Përmet

Përmet (Albanian: [pəɾˈmɛt]) is a town and municipality in Gjirokastër County, southern Albania. The municipality of Përmet consists of the administrative units of Çarçovë, Frashër, Petran, Qendër Piskovë and Përmet.^[2][3] The total population is 7,980 as of 2023,^[a][1] in a total area of 602.47 km².^[4] The population of the municipal unit at the 2023 census was 4,809.^[5] It is flanked by the Vjosë river, which runs along the Trebeshinë-Dhëmbel-Nemërçkë mountain chain, between Trebeshinë and Dhëmbel mountains, and through the Këlcyrë Gorge.

Përmet
Municipality
Emblem
Përmet
Coordinates: 40°14′N 20°21′E
Country	Albania
County	Gjirokastër
Government
• Mayor	Alma Hoxha (PS)
Area
• Municipality	602.47 km2 (232.61 sq mi)
Population  (2023[1])
• Municipality	7,980
• Municipality density	13/km2 (34/sq mi)
• Municipal unit	4,809
Demonym(s)	Albanian: Përmetar (m), Përmetare (f)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal Code	6401
Area Code	(0)813
Website	bashkiapermet.gov.al

Name

The town itself is known in Albanian as Përmet. The town is known in Italian as Permet, Aromanian as Pãrmeti,^[6] in Greek as Πρεμετή/Premeti^[7][8] and in Turkish as Permedi.^[9]

History

14th century

In 14th century Përmet came under Ottoman rule and became first a kaza of the sanjak of Gjirokastër and later of the Sanjak of Ioannina.^[10][11]

18th century

During the era of conversions to Islam in the 18th century, Christian Albanian speaking areas such as the region of Rrëzë strongly resisted those efforts, in particular the village of Hormovë and the town of Përmet.^[12]

In 1778, a Greek school was established and financed by the local Orthodox Church and the diaspora of the town.^[13]

19th century

After a successful revolt in 1833 the Ottoman Empire replaced Ottoman officials in the town with local Albanian ones and proclaimed a general amnesty for all those who had been involved in the uprising.^[14] The artisans of the kaza of Përmet held the monopoly in the trade of opinga in the vilayets of Shkodër and Janina until 1841, when that privilege was revoked under the Tanzimat reforms.^[15] In 1882 Greek education was expanded with the foundation of a Greek girls' school subsidized by members of the local diaspora that lived in Constantinople, as well as the Greek national benefactor, Konstantinos Zappas.^[13] The first Albanian-language school of the town was founded in the beginning of 1890 by Llukë Papavrami, a teacher from Hotovë, who had the endorsement of Naim Frasheri.^[16][17] A great contribution for the Albanian school was given by philanthropists Mihal Kerbici, Pano Duro and Stathaq Duka. Duro and Kerbici financed until 1896 the salaries of five teachers, whereas Stathaq Duka bequeathed in 1886 scholarships for studies in the schools of Jurisprudence and Medicine.^[17]

20th century and modern day

In 1909 during the Second Constitutional Era the authorities allowed Albanian language to be taught in the local madrasah.^[18] It was a kaza centre as "Premedi" in Ergiri sanjak of Yanya Vilayet till 1912.

During the Albanian Revolt of 1912 the Albanian revolutionary leaders Menduh Zavalani and Spiro Bellkameni, alongside Nexhip Bënja and Servet Frashëri, officially evicted the Ottoman kaymakam and freed Përmet from Ottoman control on 14 August.^[19] Later in 1912, during the First Balkan War the population founded a committee that had as its goal the organization of the local resistance with help from government of Vlora and chetas operating across Southern Albania. In a 28 December rally through the town centre people of Permet agreed they must fight where the nation most needed.^[20] In February 1913, units of the advancing 3rd Division of the Greek Army entered the town without facing Ottoman resistance,^[21] while the resistance of the local population was not sufficient due to small amount of arms.^[20] In 1914, Përmet became part of the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus, which then was annexed back to the Albanian state.^[22]

