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chapters with the early 19 th century and the account on the formation of the Albanian nationstate,
the contributors to the edited collection conclude their discussion in the year of 1930
when the reign of King Zogu began to fade. The local writer Koçi concludes his book about
the history and archaeology of Himarë/Himara area with the year of 1868 and the
confirmation of the autonomy in the area.
Except for Bixhili and Nina, other authors who are presented in these sections mention the
period of the Second World War briefly, with few sentences. Kristo Frashëri, another pro-
Albanian writer, briefly mentions the Second World War in one of the final paragraphs of his
book. In order to confirm the national belonging of Himarë/Himara people, he states:
In this view the customs, songs, dances, way of dressing, legends, mentality and the
laws such as the kanun of Himarë area are neither similar to the Hellenic customs, nor
to those of Greek minority living in Albania. The customs and habits of Himarë people
are similar to the Albanian ones, particularly those that are typical for Laberia.
Because of this the people of Himarë, with some exceptions, declared themselves as
Albanian citizens, after the Second World War. This proves the voting list of Greek
minority which since 1945 does not include the people of Himarë area. But in spite of
this, even nowadays some political circles in Greece insist on their fanatic claim that
Himarë people are part of the Greek minority. The Greek politicians insist that this
should be in the legal act of Albania and the people of Himarë should have the rights
of minority and they should have the right for Greek education and Greek flag
(Frashëri 2005: 95-96, translated by Juliana Vera).
Rusha too, describes the period of the Second World War only in a few sentences. Unlike
Frashëri, Rusha sees this period as one of the important historical moments for the people of
Himarë/Himara. Rusha describes people’s fighting spirit with the following words:
The warriors’ tradition, the battles and the freedom of Himara people played an
important role also during the Second World War, when Himara men fought against
the Italian and German Fascists and when many of them lost their lives […].
This is why these seven villages, extending from Qeparo to Palasa had privileges that
lasted until the end of the Second World War. The people of Himara were united and
they were famous for their bravery, morality and laws that were followed in all the
villages of Himara area, which once extended from the north of Dukati to Tepelena
and onwards to Saranda (Rusha 2001: 149-150, translations mine).
In a small tourist guide, which can be downloaded from the website [www.himara.eu], the
battles between Greek and Italian troops which took place in Himarë/Himara area are
mentioned in the section on history:
During the 1940-1941 war between Greece and Italy, important battles took place in
the region around Himara. On December 22, 1940 the Greek army entered Himara and
the citizens welcomed them with enthusiastic celebrations (www.himara.eu).
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