Odhise Paskali and the monument of Çerçiz Topulli, in Gjirokastra in 1934

During the 20s-30s of the last century, just a little more than a decade after the declaration of Albania's independence, city squares began to be populated by magnificent statues of national heroes. This was a culture that had been missing from the country just emerging from captivity. The work erected in that period shines even today for the impressive force and magic of creation, such as: the statue of Çerçiz Topulli, of the National Warrior, of Themistokli Gërmenj, of Ismail Qemali, erected in three large cities of the south. Perhaps these works would not have stood the test of time and we would not have them so "alive", if it were not for the hand of the master Odhisa Paskali, their author.

Gift Hamzai

The largest newspaper of the country, "Minerva" of May 1934, tells the story of the erection of one of these statues. It is the statue of the hero, Çerçiz Topulli, which was erected, as written in this newspaper, with the contribution of all the Girokastrites. "The city of Spatajvet, with this monument, paid the debt that it owes to its great and late husband, paid that debt that, together with other cities, it owes to many others and that it will someday pay. Times pass, but history always remains alive, as do the good or bad deeds of people. So when Çerçizi died, his name did not die at all, which will live on, as much as the Nation itself will live., written in "Minerva" on May 20-15, 1934.

And, this is not a small contribution, but an enormous cost. The monument cost a total of 3600 gold francs.

"And, that monument takes the place of a holy temple, in which we feel satisfaction of soul for today and hope for tomorrow. And future generations will kneel before him with nostalgia", is written in the newspaper article.

Considered as the hero who "made legendary efforts for the country's freedom from centuries-old slavery", the journalist of the time, Gjeço Bardhi, also mentions the vision of the new Albanian state that was looking for the graves of martyrs and patriots, such as Abdyl, Naim and Sami Frashër who fought for the freedom and independence of Albania from the Ottoman Empire. "They will become leaders of patriotism for us, especially for those who will come after us", written in "Minerva" in 1924

Another author, Xhevat Kallajxhiu - an Albanian journalist who later lived in America - in the same issue of "Minerva" writes about the greatness of the work in terms of artistic and aesthetic values ​​and also recounts the impasse of non-realization created in the face of the cost of on top of this magnificent monument.

"In November 1927, I was returning from a trip I made to Italy, which I was visiting for the first time. As an advanced country, it attracted me and made me admire its beautiful works. The ones that particularly captivated my heart were the magnificent monuments in the many squares of different Italian cities. I said to myself: Will the day come when we too can erect such monuments? - Who knows! With all this, the voice of hope answers me 'yes'! From Italy I returned to Tirana, where I stayed for a week. One day I was walking here with my cousin Mr. Masar Kallajxhin, to whom I was telling the impressions of the trip. But the word irne, surprisingly, centered around the monuments, which had attracted all my admiration. Therefore, I did not fail to ask the question I was asking with my heart in Italy to Masari in Tirana. This one, with a great ease of language, tells me: 'Erecting a monument is not a difficult job at all. All it takes is will and decision. Yes, above all, we need initiative'. "By the way," adds Masari, "even the erection will not cost much, because Mr. Odhise Paskali, who is a valuable and talented sculptor. Here the conversation took on an expansion and the more it expands, the more the fire of my hope and desire is ignited. The conclusion was this: that Gjirokastra should erect a statue to Čerçi Topulli. Meanwhile we part. During this time, I didn't fail to convince Masuri to find out with Odhise Paskali - whom I didn't have the luck to know personally - about how much the monument would cost and to write to me.

The erection of this monument had become a fixed idea for me. With this thought, then, I return to Gjirokastër and from here I started to exchange letters with Mr. Odhise Paskali, who did not fail to give me a lot of explanations. Then he also sent me a draft plan of the statue, the complete cost of which would reach some 500 Napoleons. On January 14, 1928, I published with my mother an article in the "Demokratia" Notebook with the title "For Cherçis Topullin". With this article, I told my fellow citizens of Gjirokastri the duty they had to erect a monument for their martyr. Here are some parts of that article: 'Cerçis Topulli is a name full of good memories and that honors us and makes us proud, but unfortunately, it started to be forgotten, leaving not even a trace behind. It is our duty to perpetuate the memory of this national math martyr in a statue, the erection of which will honor us and put us in line with the civilized peoples who know how to honor the nation's martyrs. We must show our gratitude, otherwise we will prove that we do not deserve freedom and that future generations will talk about us! But knowing that Albanians have a tradition of gratitude, I am convinced that this call will be received with joy and therefore the initiative will be taken as soon as possible for the realization of this work of great patriotic importance'.

