On August 11, 1939, a report of the Command of the Royal Carabinieri Group in Tirana recorded a violent act against Albanian culture: 2,325 books on the life and works of Zog in Albanian, and 820 copies of them translated into English, deposited in Kristo Dako's apartment, were seized and completely burned.
The official document emphasized that this was carried out under the order of the Tirana Prefecture and in the presence of fascist authorities, destroying not only books, but part of the Albanian cultural heritage.
Like the Nazis in Europe, the fascists in Albania did not spare the books and translations that promoted national identity and independence. But despite this, the name and works of Kristo Dakos did not disappear.
Kristo Dako (1876–1941) was one of the most prominent figures of the National Renaissance. A publicist, educator, and activist for the Albanian diaspora, he was the founder and leader of several patriotic societies in the United States, using newspapers and cultural institutions to promote the Albanian cause and support international recognition of Albania. Active in political journalism, he wrote articles, books, and analyses on national identity and the future of the country, leaving deep traces in Albanian culture and history.
The acts of violence against his books failed to extinguish his message. On the contrary, Kristo Dako’s legacy remains a symbol of the Albanian nation’s commitment to education, culture, and freedom – a powerful reminder that books, even when burned, cannot destroy the knowledge and spirit of a nation.
record
Command of the Royal Carabinieri Group of Rirane.
Royal Carabinieri Company.The team dressed him in civilian clothes.
Abbreviation: Destruction (burning with boiling water) of some books.
The year nineteen and ninety-nine, on August 11, Friday, at ten past ten.
We, the undersigned, Lieutenant of the Royal Carabinieri Jaho Stavrotue, assisted by Marshals of the Royal Carabinieri Buonfrati Pietro and Kelmendi Selim, refer to the competent authorities the following:
Based on the order of the Tirana Prefecture No. 103, Res.d.11/7/1939,
today on the above date we went to the apartment of Kristo Dako, where we found deposited in a separate room 2325 pieces of books that write about the life and works of Zog in the Shaip language, as well as 820 pieces of books of this type translated into English, which after being transported to a suitable place were all burned in our presence.This minutes were kept in three copies, one of which is attached to the relevant acts, the second is sent to the relevant Command for information, and the third is handed over to Mr. Kristo Dakos to have as evidence, and use it wherever
the need arises.After it was written, sung and signed by us as below
Mareshall
Buonfrat1 Pletro, dv
Mareshall
Jaho Stavro dv
Kelmendi Selim,dv
