The first issue of the newspaper “Hylli i Dritës” (“The Star of Light”) (1913–1914; 1921–1924; 1930–1944; 1993–1997), a monthly cultural-literary magazine of the Catholic clergy of the Franciscan Order, was published in Shkodër. It has published cultural, social, literary, folklore, religious, linguistic, historical, philosophical, legal, etc. writings. It appeared in three periods: October 1913 – July 1914; May 1921 – December 1924; January 1930 – July 1944. It was also partially published in Italian, French, German. Father Gjergj Fishta was the founder and first director for 25 years (1913–1938); then Father Gjon Shllaku (1938–1941, 1944) and Father Anton Harapi (1942–1943). The magazine had a large number of contributors, mainly Catholic clergy, but also scholars of other religious faiths. In addition to the theological, social and political views of the religious circle he represented, he brought valuable studies and data in the field of Albanian history, Albanian customary law, numerous literary, folklore, linguistic creations, etc. The newspaper “Hylli i Dritës” began to be published as an Albanian cultural magazine in Tirana from 1993 to 1997. In 2006, it resumed publication in Shkodër, under the direction of Zef Pllumbi. (In the photo: Issues of the newspaper “Hylli i Dritës”.)
Text: Albanian encyclopedic dictionary – Vol. 2 , Academy of Sciences of Albania, “Kristalina-KH”, Tirana, 2008, page 966.
Photo: © Albanian Telegraphic Agency
Graphic processing: AHCF
