Ismail Qemali

Ismail Qemal Vlora was born in Vlora on 24 January 1844, into a large, respected and well-known family in the Ottoman world. His father took part in the revolts against the Tanzimat. He was educated at the "Zosimea" gymnasium, where he learned several foreign languages, partly as an autodidact. Later he began a diplomatic and political career in the Ottoman administration and, at the end of the 19th century, became one of the figures of the pro-Western opposition against the sultan. With extraordinary courage, amid great efforts, when Albania was at risk of disappearing from the Balkan map, he managed to unite the effort and hopes of Albanian patriots and on 28 November 1912 proclaimed the Independence of Albania in Vlora.