FLASH
Shkruar nga PamfletiLasgush Poradeci returned to GRAZ
Yesterday, 5.2.26, at 2:30 PM, near the building where our distinguished poet Lasgush Poradeci lived from 1927 to 1934, a commemorative plaque with his name was unveiled.
The Mayor of Graz, Mrs. Elke Kahr, the Ambassador of Albania in Vienna, H.E. Prof. Fate Velaj, the Deputy Mayor of Pogradec, Mr. Paskalino Ziko, and the owner of the building where Lasgushi lived delivered speeches on the occasion. Poems from the work of the distinguished poet were also read during the ceremony.
The placement of commemorative plaques in places where Albanian personalities have lived or worked in Austria has been one of the main priorities in the field of Albanian art, culture and memory, determined by Ambassador Velaj from the beginning of his tenure.
Yesterday, during his first visit to the Mayor of Graz, in February of last year, Ambassador Velaj submitted the request for the installation of this plaque, the creation of an "Albania Day in Graz", the launch of a partnership between Graz and Shkodra, as well as other cooperation opportunities.
The process of installing the memorial plaque for Lasgush Poradeci was long and difficult, requiring constant convincing work on its importance. After securing the support of the Mayor, the matter went to the City Council, where an equally great effort was required. Then the approval of the building owner was secured, as well as that of the Boltzmann Institute, which reviews historical figures, and finally compiled the text of the memorial plaque, in German and English:
"Lagush Poradeci" (1899–1987)
Poet. In this house lived from 1927 to 1934 the Albanian poet Llazar Sotir Gusho (1899–1987), known by the pseudonym Lasgush Poradeci, who in 1933 received his doctorate in Romance Studies at the University of Graz. Thanks to the two poetic volumes published in 1933 and 1937, he is considered one of the most prominent lyricists of Albanian literature.”
After a year filled with meetings, phone calls and official correspondence, the unveiling of the commemorative plaque became possible, thus providing an important service to Albanian culture and its presence in Austria.
In this spirit, work is also being done for other Albanian figures, in order to leave as many traces of our history as possible, as well as to highlight for the Austrian and foreign public the fact that Albanians, both in the past and today, have produced personalities who honor the nation with their work. The goal is to show that not only immigrants from the 90s came from Albania, but researchers and thinkers who have contributed to European art and culture have come much earlier.
From the speech of Prof. Fate Velaj - Ambassador of Albania to Austria Graz, 5.2.2026
“...Imagine, esteemed ladies and gentlemen, when over the years, the famous composer, a native of this city, Robert Stolz, would pass through this alley and murmur the music he was composing.
Imagine Nikolaus Harnoncourt, the great conductor, walking and moving his hand according to what he would be conducting that evening on stage.
Imagine Arnold Schwarzenegger walking down this street, showing off his muscles.
Imagine Alexander Girardin, the famous actor of the city's theater, walking and performing the role he would play that evening.
Imagine Ludwig Boltzmann, the great physicist, pondering and talking to himself about the new formula.
And imagine a young man from distant Pogradec, who, walking on this street and contemplating the beauties of this city, would weave love verses with the purest and deepest feelings, taken with him from that small town near the deep lake, to later create the greatest depths of Albanian lyric poetry...
Some events in history do not come by chance. History calls them by itself.
I am grateful to the city of Graz for opening its doors to our son, who became Austria's most important export of the time, and today to the Mayor of Graz for making this commemoration of him possible....
"Finally, I must say that this city has been open-handed not only to Lasgush Poradeci, but also to an entire generation of Albanians who came after 1991 and who today are the enlightened reflection of the best values of my country — values that, in essence, Lasgush first revealed."
Lini një Përgjigje