During the Greco-Italian War, on December 4, 1940, the town came under the control of the advancing forces of the Greek II Army Corps.^[23] Përmet returned to Axis control in April 1941. In May 1944 the National Liberation Movement held in the town the congress, which elected the provisional government of Albania.^[24]

In August 2013, demonstrations took place^[25] by the local Orthodox community as a result of the confiscation of the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin and the forcible removal of the clergy and of religious artifacts from the temple, by the state authorities.^[26][27] The Cathedral was allegedly not fully returned to the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania after the restoration of Democracy in the country.^[28] The incident provoked reactions by the Orthodox Church of Albania and also triggered diplomatic intervention from Greece.^[27][29]

Demography

The stone of the city and the mosque

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1950	1,918	—
1960	3,391	+76.8%
1969	4,300	+26.8%
1979	5,300	+23.3%
1989	7,313	+38.0%
2001	7,726	+5.6%
2011	5,945	−23.1%
2023	4,809	−19.1%
Source: [30][31][32]

The total population is 7,980 as of the 2023 census. The population of the former municipality at the 2011 census was 4,809.^[5]

History

• 1930: Përmet had 1,000 houses, 300 shops, was an important regional trade centre and its population was Muslim.^[33]

Modern

In Përmet, apart from Muslim and Christian Albanian communities, Greeks and Aromanians are also found in a number of neighbourhoods.^[34]

Culture

Përmet is known for its cuisine, particularly the many different types of jam (reçel) and kompot (komposto), and the production of local wine and raki.^[35]

Sports

Përmet is also home to the football club SK Përmeti and basketball club KB Përmeti.

Notable people

• Kamber Ali, 3rd Dedebaba of the Bektashi Order.
• Laver Bariu, clarinetist.
• Ilirjan Çaushaj, footballer.
• Saint Christos the Arvanid, Albanian saint.
• Abdyl Frashëri, Albanian politician and national hero.
• Dalip Frashëri, 19th-century poet.
• Mehdi Frashëri, former Prime Minister of Albania.
• Mid'hat Frashëri, Albanian politician, diplomat, and intellectual.
• Naim Frashëri, Albanian national poet and national hero.
• Sami Frashëri, Albanian writer and national hero.
• Shahin Frashëri, 19th-century poet.
• Abaz Hilmi, 5th Dedebaba of the Bektashi Order.
• Vasileios Ioannidis, Greek theologian and professor.
• Dhimitër Kacimbra, Albanian politician.
• Ervis Kaja, footballer.
• Antoneta Papapavli, actress.
• Odhise Paskali, sculptor and People's Artist of Albania.
• Turhan Përmeti, politician and former Prime Minister of Albania.
• Stefanaq Pollo, historian.
• Edison Qafa, footballer.
• Simon Stefani, politician.
• Mentor Xhemali, singer.
• Mihal Zallari, Chairman of the Assembly of Albania, historian, and journalist.
• Fehim Zavalani, Albanian journalist.

See also

• List of mayors of Përmet
• Fir of Hotova National Park

Notes

1. The population of the municipality results from the sum of the listed administrative units in the former as of the 2011 Albanian census.

