The event “The contribution of an Italo-Arbëresh Franciscan to the Albanian literary and political renaissance: P. Leonardo De Martino (1840-1923)” took place at Palazzo Borromeo on Wednesday 24th of May. The meeting has been an opportunity to discuss the figure of Father Leonardo De Martino, a Franciscan originally from Greci (AV) and sent as a missionary to northwestern Albania, in Shkroda (Skhutari) in 1865, who contributed in part with his literary works to Albania’s path to independence from the Ottoman Empire.
“This meeting illuminates the fruitful roots that unite our two peoples and enhances the presence of the Italo-aberesh community, which is particularly rooted in our country. During his visit to the Arbëreshe community in the Cosentino area in 2018, the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, wanted to underline how the Arbëresh constitute a story of integration and welcome that has been fully successful, an example of how mutual knowledge and mutual respect of cultures are an instrument of growth for the territorial realities and for the countries in which the different communities live”, Ambassador Francesco Di Nitto said in his opening greeting.
“Italy plays a central role in the European integration process of Albania and also as an interlocutor in the broader international fora, such as NATO. For the Balkan countries, Italy is a key strategic partner in strengthening security and expanding economic development. Nonetheless, the presence of a large Arbëreshe community in Calabria is of great importance in bilateral relations, also in light of the strong enhancement and protection accorded to this community by Italy” stressed the Head of Mission of the Albanian Embassy to the Holy See, Majlinda Dodaj.
The meeting, moderated by Prof. Alberto Basciani, of Roma Tre University, was attendend by Prof. Francesco Altimari, University of Calabria; Prof. Matteo Mandalà, University of Palermo and Prof. Blerina Suta, Università of Napoli L’Orientale.
Prof. Matteo Mandalà wanted to emphasize, through a comparison between De Martino and another Albanian scholar, Ndre Mjeda, the role of the Franciscan father in Albanian literay regeneration and in the country’s independence from Ottoman rule. His main work, “The Harp of an Albanian – Italian”, first published in 1881, had the merit – according to Mandalà – to introduce into Albanian culture some elements that foreshadowed an independent and sovereign patriotic subject, thus showing to have a clear and definite political project.
On the other hand, Prof. Franco Altimari dwelt on De Martino’s multicultural and multiethnic affiliation: his work “The Harp of an Albanian – Italian” contains lyrics of clear Manzonian inspiration and is written partly in Italian and partly in Albanian, demonstrating his full belonging to the Arbëreshe culture.
Prof. Blerina Suta stressed De Martino’s contribution in influencing Western ideas in Albania, but she also recalled his function as the founder of the Franciscan order in the country. The Franciscans in Albania – Suta pointed out – played a central role in helping to transform popular culture into a unifying and educating element for the Albanian people. “De Martino – Suta went to recall – was also the mentor of most of Albania’s resurgent poets, who made a fundamental contribution to Albania’s path to liberation”.
The conclusions were delivered by the Mayor of Greci (AV), Nicola Luigi Norcia.
