. He was born in the “Liria” hotel, in the center of the Vilayet of Bitola, which was opened by his father, Telemaku, and his brother, Themistokli. He was left an orphan by his father when he was six years old, and his Greek mother left him to grow up in his uncle’s care. He grew up and was educated in Korça, where he graduated from the city’s lyceum. He completed his higher studies in railway engineering in Marseille, France. There he met his wife, Germain, where he married before returning to his homeland in 1934. With the “youth” government of Mehdi bey Frashër, he entered the race for the office of prefect of Korça, but after two weeks, tired of the moral climate of the time, withdraws from politics and continues to teach at the technical school. He left Albania in March 1939, a few weeks before the Italian invasion. Settled again in Marseilles. After the occupation of southern France by German forces, he joins the French Front, which was headed by Francois Mitterand, who, when Vasili died, was the president of France. At the end of the war, he was awarded the “Cross of Merit” 1st Class and was officially recognized as a veteran of the National Liberation of France. (In the photo: Vasil Gërmenji)
Text: Idriz Lamaj
Graphic processing: AHCF
