Pjetër Bogdani, born on September 19, 1630, in the village of Gur in the Has region, is one of the most original writers of early Albanian literature. Known in Italian as Pietro Bogdano, he is considered a master of the Albanian language and one of the greatest poets of the Baroque style in Albania and Europe during the 17th century.
Bogdani is also remembered as the greatest Christian theologian in the Albanian language.
He began his early education in Bulgaria and started his religious career as a priest in Pult and the villages around Prizren in 1651. In 1656, he was called to Rome to continue his theological studies at the Pontifical College for Propaganda of the Faith. There, he learned Eastern languages, earning a doctorate in theology and philosophy in 1658.
He was later appointed bishop of Shkodra and administrator of the Diocese of Tivar. Between 1663-1664, he was known to and worked with Cardinal Barbarigo, who was based in Rome at the time.
In 1675, Bogdani began writing his book “Çeta e Profetëve” (“The Assembly of Prophets”), which he presented to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith for publication. The book was later translated and published in Venice in 1691 and 1702.
“Çeta e Profetëve” is one of the most significant works in Albanian literary heritage. As the first original work written in the Albanian language, it is a crucial contribution to Albanian literature, particularly because previous works by Albanian authors were primarily translations.
The book includes a series of poems written in multiple languages – Albanian, Latin, Italian, and Slavic – dedicated to Pjetër Bogdani by his friends and associates. Bogdani’s own poems, spread throughout the book, are a testament to the development of Albanian poetry in that era.
He was deeply committed to the Albanian language and culture, promoting the use of Albanian books during the Ottoman occupation and working tirelessly for the development of Albanian culture and the liberation of the country.
Pjetër Bogdani passed away on December 6, 1689, in Pristina, after being struck by the plague. His works left an indelible mark on Albanian literature and language, helping them to progress significantly.
