Mikel Tarabulluzi

Mikel Tarabulluzi or Michelle Tarabulisci (Born april 4, 1868, Prizren - Died 1933) was an Albanian Catholic cleric, teacher and patriot in Stublla in Karadak, modern day Kosovo. He is a venerated figure amongst Albanians and there is a educational fest in his honor. In 1905 Tarabulluzi opened up the first Albanian school in the Catholic community. He was supported by Austro-Hungaria.

The sporadic persecutions at the beginning of the 20th century in of northern Albania against the Catholic population had begun in the 16th century, known as "The Expulsion of the Arberesh" occurring between 1730 and 1735. During this period, the Tarabulluzi family, known for trading and importing mugs, scarves, cocoons and whalebones from Tunisia, fled Shkoder to Prizren.

Born april 4, 1868 in Prizren, he was the son of Zefi and Stanë. He was educated in theological philosophy in Shkoder. In 1890 he was given the title of priest. During a period when Mikel served in Pejë, in 1896, he was appointed as parish priest of Karadak, respectively Letnicë. Mikales home was, with the help of his family and Sedaj family, secured as property of the family and later a church and school. Villagers then started coming to mass at Mikels house. In 1905 Monsignor Pashk Trokshi appointed Mikel Tarabulluzi. His acts deemed well with the League of Prizren who at the time had begun to formulate an Albanian identity. Mikel built his house after being inspired by the league and was the house of Idriz Seferi who's patriots fought in Stubllë and in the Battle of Kacanik in 1910. Mikel became popular amongst Albanian intellectuals at the time and was titled as a symbol of resistance. In 1924 Tarabulluzi imported educational books of mathematics, history, reading, penmanship, catechism, and music in Albanian for which he was jailed by Yugoslav authorities. He died in 1933.