Kristo Kirka
| Kristo Dhimiter Kirka | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 1883 Korçë, Ottoman Empire |
| Died | April 28, 1955 Burrel Prison, Albania |
| Nationality | Albanian |
| Occupation | Politician, clerk, publicist |
| Known for |
Dielli newspaper Vatra Federation Balli Kombetar |
| Spouse(s) | Androniqi Kirka |
Kristo Kirka (1883-1955) was an Albanian patriot, diplomat, politician, and activist. He is one of the most contributing figures of the Albanian national cause.
Kirka was born in 1883 in Korçë, Ottoman Empire (today's Albania). Korçë was home of most of the activists of the Albanian National Awakening. He finished the elementary and high school in his home town in Greek language. From a young age he came in contact with Albanian patriotic circles of that time, following with a trial from the Ottoman authorities. Kirka skipped the trial and left the country, settling in Boston, MA in 1905.
Kirka got engaged with the Boston-based Besa-Besën organization founded in 1907. In 1908, he went to New York to participate the ceremony of ordination of Fan Noli together with Sotir Peci and others. Following the engagement of Noli with the Albanian Orthodox Church in US, Kirka became president of "Besa-Besën". After the merging of the society with other Albanian-American organization and the formation of Vatra, the Pan-Albanian Federation of America, Kirka became manager of Dielli newspaper and head of the Vatra's Boston branch. In 1913, he was sent to meet with Albanian Colony of Romania as a representative of Vatra, from there Kirka went to Durres to welcome the arrival of Prince Wied, newly elected Monarch of Albania.
In 1914 he joined the cheta of Themistokli Germenji, and left again for US in 1915. On July 4, 1915 he was elected vice-president of the Congress of Vatra, where was decided to send a delegation in Europe to support the Albanian cause together with the establishment of a support fund.
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