Summary
This text commemorates Academician Aleksandar Stipčević, a leading scholar of Illyrology, Albanology, and Balkan studies, on the anniversaries of his birth and death. It highlights his lifelong dedication to proving the Illyrians’ indigenous presence in the Western Balkans and his major contributions to archaeology, ethnology, and the history of the book. The author recalls personal meetings, emphasizing Stipčević’s modesty, energy, and intellectual influence. His extensive body of work and his final monograph on the Arbëresh of Zadar are praised. The text concludes that his legacy remains vital for Albanian historiography, scholarship, and cultural identity.
On the occasion of the 95th anniversary of his birth (October 10, 1930) and the 10th anniversary of his death (August 31, 2015)
The Balkan–European and Albanian–Arbëresh scientific world, on October 10, 2015, marked the 94th anniversary of the birth of Academician Aleksandar Stipčević – an intellectual of exceptional caliber in the Balkan region and beyond, an emblematic figure of Illyrology who, for more than half a century, was devoted to the Illyrians and demonstrated with indisputable facts that they are indigenous to the Western Balkans.
Scholars, too, are people who are born and die. This means that scholars are born spiritually and die physically. How can we explain this? Perhaps this is a well-known notion, repeated hundreds and thousands of times, especially in moments when a scholar passes away, as was the case a few days ago (August 30, 2015), when the heart stopped beating and the archaeologist, biographer, essayist, Illyrologist, ethnologist, and Albanologist Academician Aleksandar Stipčević passed away – an external member of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Kosovo, honored and decorated by the Albanian state with the medal “Naim Frashëri” and the order “Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg.”
Thus, on October 10, 2025, the Albanian and Balkan scientific world marks the 95th anniversary of the birth of the esteemed professor, researcher, and Illyrologist of global stature, our mutual friend, Academician Aleksandar (Shandri) Stipčević, at a time when, unfortunately, he is no longer among us.
He spoke little and worked much, giving Balkan, European, and global knowledge—and within this framework also Albanian scholarship—a wealth of works and a great example of a dedicated researcher, seeker, and scholar devoted to scientific truth. He was a tireless and unwavering defender of historical truth, a pioneer in many fields of Illyrology, ethnography, the history of the book, education, and culture; a spiritual parent to his many students; a dear friend to colleagues, collaborators, and countless others.
To be near him (I personally had the fortune to meet and converse with him in 2005 in Struga and Ohrid, and in 2009 at the “Grand” Hotel in Pristina, as well as to maintain regular correspondence) was not only a pleasure but also an honor and inspiration. Few have given so much to their people and homeland; few have devoted themselves so courageously and diligently to research as did the scholar, Illyrologist, ethnologist, and bibliographer Shandri (Aleksandar Stipčević).
His name is inseparable from the development of Illyrological science in Tirana, Zagreb, Pristina, Zadar, and Skopje, where his scientific and organizational contributions were and remain guiding and irreplaceable. In all scientific publications of these cities, his name stands among the foremost—not because of age, but because of his leadership and scholarly courage.
Anyone who knew Professor Aleksandar (Shandri) in his youth always saw energy in him—an energy that emanated from his entire being. Cheerful and tireless, he embarked on the difficult path of research in Illyrology, Albanology, biography, book history, and ethnology.
Through his work in Illyrology, the name of Academician Aleksandar Stipčević became known not only in Albanological and Balkan contexts but also in international scientific circles. He had an early and strong connection with the Illyrians—a remarkable love that began when he had just finished high school. He devoted his entire life to them, their art, traditions, and hidden history. He gathered his findings into a book titled “The Illyrians” (History, life, culture, symbols, and cult).
At our first meeting in June 2005 in Struga and Ohrid, he told me:
“…When I finished high school, I had to choose a field of study, and I chose history, more precisely ancient history. I did this because I thought that by dealing with ancient history, I would have less to do with the problems of Tito’s monist Yugoslavia.
This was the first premise that directed me toward that era. Gradually, since I could read Albanian literature, I fell more in love with the Illyrians every day. Many friends and scholars have asked me why I devoted myself to the Illyrians, and I answer without hesitation that the reason is strong.
