In the village of Krej-Lure (Dibër), Nikollë Kaçorri, patriotic cleric and activist of the National Renaissance, was born. He went to school in Shkodër and continued his higher theological studies in Italy. In 1893, he was appointed parish priest in Durrës, where he served for 20 years. From a young age, he participated in the national political and cultural movement. Entered in connection with Father Shtjefën Gjeçovi, who during the years 1899-1905 served in Laç (Sebaste) of Kurbin. This period marked for both of these catholic clerics the beginnings of their national political-cultural activity. Nikollë Kaçorri, under the influence of Gjeçovi, collected folk songs of Central and Northern Albania, even of Kosova, in a volume entitled “Canti albanesi popolari” (“Albanian folk songs”). This manuscript volume has 49 epic folk songs with varied themes. Created cooperation links with the homeland districts of Tirana, Mati, Dibra, Durrës, Mbishkodra Highlands and Kosova. He maintained regular correspondence with Ismail Qemali, Abdi Toptani, Sali Nivica, etc. Participant in the Congress of Manastir (1908) and the Congress of Elbasan (1909). In 1909, he initiated the creation of the patriotic club “Bashkimi” in Durrës. He participated in the General Uprising of 1912, as one of the main leaders of the insurgent committee in Krujë (with the nickname “Kunora”). He collaborated in the insurgent movement in the Catholic districts of Kosova, the Mbishkodra Highlands and the Mirdita area. For this activity, he was arrested by the Ottoman authorities and sentenced to prison. Representative (delegate) of the province of Durrës in the National Assembly of Vlora (1912), which proclaimed the Independence of Albania. The Assembly elected him vice-president of the Provisional Government, headed by Ismail Qemali. In 1914 he left Albania. He died in Vienna, in 1917. He was decorated with the “Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu” order. (In the photo: Nikollë Kaçorri)
Text: Albanian encyclopedic dictionary – Vol. 2, Academy of Sciences of Albania, “Kristalina-KH”, Tirana, 2008, page 1086.
Photo: © https://twitter.com/simonindoc/status/1530723349093138434/photo/1
Graphic processing: AHCF