References

1. "Main Results of the Population and Housing Census 2023". INSTAT.
2. "A new Urban–Rural Classification of Albanian Population" (PDF). Instituti i Statistikës (INSTAT). May 2014. p. 15. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 November 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
3. "Law nr. 115/2014" (PDF) (in Albanian). p. 6371. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
4. "Correspondence table LAU – NUTS 2016, EU-28 and EFTA / available Candidate Countries" (XLS). Eurostat. Retrieved 2019-09-25.
5. "Population and housing census - Gjirokastër 2011" (PDF). INSTAT. Retrieved 2019-09-25.
6. "Gazeta Fârshârotu nr. 32".
7. Eduardo D. Faingold (2010). The Kalamata Diary: Greece, War, and Emigration. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 77–. ISBN 978-0-7391-2890-9.
8. Owen Pearson (11 July 2006). Albania in the Twentieth Century, A History: Volume II: Albania in Occupation and War, 1939-45. I.B.Tauris. pp. 82–. ISBN 978-1-84511-104-5.
9. Erdal, İbrahim (2006), Mübadele: uluslaşma sürecinde Türkiye ve Yunanistan 1923-1925, IQ Kültür Sanat Yayıncılık. p. 186. "Permedi".
10. History of the Albanian people p. 85
11. Karpat, Kemal H. (1985). Ottoman population, 1830–1914: demographic and social characteristics. University of Wisconsin Press. p. 146. ISBN 9780299091606. Retrieved 22 September 2011.
12. Gerogiorgi, Sofia (2002). "Επιγραφικές μαρτυρίες σε λειψανοθήκη από τη Βόρεια Ήπειρο". Δελτίον της Χριστιανικής Αρχαιολογικής Εταιρείας. 23: 79. "Ιδιαίτερη εντύπωση προκαλεί η ισχυρή αντίσταση που προέβαλαν ορισμένες περιοχές στο έντονο κύμα εξισλαμισμών του 18ου αιώνα, όπως οι περιοχές της Ζαγοριάς (όπου υπάγεται η Κόνσκα και η Σέπερη), της Ρίζας (όπου υπάγεται το Χόρμοβο και η Πρεμετή) και της Λιντζουριάς, μολονότι κατοικούνταν από αλβανόφωνους χριστιανούς."
13. Koltsida, Athina. "Warning - Aristotle University of Thessaloniki - Psifiothiki" Η Εκπαίδευση στη Βόρεια Ήπειρο κατά την Ύστερη Περίοδο της Οθωμανικής Αυτοκρατορίας (PDF) (in Greek). Aristotle University of Thessaloniki: 131, 214, 406. Retrieved 7 June 2015. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
14. Stefanaq Pollo (1983). Historia e Shqipërisë: Vitet 30 të shek. XIX-1912. Akademia e Shkencave e RPS të Shqipërisë, Instituti i Historisë. p. 85. Shtrirja e gjerë e kryengritjes, që fillonte nga Skrapari e Kurveleshi, në Myzeqe e në Vlorë e deri në Çamëri, e detyruan Portën e Lartë të hiqte dorë nga rekrutimi i ushtarëve nizamë, të shpallte amnistinë dhe të lejonte vendosjen e disa shqiptarëve si qeveritarë në kazatë e Beratit, të Vlorës, të Tepelenës, të Gjirokastrës e të Përmetit dhe emërimin e të tjerëve si komandantë në garnizonet e kështjellave të Beratit, të Gjirokastrës etj.
15. History of the Albanian people pp. 45–6
16. [Qemal Haxhihasani, “Kërkime dhe Vëzhgime Folklorike në rrethin e Përmetit”, Buletin I Universitetit Shtetëror të Tiranës seria Shkencat Shoqërore Nr. 2, V. 1959 f. 121.]
17. Nuri Dragoj Treva e Përmetit Në Periudhën e Viteve 1912-1944 pXIII
18. Academy of Sciences of Albania, History of the Albanian people p.401
19. Bezati, Kastriot (28 November 2016). "Përmeti, qyteti i vetëm ballkanik, i djegur 4 herë brenda një viti nga nazifashistët" (in Albanian). Gazeta telegraf. Retrieved 21 September 2021. Përmeti u çlirua nga pushtuesit shekullorë osmanë më 14 gusht 1912 nga çetat e lirisë të komanduara nga Menduh Zavalani.
20. Nuri Dragoj (2015). Përmeti nga lufta për pavarësi ne pushtimin grek: (Veprimtari atdhetare dhe politike) (in Albanian). Toena. pp. 5–7. ISBN 9789928199812.
21. A concise history of the Balkan Wars, 1912-1913 (1.udg. ed.). Athens: Hellenic Army General Staff. 1998. p. 201. ISBN 9789607897077. On 22 February, Division III moved from Korytsa towards Premeti, by way of Leskovik, meeting no Turkish resistance.
