12 Facts About Eqrem Vlora

Eqrem Bey Vlora was an Albanian lord, politician, writer, and one of the delegates to the Assembly of Vlore, which proclaimed the Albanian Declaration of Independence on November 28,1912.

Eqrem Vlora is described as The Last of Beys, the embodiment of the Albanian aristocracy of the time, although he came from a caste founded on the principles of Ottoman military fief.

Eqrem Vlora was born on 1 December 1885, in Vlore, Ottoman Empire, to Syrja Bey Vlora, a diplomat and politician, as well as a member of one of the wealthiest landowning families of the South Albania, and Mihri Vlora, member of one of the prominent families of Central Albania, the Toptani family.

Eqrem Vlora was related both to Ismail Qemali and to his main political opponent Esad Pasha, who were both his first cousins from his father's and mother's side respectively.

Eqrem Vlora was sent in Neuwied to meet the Prince Wilhelm of Wied, chosen to rule Albania.

Eqrem Vlora received the Order of the Eagle for gallantry shown during the siege.

Eqrem Vlora was a known supporter of the Central Powers during World War I for which reason he kept under arrest in Italy during most of the war but subsequently became a promoter of close relations between Italy and Albania.

Eqrem Vlora was friendly towards the Italian commanders during the Italian invasion of Vlora in 1920.

Eqrem Vlora was elected to parliament in 1924, representing a conservative wing and, in 1925, became a senator for a short period of time.

Eqrem Vlora was a close friend of the Bavarian baroness Marie Amelie, Freiin von Godin, with whom he translated the Kanun of Leke Dukagjini into German.

Eqrem Vlora welcomed the Italian invasion of April 1939 and had close links to the Italian fascists.

Eqrem Vlora died in Vienna and was buried at the Neustift am Walde Cemetery till 30 March 2014.