by Adriatik Alimadhi. Translation Petrit Latifi

Summary

In April 1939, shortly after the Italian occupation of Albania, Mid’hat Frashëri and other patriots issued the document “First Albanian Nationalism” under the name Balli Kombëtar. This manifesto, preserved in the Albanian State Archives, outlines eight core principles emphasizing a free, independent, and ethnically unified Albania. It stresses national self-reliance, readiness for sacrifice, preservation of ethnic borders, and friendly relations with neighbors based on mutual respect. The text highlights continuity from the League of Prizren (Abdyl Frashëri) to Mid’hat Frashëri’s vision of Ethnic Albania. It rejects ideological struggles and calls all Albanians to unite around Skanderbeg’s flag with unshakable patriotism.

“Albania of the Albanians
Death to the Traitors!

Dear friends, this is the First Albanian Nationalism, dated April 1939. As you will read, its 8 points carry the date: April 1939.

On 12 April 1939, the Constituent Assembly met and decided to send the crown to Victor Emmanuel. A group of Albanians departed for Italy on 16 April 1939. After their return to Albania, many writings and protagonists of that time state that Mid’hat Frashëri, together with other Albanian patriots, issued this document titled:

“Albanian Nationalism”
Balli Kombëtar, April 1939

This act was taken from the Albanian State Archives. The document holds special importance not only for the founding period of the Balli Kombëtar, but it should have been included in the History of Albania. Communist historiography deliberately omitted this major act, which represents a key action for the entire Albanian nationalist movement.

This document clearly establishes the continuity of the national spirit from the League of Prizren led by Abdyl Frashëri to his son Mid’hat Frashëri.

The history of Albania must recognise two particularly important periods:

• The time of Abdyl – the unification of the four vilayets,
• The time of Mid’hat Frashëri – Ethnic Albania, Father and Son.

Throughout this period, Mid’hat Frashëri collaborated with many patriots and patriotic Albanian families who formed the national core. He also held meetings with many international friends to discuss ideas, studies, principles, and national values that would shape the “First Albanian Nationalism” in his homeland.

This document is of great historical importance in determining the exact date of the founding of the Balli Kombëtar organisation.

Today or tomorrow you will be able to read the Moral Principles of the Balli Kombëtar, which derive from these 8 points of Albanian Nationalism, followed by the 10 Points of the Decalogue “Balli Kombëtar” – the political and economic programme that constitutes the action plan for the entire Albanian Nationalist movement.

FIRST ALBANIAN NATIONALISM
“BALLI KOMBËTAR”

In this present time of such great importance, Albanians too must feel with deep conscience their responsibility. The world is in flames; we cannot remain indifferent. Albanian Nationalism raises its voice, and this voice must resound in the heart of every Albanian.

We say “every Albanian” because our nationalism is not a party. It is not even a group. It is the great gathering of the entire Albanian nation, it is the union of the whole ALBANIAN RACE, of all the people who speak the Albanian language. This race, this nation, this people feels itself as brothers and inseparable from one another. And it has only one goal. This goal is:

1. To have a free and independent Albania.
2. To secure an advanced Albania, capable of living, honourable and fraternal.
3. To preserve its ethnic borders and to embrace all its sons in one FATHERLAND.
4. The sons of this nation must be ready for every sacrifice to achieve the common goal.
5. To achieve this goal, we must place all our hope first in ourselves. We must save ourselves through our own sacrifices, our own efforts, our own will, and our own desire. And God will help us.
6. Albanian Nationalism desires friendly relations with neighbouring nations and states, and to live in harmony with them. This friendship must be based on mutual respect for the rights of both sides.
7. Albanian Nationalism does not intend to harm anyone, but it also wants no one to harm the Albanian nation: it wants to defend itself.
8. Albanian Nationalism does not engage in any ideological struggle. Its principles are patriotic, and it seeks to strengthen and increase this patriotism.

Today, even the country where ideology has found application is striving for nationality and fatherland. Therefore, Albanian Nationalism advises our entire people to set aside ideologies and strive only for Albania, around the flag of Skanderbeg, with unshakable patriotism.

This is the sacred goal of Albanian Nationalism. This is what it is today, and what it will remain tomorrow and forever. This path must be followed with enthusiasm and energy, because for this path those who left us this legacy — this land — worked, struggled, and sacrificed themselves. To follow this path today, we give the Albanian Pledge.

Albania, April 1939
(AQSHF, F. 14, AP)

Pleasant reading,
Adriatik Alimadhi”.