A National Call to Defend Janina and Southern Albania
On 29 January 1913, the Government of Ismail Qemali recognized the grave threat facing Janina and the southern Albanian territories. In response, it issued an official national directive:
“Janina must be defended at any cost.”
On 10 February 1913, a second order followed, calling every Albanian patriot to arms:
“Albanians must spare neither their property nor their blood, and without losing time, all patriots must take up arms to lead the people in defense of Janina.”
This was one of the most decisive moments in the early history of the Albanian state. Lazarat answered this call with courage, sacrifice, and unwavering loyalty to the nation.
Why the Men of Lazarat Fought
The fighters of Lazarat took up arms to defend:
- Albania’s newly declared independence (1912)
- The territorial integrity of Southern Albania, especially Janina
- Their homes, families, and cultural identity
- The right to live free from foreign occupation and forced assimilation
Their sacrifice was a conscious act of patriotism in a moment when the survival of the Albanian nation was at risk.
Who Organized the Resistance
The resistance in the region was coordinated by:
National Leaders
- Çerçiz Topulli
- Mihal Grameno
Their guerrilla bands operated across Gjirokastra and were sheltered in the mountain pastures of Lazarat.
Local Commanders
- Fejzo Basha, commander of the Lazarat company
- Patriot leaders of Labëria, Kurvelesh, and Gjirokastra, who organized the defense lines around Janina
Community Leadership
- The village elders and councils of Lazarat, who mobilized fighters, protected families, and ensured the survival of the community during occupation
This was not a spontaneous uprising — it was an organized, disciplined, and deeply patriotic movement.
The Fallen Heroes of Lazarat (1900–1920)
These are the sons of Lazarat who gave their lives in the national struggle:
Fallen with the Çeta of Çerçiz Topulli (1908)
- Balil Krishti – killed in Berat, May 1908
Fallen in the Defense of Janina (1912–1913)
- Fejzo Basha – commander, killed in Manalas
- Demo Buci – killed in Manalas
- Mehmet Gaba – killed in Manalas
- Dule Idrizi – killed in Manalas
- Selfo Gjyli – killed on the Janina front
- Delo Dervishi – killed on the Janina front
- Mahmut Çallëku – killed on the Janina front
- Mahmut Malo – died from poisoning during the siege
- Bastri Erindi – from Erind, serving with the Lazarat unit
Their names remain part of the living memory of the village, preserved in songs, oral history, and the pride of generations.
Legacy and Historical Significance
The sacrifice of these men:
- Strengthened the defense of Southern Albania
- Protected Albanian communities from destruction
- Upheld the sovereignty of the newly formed Albanian state
- Became a cornerstone of Lazarat’s identity and historical heritage
They did not fall for glory. They fell so that Albania could stand.
Lazarat honors them today and always.
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