Quick Facts
Biography
Prof. Abas Ermenji (December 12, 1913 - March 13, 2003) was an Albanian politician and historian.
History
Ermenji was born in the village of Ermenj, Skrapar on December 12, 1913. His education was conducted in Berat elementary and middle school. He attended high school in Shkodra. In the years 1934-1938, Ermenji went to university in Sorbonne, Paris and was part of the Faculty of Literature with specialization in History.
Ermenji returned to Albania in 1938 and appointed professor at the Lycée of Korçë where he taught until November, 1939. He was arrested by the Italians as one of the organizers of a rally in Korça on November 28, 1939 against the fascist occupation. He went on exile to the island of Ventotene. In 1941, Ermenji returned to Albania and helped organise the National Front (Balli Kombëtar).
Once back in Albania, Ermenji took part in organizing armed resistance against foreign occupation in the Skrapar-Berat area and managed to keep it free from the Italian forces.
After the victory of the communist revolution in Albania, Ermenji was forced into exile by the new regime. He settled in Paris where he worked for the Democratic-National Committee "Free Albania", which played a major role in efforts to free Albania from the communist regime and to liberate Kosovo from Yugoslavia.
After recreating the National Front in Albania in 1991, Ermenji was elected leader of the new National Front in the years 1994 and 1998. During this period and despite his great age, Ermenji made a major contribution to the establishment of Albanian national sentiment through a series of conferences in the entire country.
Abas Ermenji was a staunch defender of Albanians in Yugoslavia and Greece. He published many articles to bring awareness of the issues Albanians faced under neighboring rule. Ermenji was also known for writing the book Place of Scanderbeg in Albania's history, a study of Scanderbeg's impact on the history of Albania and the Albanian nation.