Naim Frashëri

Naim bey Frashëri, more commonly Naim Frashëri (pronounced [naˈim ˈfɾaʃəɾi]; 25 May 1846 – 20 October 1900), was an Albanian historian, journalist, poet, translator, and one of the most prominent figures of the Albanian National Awakening. Regarded as a pioneer of modern Albanian literature and one of the most influential Albanian cultural icons of the 19th century, he was proclaimed as the national poet of Albania.

Frashëri's works explored themes such as freedom, humanity, unity, tolerance and revolution. His twenty-two works consist of fifteen works written in Albanian as well as four in Turkish, two in Greek and one in Persian. He is considered to be the most representative writer of Sufi poetry in Albanian, and having been under the influence of his uncle Dalip Frashëri, he reflected a mingling of Sufism with Western philosophy in his poetical ideals. He had an extraordinarily profound impact on Albanian literature and society during the 20th century, most notably on Asdreni, Gjergj Fishta and Lasgush Poradeci, among many others.

Ti Shqipëri, më jep nder, më jep emrin Shqipëtar ("You Albania, you give me honour, you give me the name Albanian"), a memorable line in his poem O malet e Shqipërisë, has been designated as the national motto of Albania. It speaks to unity and freedom and it embodies in its words a sense of pride towards the country and people.