I. CHARITY AND PHILANTHROPY IN ALBANIA FROM THE 19TH CENTURY UNTIL 1920 The development of charity and philanthropy is defined by two basic elements which are, economic power and social values. To better understand the dynamics of the philanthropic phenomenon among Albanians until 1920, it is necessary to preliminarily understand the terrain in which this activity took place. It should be kept in mind that charity and philanthropy in Albanian territories did not emerge out of nowhere. They have their own history and they have evolved dynamically in progress with the historical developments in these areas. Thus, it becomes necessary to present the historical background of Albania particularly during the 19th century and early 20th century. The analysis of the historical developments of this time period will enable us to understand the interaction between the two above-mentioned elements and from this, the reasons which defined the scale of development of charity and philanthropy. Albanians have helped and supported people in need since the early days. During medieval times, the church, which was the axis of the whole social, political and economic life, was at the core of the charitable activity.1 Church institutions that were engaged in these activities, in particular the Catholic Church institutions, are found in the Albanian territory since the 16th century. Benedictine and Franciscan religious orders for beggars in the city of Shkodra were such examples.2 The presence of religious orders engaged in education and in all likelihood in charitable works as well, continued to be present in this city even in the 15th century with the brotherhoods of Saint Mercury and Saint Barbara.3 The Ottoman Empire did not cause an interruption of the philanthropic activity, even though in the first centuries following it, this activity did not occur at a high intensity. The only known case is that of Iljaz Bej Mirahori, who established in Korça at the beginning of the 16th century a number of charitable foundations, which were transformed into an important factor for attracting the Muslim population from the villages of the region towards the city.4 From this point onwards, we believe that the low degree of charity was influenced by the decline in civic life that followed the Ottoman invasion of the country, which completely destroyed Albanian cities, most of which ended up with populations 1. Ermal Baze, Qyteti i Shkodrës në gjysmën e parë të shekullit XIV, PhD thesis at University of Tirana, 92. 2. Ibid. 97. 3. Injac Zamputi, Regjistri i Kadastrës and i konçesioneve për rrethin e Shkodrës 1416–1417, Tirana: Academy of Science of the PSRA, 1977, 35. 4. Petraq Pepo, Materiale Dokumentare për Shqipërinë Juglindore të Shekullit XVIII–Fillimi i Shekullit 20TH (Kodiku i Korës and Selasforit), vol. I, Tirana: Academy of Sciences of the PSRA, 1981, 5–6.
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