Margarita Tutulani
Albanian partisan (1925–1943)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Margarita Tutulani (1925 – 6 July 1943) was an Albanian anti-fascist activist during World War II. Her brutal death inspired many to join the resistance against fascism in Albania.
Margarita Tutulani | |
|---|---|
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| Born | 1925 |
| Died | 6 July 1943 (aged 18) |
| Known for | Partisan during the War of Liberation |
| Parent | Miltiadh Tutulani (Father) |
| Relatives | Kristaq Tutulani (Brother), Dhimitër Tutulani (Grandfather) |
| Awards | ![](#/media/File:Titulli_"Hero_i_Popullit".png){kind=small} Hero of the People |
Biography
Tutulani was born in the Gorica neighborhood of Berat.[1] Her grandfather Dhimitër Tutulani was of Aromanian origins,[2] a notable lawyer, and one of the signers of the Albanian Declaration of Independence in 1912. Her father was a member of the Albanian Parliament.[3] She attended the Queen Mother Pedagogical Institute in Tirana.[1]
When Italy invaded Albania in April 1939, Tutulani moved back to Berat, where she and her family protested and demonstrated against Italian rule of their country.[1] In 1942, she joined the Communist Party.[1] She was also a leading figure in the November 28, 1942 demonstration in Berat, which was an anti-fascist protest that drew thousands of people.[4] After November, she was wanted by the fascist government.[4]
Tutulani and her brother, Kristaq Tutulani, were eventually arrested in Berat on July 4, 1943.[3] After their arrest, they were then subjected to torture while in prison.[1] They were later moved out of the prison and shot in Gosa, near Kavaja,[1] on July 6, 1943.[3]
The city of Berat was shocked at the death of both brother and sister.[3] A "photo of her mangled body" circulated, and eventually the brutality of her death inspired people to join the resistance against the fascist government.[1]
A statue of Tutulani is at the National Martyrs' Cemetery of Albania.[5] Tutulani left behind writing which is now part of the Tutulani family archives, which included poetry, memoirs and essays.[4] The Albanian linguist Vehxhi Buharaja wrote a poem in her honor, "Margarita," ten days after she was killed.[3]