22. Kondis, Basil (1976). Greece and Albania: 1908-1914. Thessaloniki: Institute for Balkan Studies, New York University. p. 125. ISBN 9798840949085. Besides Argyrokastro, the Autonomous North Epirus included the towns of Chimara, Delvino, Santi Quaranta, and Premeti
23. John Carr. The Defence and Fall of Greece 1940-1941, p. 90
24. Vickers, Miranda (1999). The Albanians: a modern history. I.B.Tauris. p. 155. ISBN 9781860645419.
25. Barkas, Panagiotis (17 August 2013). "Violent Clashes against Clergy and Faithful in Permet". skai.gr. Athens News Agency. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
26. "International Religious Freedom Report for 2014: Albania" (PDF). www.state.gov/. United States, Department of State. p. 4. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
27. Diamadis, Panayiotis (Spring 2014). "Clash of Eagles with Two Heads: Epirus in the 21st Century" (PDF). American Hellenic Institute Foundation Policy Journal: 7–8. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 18 October 2015. Clergy and faithful were violently ejected from an Orthodox church in Premeti during the celebrations for the Assumption of the Virgin Mary on 16 August 2013, by private security and municipal authorities. Religious items such as icons and utensils were also confiscated.
28. Abrahams, Fred (1996). Human rights in post-communist Albania. New York [u.a.]: Human Rights Watch. p. 157. ISBN 9781564321602. A further point of contention between the Albanian Orthodox Church and the Albanian government is the return of church property.... In addition many holy icons and vessels of the Orthodox Church are being held in national museums, allegedly because of the Albanian government is concerned with protecting these valuable objects.... other church property that have been allegedly not been fully returned by the state include, the Cathedral of the Assumption in Permet
29. "Conflict in Permet about the Church, police takes control of the House of Culture". Independent Balkan News Agency. August 28, 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
30. "Cities of Albania".
31. "Albania: All places/communes".
32. "Census of Population and Housing". Institute of Statistics Albania.
33. Hammond, Nicholas Geoffrey Lemprière (1967). Epirus: the Geography, the Ancient Remains, the History and Topography of Epirus and Adjacent Areas. Oxford: Clarendon Press. p. 132. ISBN 9780198142539. "The main centre of trade is Permet, where there is a bridge over the Vjosë. The town had about 1,000 houses in 1930, and 300 of these were shops. A crag in the town is said to be an ancient site. I climbed up into it. There are ruins of some medieval houses and the remains of a church on top, but the rock is not cut or levelled at all. While Permet is Mohammedan, the village to the west on the slopes of Mt. Nemerçkë are Christian."
34. Kitsaki, Georgia (2011). "Ethnic Groups: Identities and Relationships in the Greek-Albanian Border". In Nitsiakos, Vassilis; Mursic, Rajko; Manos, Ioannis (eds.). Balkan Border Crossings: Second Annual of the Konitsa Summer School. LIT Verlag. pp. 149–150. ISBN 9783643800923. Greeks ... as well as in neighbourhoods in Përmet and Çarshovë. ... Vlachs also live in mixed neighbourhoods in Përmet, Çarshovë and Leskovik.
35. Gillian Gloyer (7 January 2015). Albania. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 147. ISBN 978-1-84162-855-4.

Sources

• Lauria, Antonio; Flora, Valbona; Guza, Kamela (27 December 2020). Five Albanian Villages: guidelines for a Sustainable Tourism Development through the Enhancement of the Cultural Heritage (PDF). Firenze University Press. ISBN 978-88-5518-174-7. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 November 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
• Blocal, Giulia (5 October 2014). "Përmet and the Balkan side of Albania". Blocal Travel blog.
• History of the Albanian people II 1830–1912. Academy of Sciences of Albania. 2002.

External links

• bashkiapermet.gov.al – Official Website (in Albanian)