I am of Albanian origin; I am an Arbëresh from Zadar. I often joke by saying, ‘I am the only descendant of Queen Teuta.’ She had her center in Shkodra. And since we were near those places, we surely had some drop of her blood. And if we Albanians decide to have a king, I am ready to come here to the capital of ancient Dassaretia in Lychnidus (Ohrid)”—and he smiled gently.”
Academician Aleksandar Stipčević was born on October 10, 1930, in Arbanasi near Zadar, where he completed primary and secondary education. In 1954, he graduated in archaeology from the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Zagreb.
He worked briefly at the Archaeological Museum in Zadar and the Institute of Historical Sciences there. In 1957, he worked at the National and University Library in Zagreb as head of book publications. From 1974–1983 he was director of the Library of the Yugoslav Academy of Sciences and Arts (later the Croatian Academy).
In 1983, he moved to the Yugoslav Lexicographic Institute as head of the Croatian Biographical Lexicon section. In 1987, he joined the Faculty of Philosophy in Zagreb, later becoming head of the Department of Library Science and, from 1992–1995, director of the Department of Information Sciences. He retired in 1997 as a university professor.
Over the years, he held important roles in the Croatian Writers’ Association (formerly the Croatian Library Association), serving as its president from 1967–1973 and also leading the Union of Writers’ Associations of Yugoslavia (1967–1969). He was editor of the association’s journal. From 1983, he was an external member of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Kosovo, and from 2001 a member of the Academia Marchigiana in Ancona.
For his contributions, he received numerous honors, including the Kukuljević Diploma (1983) and the Croatian Order of Danica with the figure of Marko Marulić (1998). He was also an honorary member of the Croatian PEN Center, the Croatian Archaeologists’ Association, and the Croatian Writers’ Association. In 2005 he received the City of Zagreb and City of Zadar lifetime achievement awards, and from 2009 he was an honorary member of the governing board of the University “Iliria” in Pristina.
In 2001, the President of Albania, Rexhep Mejdani, awarded him the Golden Decoration “Naim Frashëri” for his valuable contribution to illuminating Illyrian history.
For many years, Stipčević worked on ancient Illyrian culture, bibliography, the general history of the book, Croatian and world book history, censorship, and Albanological sciences. By 2015, he had written over 230 works published in prestigious journals and books, including: Arte degli Iliri (1963), Gli Iliri (1966), Bibliographia Illyrica (1967), Illyrians: History, Culture, and Life (1971), Cult Symbols among the Illyrians (1981), History of the Book (1985, 2006), and many others, culminating in the monumental Traditional Culture of the Arbëresh of Zadar (2011).
Today, Albanians are particularly grateful to Academician Stipčević and feel confident as descendants of the Illyrians, with the Albanian language as a daughter of Illyrian. As he emphasized: “The Illyrians did not disappear from the Balkans… every Albanian should know this.”
In his own words, he noted that growing up in Arbanasi allowed him to learn Albanian and later access Illyrian studies written in that language—an advantage unique among his peers. He also mentioned carrying an “amulet” throughout his life, according to Illyrian-Albanian belief.
Many scholars have written about him, and in 2008 a monograph titled Aleksandru Stipčeviqu – With Respect was published in Zagreb. Known affectionately as “Shandri,” he was modest and communicative, yet firm and uncompromising when confronting false historical claims.
His final book, Traditional Culture of the Arbëresh of Zadar, is a comprehensive scientific monograph preserving the heritage of this Albanian community. It combines language, science, tradition, ethnography, and art, presenting a rich gallery of history, folklore, songs, and lived experience.
Through nearly 60 years of scholarly work, he achieved outstanding results, expanding knowledge and illuminating historical truth. His contribution to Albanian and Balkan historiography is immense and enduring.
With his passing, his family lost a husband, father, and grandfather; friends lost a companion; science lost a scholar; and Albanians lost an emblematic figure of Illyrology and Albanology.
Struga, August 23, 2025
Prof. Nebi Dervishi
