In the late 19th century, near the town of Aleksinac, in Serbia’s Nišava District, there was the Albanian village of Glogovica, once situated along the tense border between Serbian and Ottoman empire. This is a story involving two young men from the the Albanian village of Vlase.

“One day, a young Arnaut named Hasan asked the commander at the Svirački camp for permission to cross the border to visit his widowed aunt in Glogovica, an Albanian village on the Turkish side. The commander granted his request, and Hasan was warmly received by his aunt.

Before leaving, Hasan requested that his cousin Hussein be allowed to accompany him back across the border to their own side, so that Hussein could be welcomed and entertained. However, his aunt refused, fearing for her son’s safety. She warned Hasan that crossing into “the land of the “Kaurs” (infidels) was dangerous and that losing her only son would be unbearable.

Hasan reassured her, promising to protect Hussein and return him safely. Reluctantly, the aunt agreed.

The two crossed safely to their homeland and spent three joyful days celebrating. On the fourth day, Hasan escorted Hussein back toward Glogovica. Near the village, they were ambushed by a group of outlaws from Haikobila. Mistaking the two for wealthy merchants, the bandits attacked, resulting in a deadly gunfight. Hussein and two bandits were killed, while Hasan’s comrades fled.

Left alone beside his fallen cousin, Hasan, overcome with grief, took his own life.

Hasan never returned to his aunt with Hussein, and never saw her again. The story remains incomplete, with many emotions and hardships left unspoken.”

Reference

Delo list za nauku, književnost i društveni život, Volume 16, 1897.