Riza Strellci was a patriot and rhapsodist, who died with the last song for freedom in his mouth. He dedicated his entire life to the Albanian nation, he was a prominent activist of the national cause. He was born on January 6, 1904 in the village of Vërbica e Zhegoci, near the Bilinica neighborhood. He was also called Rizah Zhegoci, since the village was part of the Zhegoci highlands.
His family came from the village of Strellci, Deçan district. From Strellci, his grandfather had moved to the village of Bajashtica in Toplica, and after the Serbian massacres of the Albanians of Toplica, he had come to Kosovo, to the village of Tërbufc.
He had attended four-grade elementary school in the Serbian language in Gjilan, but for reasons that are known, he had abandoned it. Due to economic conditions, Rizahu moved again and came to the Prishtina district, more precisely to Azizi, former Miloshevo, where he still has his family and son, Mustafa Strellci.
The great patriot Riza Strellci was a self-taught poet. He left a number of beautiful songs and poems in manuscript. He participated in the Anti-Fascist National Liberation War during the years 1944–1945, with the hope that through this war the national rights of the Albanians would be realized.
In the war, he had shown dedication, courage and determination. After the “liberation” he was employed in the municipal bodies. Since his freedom-loving words had fallen on the ears of the state security bodies, he was imprisoned and then sent to the Nish Prison, where he died.
Reference
Balkan Academia 