MONUMENT DU COMBATTANT NATIONAL

Turning its back to the cathedral, this bronze statue (Monumenti i Luftëtarit Kombëtar) is also called the "Unknown Soldier" (Ushtari I Panjohur). It was created in 1932 by the great sculptor Odhise Paskali (1903-1985), to whom we owe the famous equestrian statue of Skanderbeg, in Tirana. It was commissioned by the town hall to honor the memory of Albanian warriors who fought for the independence of the country from 1906 to 1912. In fact, Paskali was mainly inspired by one particular warrior, a certain Nexhip Bënja (c. 1890-1917). Originally from the same town of Permët, the young Paskali was very impressed when he saw this kachak (half brigand, half insurgent), passing, rifle in hand, one day in front of his house when he was only 7 years old. The artist also gave the same features to his statue of the Flag Bearer on the tomb of Ismail Qemali, in Vlora. The National Fighter is shown here holding his rifle with his right hand and resting his left hand on his belt. He is wearing the traditional southern Albanian dress with the fustanelle (pleated skirt) and opingas (light leather shoes) decorated with tassels that conceal blades for close combat. Attributes that are reminiscent of the uniform of Greek evzones. This is not a coincidence, since the evzones are fighters from the large cross-border region of Epirus. They also fought against the Ottomans in fustanelle and with blades hidden under pretty pompoms.