Luigj Gurakuqi (19 February 1879 – 2 March 1925), also called Louis Gurakuchi, was an Albanian writer and politician. He was an important figure of the Albanian National Awakening and was honored with the People's Hero of Albania medal.

Biography

Early life

Gurakuqi was born to a Catholic family in Shkodër, a vilayet center of the Ottoman Empire at the time, on February 19, 1879. He studied at the Jesuit-run St. Xavier College He was also a poet and published under the pen name Jakin Shkodra and Lekë Gruda. He published articles in Albania, Drita, Kalendari-kombëtar, Liria e Shqipërisë, and La Nazione Albanese.

Albanian independence

By September 1912, Gurakuqi and Ismail Kemal traveled to Bucharest to consult with the large Albanian diaspora regarding Albanian geopolitical issues.

Principality of Albania and Noli's Government

In 1924 Gurakuqi was one of the leaders of the revolution that overthrew the regime of Ahmet Zogu and established a democratic government. Fan S. Noli became the new prime minister, while Luigj Gurakuqi was part of the new cabinet as Minister of Economy and Finance.

Exile and death

After the restoration of the Zogist regime, Gurakuqi lived in Bari, Italy, where he was murdered in a café by Balto Stambolla. Balto Stambolla was extradited back to his homeland in 1942 during the Italian occupation of Albania, by a personal request from Mustafa Merlika-Kruja. He then ordered the prison guards of Fier to murder Stambolla. This was done in order to avenge Gurakuqi.

Honors

Luigj Gurakuqi was awarded the titles Hero i Popullit (Hero of the People) and Mësues i Popullit (Teacher of the People). A statue of him stands in the center of Shkodër.