#femerfriday

[artatheartist]

It's Femër Friday! This week's focus is on Nora e Kelmendit 👐🇦🇱👐 • Nora was a 17th century Albanian woman from the Kelmendi tribe in Northern Albania. Born in 1684, not much is known about her early life as she has become a legendary figure over time and a symbol for Albanian ferocity in the face of adversity. • Referred to as the “Helen of Albania,” legend has it that Nora’s beauty was so renowned it caused a war between Ottoman forces and the Albanian Highlanders. • Having seen Nora’s beauty for himself, Vutsi Pasha set out to marry her. The proposal was refused by Nora’s father, and the Pasha, incensed, lay siege to Malësia. • Nora, calculating and ruthless in her patriotism, seemingly accepted the Pasha’s proposal and after presenting herself to him in her bridal finery (in this case, a “xhublete,” the traditional clothing of that area), stabbed the Pasha and fled. • Having survived his wounds, the Pasha and a regimen of Ottoman soldiers set out after Nora, only to be met by 300 fierce Kelmendi warriors. The battle ensued, and Nora, meeting the Pasha on the battlefield, finally put an end to her would-be-suitor. • There are countless paintings of Nora slaying the Pasha, and ballads are sung, praising her beauty as well as her intellect. Nora e Kelmendit lives on as a symbol of patriotic pride and feminine strength. • Albanian Playing Cards available on my website, www.artatheartist.com • • • #artatheartist #albanian #art #noraekelmendit #femerfriday #xhubleta #albanianheroes #albanianheroines #albania #womenshistorymonth #albanianplayingcards #queenofspades #queenofswords #albanianlegends #albanianwomen #albanianart #albanianartist https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp5RrFkO1KO/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[artatheartist]

Marigo Poçi Posio was born in 1882 in Korçë, Albania. She is credited with embroidering the flag that was raised by Ismail Qemali during Albania’s Declaration of Independence on November 28th, 1912. • Marigo and her husband Jovan were active members of various Albanian Independence movements like Rilindja and the Labëria Patriotic Club, utilizing their home as ground zero for meetings. • In 1921, she published a newspaper, “Shpresa Shqiptare” (Albanian Hope) and was involved in multiple educational endeavors. She passed away from tuberculosis in 1932. • She is considered one of the most prominent female figures in Albanian history, not only for being the "mother" of the Albanian flag, but also for her leadership in Albanian women's organizations and endeavors. • Albanian Playing Cards available on my website, www.ArtaTheArtist.com • • • #ArtaTheArtist #womenshistorymonth #Albanian #albanianwomen #femerfriday #albanianplayingcards #marigona #albanianartist #albanianart https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp22PSYrwRl/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[artatheartist]

Qerime Radisheva aka Shote Galica was born in Drenica, Kosova, on November 10th, 1895. She was the only sister of 6 brothers (how’s that for a çike hasretit? 😏) • She is one of the most prominent Albanian figures, gaining fame for her ferocity in battle as well as her wisdom. She is credited with saying, “Jeta pa dije është si një luftë pa armë” (Life without knowledge is like a war without weapons). • At 20 years old, she married Azem Galica and in 1919, at the age of 26, she and her husband joined the Albanian uprising and fought Yugoslav forces in Junik. • After Azem’s death in 1925, she took control of his band of kaçaks (soldiers) and fought with Bajram Curri (shoutout to my Tropojane mom’s side of the family 😆) in Prizren (Kosova) and Lumë (Albania). • She eventually moved to Fushë-Krujë in Albania and in 1927, and at the age of 31, died. • She was posthumously awarded the title Heroinë e Popullit (“Heroine of the People”) in Albania. • Her legacy lives on, in songs, novels, legends, and even imagery. Her plis and braid have become synonymous with femine strength amongst Albanian people and is often replicated as a nod to Shote.   • • • #artatheartist #albanian #art #womenshistorymonth #femerfriday #shotegalica #albania #kosova #plis #albanianartist #albanianart #albanianplayingcards #folkart https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp0BlXDuNyA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=