CURRENTS OF PHILOSOPHICAL THOUGHT AND INTELLECTUAL DEBATES IN ALBANIA (1918-1939)

Beqir MEMETI

Abstract

In the period between the two world wars, despite the economic and social backwardness in Albania, the cultural development moved forward and followed the historical course. Thanks to the efforts of the progressive forces and especially the intelligentsia in this period, a certain pluralistic climate was created in culture. The ideas and views of all currents appeared mainly in the periodical press (in newspapers and magazines of the time) and less in books, the publishing of which was difficult. One of the most prestigious currents of Albanian philosophical and sociological thought was that of “neo-Albanianism”, which came to life in the writings of Branko Merxhani. Another current of intellectuals, close to the first, was that of young people led by Ismet Toto, Nebil Çilka, Ferit Voskopola, Seit Qemali and others. In the beginning they were also called “neo-Albanians”, but later, elaborating their ideas against the old ones, from the ranks of the conservative beylers, they kept the name the young. The young ones, contrary to neo-Albanians, rooted for political activity and created a certain political doctrine. At the time of the proclamation of the Monarchy, there was a group of journalists and intellectuals who used their pen to justify Ahmet Zogu’s monarchy. The severe attacks on “the young” also helped in the system of their views. The “old” ideologues, led by Teki Selenica, Abdurrahman Dibra, Terenc Toçi and others, had sufficient space to expose their views.

Pages: 44 - 46