This call was well received by many people, that's all and nothing more. Days went by and the matter remained silent, which made me despair. In this case, two things remained for me: either to decide to take the initiative myself or to let the work take the path of oblivion. Yes, I finally decided to prefer the first one. So, after having previously announced my intention to the authorities, I held a meeting on February 19, 1928 in the hall of the former "Ideal" cinema of this city, in which many people participated. Among the guests were Mr. Fejzi Alizoti, Sami Kokalari, Jorgji Meksi, Xhevdet Xheneti, Beso Gega, Vasil Lito, Aleks Çeçi and others. I open the meeting and with a long speech I show the great patriotic services of Çerçiz and therefore the duty that belongs to us to erect a monument for him. The audience greeted this thought with thunderous applause. Then Mr. took the floor in turn. Fejzi Alizotti, Xhevdel Xheneti, Sami Kokalari, Beso Gega and others, who, after praising this initiative, expressed the opinion that the erection of the statue should be done only with the help of the Girocastrians. This opinion was also unanimously accepted. Then the meeting chose a special committee, composed of these gentlemen: Beso Gega, Galip Çano, Sami Kokalari, Vasil Lilo, Xhevdet Xheneti, Alex Çeçi, Foto Tela, Elmas Hajdëri, Bame Mezini and myself. The first of these was elected by the commission as chairman, the second as vice-chairman and who writes as secretary-treasurer. Meanwhile, starting with myself first, I opened the aid campaign, the written amount of which reached that day 3600 gold francs. As this ended, the meeting disbanded.

On March 22, the same villa was published in the "Demokratia" notebook, which was made available free of charge to the Commission - a call written by all the members of the Commission, inviting all Girocastrians, inside and outside Albania, to to be associated with their help in the realization of this patriotic work. The work up to this point was going well, when then, unfortunately, what happens many times among us happened: the matter cooled down, the enthusiasm died down and many of those who had been marked did not come close to giving their help. The collected money was a small amount, with which nothing could be done. A lot of time went by in silence and you can imagine how much my soul suffered when I saw that the initiative taken by me was heading towards failure. It seems that it was not said that this work should be left in the middle. One fine morning in April 1930, the postman dropped into my hand a letter from America, which contained, among other things, the following:

Dear Mr. Secretary-Treasurer. I have the honor to let you know that the Society of Gjirokastrians 'Drita' held an open meeting today, March 30, 1930. The Assembly consisted of all the members of this Society. This assembly resolved with one voice that the money of this Society, invested in the American East Bank. Pittsburgh Savages and TTUsl. Co, to be donated to erect a statue to the National Hero, Martyr of Math Cherçis Topulli. The money amounts to approximately 1300 dollars ... For this high work, 'Drita' wishes success'.

I was excited and my heart started to change its beats from this incredible joy. I got up immediately and was wandering around the market to find the members of the Commission and friends to inform them of this sihariq math. At the same time, I hastened to send Mr. Babameto a reply letter, in which, among other things, I said:

Dear Mr. Fuad Babameto,

After a continuous spiritual struggle, a struggle of immense despair, suddenly your letter, which I received last week, awakened in my heart feelings of extraordinary joy. You understand for yourself what internal struggles the soul of an initiator, like me, is going through, when you see with bitterness that his work, not only is not moving forward, but sometimes also shows signs of failure. My initiative for a work of great national importance, such as that of erecting the statue of the great martyr of the Nation Čerçis Topulli, was heading towards a difficult path, towards failure, which would be, for a black face, a shame to all the sons of this city. But my hope was not lost. Inside, in the depths of my soul, something is hidden, which made me stand firm in the work I had started. And I really didn't come out lying. The sons of Gjirokastra, the Kreshnik of America, whose national past is full of glory and who appreciate this work much, much more than any other Gjirokastra, did not remain indifferent, yes, as always, they spoke the last word in the assembly of their society 'Light'. This gesture, which was received with great joy, highly honors You and all Your friends. Above all, I honor Gjirokastra, which has eyes and cheeks to brag and be praised for having boys like you and your friends saturated with patriotic feelings, boys who know how to respond properly to any call that is made with a high purpose and for a national work. And one of these works is what you and your friends decide on the March 30 assembly. In the meantime, I present to you and to your friends and my gyrocastrians of America my deepest greetings and congratulations for this remarkable work, which will be remembered with admiration on every occasion that the viewer's eyes will be directed to the statue of the great martyr national team Cherçis Topullit'

In addition to the above aid, some other aid was also sent by the Jirocastrians of America. Yes, the help of the company "Drita" covers the entire necessary amount. Now you have nothing left but to act. The commission, therefore, was immediately set in motion and hastened to solicit bids from various foreign sculptors. Four sculptors submitted bids, simultaneously sending a blueprint of the statue. One of these was the well-known Albanian sculptor T. Odhise Paskali, who later came to Gjirokastër himself. The Commission meets and after studying the plans and offers, decides to entrust the erection of the statue to the Albanian sculptor, not only because he had the best conditions, but also because in this way he supported the only artist we have today. And in this he was not mistaken at all. The Çerçiz monument is a work of art that honors our sculptor, who with it proves that he has mastered his fine craftsmanship. I emphasize on this occasion that from the day the contract was signed until the day the monument was erected, which continued for more than two years, the Commission encountered many unexpected obstacles, yes, despite all this, they were overcome. It is worth mentioning that Mr. Sami Kokolari, the mayor and later the chairman of the Commission. This is briefly the story of the idea and realization of the statue of Čerçis Topulli, which today owns in the beautiful square located at the entrance of the city of Gjirokastra. Xhevat Kallajxhiu".

This is the story that the journalist and patriot Xhevat Kallajxhiu in the newspaper "Minerva", May 20-15, 1934. Through this story, he reveals the extraordinary values ​​of Odhisa Pascal, not only as a great sculptor, but also as a great patriot. /Albania/