Aleksandër Stavre Drenova

Aleksandër Stavre Drenova, best known under his pen name Asdreni (11 April 1872 – 1947), was one of the most well-known Albanian poets. One of his most recognizable poems is the Albanian National Anthem, Hymni i Flamurit.

Biography

Born in the village of Drenovë, near Korçë, he studied at a Greek school in his village. His father died when he was just thirteen. In 1885, Drenova moved to Bucharest, Romania, where he rejoined his brothers. While there, he was exposed to other Albanian writers and nationalists (see Albanians of Romania).

In 1904, Asdreni published his first collection of ninety-nine poems called Rreze dielli ("Sun Rays"), dedicated to Skanderbeg, the Albanian national hero. His second ninety-nine poem collection, Ëndrra e lotë ("Dreams and Tears") was published in 1912 and was dedicated to the British anthropologist Edith Durham. Asdreni's third collection, Psallme murgu ("Psalms of a Monk"), came in 1930.

His poem "Kënga e bashkimit" (The Song of Unity), published in the volume Ëndrra [dh]e lotë (“Dreams and tears”, 1912), is a clear adaptation of Hora Unirii of Vasile Alecsandri.^[1]

After a brief return to Albania in 1914, Aleksandër returned to Romania and continued to take interest in the Albanian national movement. He visited Albania again in 1937, but he soon after again returned to Romania, where he lived the rest of his life.

External links

Wikisource has original works written by or about: Aleksander Stavre Drenova

• Biography and Poems of Asdreni by Robert Elsie.
• Asdreni's works: text, concordances and frequency list (Albanian and English)

References

Wikiquote has quotations related to: Aleksandër Stavre Drenova

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aleksandër Stavre Drenova.

Albanian literature
Related articles	Albanian language List of Albanian writers Albanian folklore History of Albania Albanian National Awakening Albanology
Early authors	Zenel Bastari Constantine of Berat Pjetër Bogdani Pjetër Budi Gjon Buzuku Julije Balović Nicola Chetta Nikollë Filja Nezim Frakulla Dalip Frashëri Shahin Frashëri Tahir Efendi Jakova Hasan Zyko Kamberi Haxhi Ymer Kashari Muhamet Kyçyku Luca Matranga Etëhem Bey Mollaj Sulejman Naibi Giuseppe Schirò (archbishop) Tahir Skënderasi Giulio Variboba Muçi Zade
Classical authors	Josif Bageri Andon Zako Çajupi Gabriele Dara Spiro Dine Aleksandër Stavre Drenova Gjergj Fishta Naim Frashëri Sami Frashëri Mihal Grameno Luigj Gurakuqi Milto Sotir Gurra Faik Konica Loni Logori Ndre Mjeda Kristo Negovani Ndoc Nikaj Foqion Postoli Girolamo de Rada Francesco Antonio Santori Giuseppe Schirò Giuseppe Serembe Filip Shiroka Risto Siliqi Pashko Vasa Jani Vreto Pjetër Zarishi
Modern	Dritëro Agolli Linditë Ahmeti Mimoza Ahmeti Ylljet Aliçka Fatos Arapi Lindita Arapi Eqrem Basha Sali Bashota Domenico Bellizzi Ben Blushi Kiço Blushi Maria Antonia Braile Flora Brovina Dionis Bubani Gaqo Bushaka Martin Camaj Aleks Çaçi Selfixhe Ciu Spiro Çomora Teki Dervishi Diana Çuli Ibrahim Dalliu Elvira Dones Ledia Dushi Kristo Floqi Mirko Gashi Fatmir Gjata Ndoc Gjetja Sabri Godo Anton Gojçaj Odhise Grillo Fahredin Gunga Faslli Haliti Sabri Hamiti Ervin Hatibi Ismail Kadare Helena Kadare Karmel Kandreva Teodor Keko Jolanda Kodra Musine Kokalari Ernest Koliqi Anastas Kondo Fatos Kongoli Vath Koreshi Rifat Kukaj Teodor Laço Natasha Lako Arian Leka Luljeta Lleshanaku Bardhyl Londo Sejfulla Malëshova Gjekë Marinaj Jamarbër Marko Petro Marko Rudolf Marku Din Mehmeti Kim Mehmeti Esad Mekuli Branko Merxhani Betim Muço Besnik Mustafaj Faruk Myrtaj Jeton Neziraj Millosh Gjergj Nikolla Fan S. Noli Fadil Paçrami Ludmilla Pajo Dhimitër Pasko Anton Pashku Arshi Pipa Ali Podrimja Lasgush Poradeci Giuseppe Schirò Di Maggio Azem Shkreli Dhimitër Shuteriqi Drago Siliqi Llazar Siliqi Nokë Sinishtaj Xhevahir Spahiu Sterjo Spasse Luan Starova Haki Stërmilli Parid Teferiçi Kasëm Trebeshina Hajro Ulqinaku Ardian Vehbiu Ornela Vorpsi Bilal Xhaferri Dhimitër Xhuvani Jakov Xoxa Petraq Zoto