Kurti: Antonio Bellusci, one of the most unifying personalities throughout Albania

Kurti: Antonio Bellusci, one of the most unifying personalities throughout Albania

The Arber priest Antonio Bellusci has died at the age of 90.

Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti wrote about him and his contribution to national issues on Facebook on Thursday.

Kurti said that Bellusci was a key figure in the arboretum community in Italy, and one of the most unifying personalities throughout Albania.

“With deep sadness I received the news that our dear friend, the Protopresbyter of the Eparchy of Lungra, Father Antonio Bellusci, or Mr. Ndoni as his Arbëresh brothers called him, passed away. Antonio Bellusci was a key figure in the arborist community in Italy, and one of the most unifying personalities throughout Albania. His work in the 60s for the collection of ethnographic and linguistic materials of the Arvanites of Greece was extraordinary. He entered the homes of our brothers with his microphone to immortalize their language by proving its existence. Antonio Belusci lived and worked for the Arbëresh issue, for the Albanian issue”.

“His initiatives did not stop until the last hours. In 1966, he founded the magazine “Vatra nona” in “San Costantino Albanese”, in 1980 the magazine “Lidhja na Cosenza”, and also published dozens of volumes and articles. For his comprehensive contribution, he was honored by our Republic, where the President Mrs. Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu gave him ‘Honorary Citizenship of the Republic of Kosovo’. In such divisions there is nothing but irreparable lack. He took care to leave us a priceless treasure. His house in Frasnitë, the library “A. Bellusci”, is today a multifaceted asset, where in addition to thousands of volumes on Albanianology, he also founded a center of unique studies there. Our thoughts go out today to his family, friends and the entire Arber community. May his name, work and will be a source of inspiration for young researchers and for each of us”, wrote Kurti.