1. Introduction
After the capitulation of Yugoslavia (April 1941), fascist Italy, based on a plan studied together with its allies Germany and Bulgaria, expanded the territory of the Albanian Kingdom by bringing under the jurisdiction of the official Tirana a part of the Albanian lands of Kosovo, Macedonia and Mali Black. For this purpose, with Viceroyal Decree no. 333, dated December 3, 1941, the Ministry of Freed Lands was created in the Government of Tirana, which operated until February 1943, to be replaced by other state institutions.
One of the problems that was pursued with priority during this period was the identification of Slavic toponyms in the Liberated Lands and their replacement with toponyms in the Albanian language. Slavic toponyms in these Albanian provinces were established decades and centuries ago by Serbian, Montenegrin and Bulgarian invaders. For the realization of this task, prominent personalities in the relevant field were officially engaged, such as Father Zef Valentini, professors Ahmet Gashi, Ndue Paluca, Filip Fishta, etc., closely cooperating with the officials of the Ministry of Freed Lands.
Part of the obligations in this area were carried out by the Royal Institute of Albanian Studies, which operated under the direction of the Prime Minister and consisted of Albanian and Italian researchers of Albanian language, literature, history and art.
In AXA, Fondi 161/12 (General Welfare), Year 1942, there are archival documents on the problems identified by the state authorities of that time of toponymy in Kosovo, as well as the list of toponyms of the Albanian territories of Kosovo, the Dukagjin Plain, Struga , Prespa, Tetovo, etc., prepared by the Institute of Albanian Studies.
also
Ferizaj – a product of Serbian state policy
Following this dossier, we will give the reader of the "Mapo" newspaper a part of these documents.
2. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs requests Albanian names for the Freed Lands
On June 8, 1942, the Civil Cabinet of the Viceroyalty-General, in response to the request of the Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, would officially send the Ministry of Freed Lands a list of land names of the new provinces, with the request that please let me know, as soon as possible, the relevant Albanian names that are in use or would be used.
In response to this request, with letter no. 1453/I, dated August 11, 1942 – XX, the Ministry of Liberated Lands, would notify the General Viceroyalty of the relevant Albanian names of the four countries that were urgently required at the railway stations.
a) On the line Ohrid - Struga - Skopje: Slavic name Arbinova - Albanian name Arbënija; Slavic name Oslomeni – Albanian name Rrëpinore; Slavic name Berikova - Albanian name Berrina.
b) On the line Skopje - Mitrovica: Slavic name Urosevac - Albanian name Ferizaj.
In this written communication, it was clarified that the city of Urosevac did not exist 80 years ago. In his place there was an inn called Hani i Ferizit, which is where the Albanian name Ferizaj comes from.
3. List of toponyms in the Albanian territory with the proposed pronunciations
Following the official communications, the Ministry of Liberated Lands sent the list of Slavic toponyms and proposals for names in the Albanian language, which we are giving below. Among other things, the use of the names of Albanian patriots such as Abdyl Frashëri, Bajram Curri for the pronunciations of Slavic toponyms is found. Safe translations in the archival document are underlined. In a small number of toponyms, the Albanian version is not given, which we have reflected with a question mark.
Dibra and Struga
Podmolje – Rranxa, Meševiste – Meshevistja, Novoselo – Shšati Ri, Drugovo – Drugova, Srbica – Koshëza, Veleste – Naltėsija, Labuniste – Labi, Jablanica – Jablanica, Kodzadzik – Koxhaxhik, Lazaropolje – Kastrioti, Galičnik – Galičniku, Žirovmica – Zhirovmica, Rostuša – Rostusha, Volkovija – Valkalija, Mavrovo – Mavraj, Niciforovo – Niqifori.
Overslept
Laskovec – Laskaj, Otesevo – Babaj, Perovo – Pepaj, Tsarev Dvor – Palati, Podmocane – Moçala, Kran – Kran, Nakolec – Nekolaj, Ljubojna – Miqesija, Lajmos (Lemos) – Kafa, Pisoderion – Pisha, Vatokhorion – Ferra, Katokhori – Lower Village, Moskhokhori - Moscow.
Tetovo
Zeljino – Blerimi, Strimnica – Shpati, Miletino – Miraj, Neproshteno – Neproshteni, Dzepciste – ?, Brodec – Kodra, Selce – Selcja, Brvenica – Brevenica, Tumeviste – Tumça, Volkovija – Valkalija, Srbinovo – Donika, Trnovo – Ferra, Simnica – Little Simna.
Central Kosovo
Stari Kaçanik – Old Kaçanik, Grlica – Qafza, Varos – Varoshi, Jazince – Jazhincja, Sevce – Sevcja, Urosevac – Ferizaj, Nerodimlje – Shtërporja, Staro Selo – Old Village, Belogradec – Bardheci, Pozarane – Flakadani, Gnjilane – Gjilani, Podgradje – Rranxa, Babus – Babushi, Stimlje – Stimla, Lipljan – Lipjani, or Ulpijana, Laplje Selo – Lapi, Gracanica – Gjyteza, Dobrevo – Miraj, Belacevac – Bardhaj, Caglovica – Cagla, Milosevo – Bajram Curri, or Milo Shini, Lebanje – Majta, Slovinje – Arëni, Obilic – Abdyl Frashëri, Kosovopolje – Fusha e Kosova, Dobri Dub – Lisi, Priluzje – Prelushi.
Metohija and the area of Prizren
Dečani – Deçani, Crmnjan – Cermniani, Gorazdevac – Malsija, Ratkovac – Luftari, Orahovac – Orahova, Zrze – Zerze, Rogovo – Rugova, Suva Reka – River, Movljane – Movlana, Bijelo Polje – White Field, Dobrusa – Mireza, Djurakovac – Gjergjaj, Vrelo – Vrela, Belica – Bardhjeza, Rozaj – Rozhaj, Ribarice – Peshkatari, Pridvorica – Kepallati, Srbica – Kosëza, Obrinjë – Avaraj.
Plava Basin
Kruševo – Dardha, Martinovici – Martinaj, Vojno Selo – Ushtrija, Novsici – Djelmnija, Rzanica – Rzhanica, Velika – Plaka.
Ulcinj area
Vladimir - Vladimiri, Pelinkovici - Pelinku.
Rivers and mountains
Šar Planina – Bjeshka e Shari, Stogova Planina – Bjeshka e Stogova, Milanovac Planina – Bjeshka e Milan, Crna Gora – Montenegro, Ljuboten – Lubotini, Nerodimka – Shkretija, Lepenac – Bukurija, Bistrica – Bistrica, Pecska Bistrica – Bistrica e Peja .
also
Serbification with Uroševac for Ferizaj, Skopje for Skopje...
Markets
Krajina - Kraja, Metohija - Metohija, Podgor - Rranxa, Podrima - Bregdrini, Kosovo Polje - Kosovo Plain, Prekoruplje - Prekorupi, Gornja Morava - Morava e Mali, Donji Polog - Lower Plain, Gornji Polog - Upper Plain, Mavrovo Poljet – Mavrajvet Field, Gornja Debrca – Malsija e Dibra.
Railway Stations
Ohrid - Strug
Skopje - Skopje, Ohrid - Ohrid, Podmolje - Rranxa, Struga - Struga, Vraniste - Vranaj, Tasmuroniste - ?, Trebeniste - Trebenishti, Meseiste - Mesevishta, Botun - Botuni, Novo Selo Ohridsko - New Village of Ohrid, Izdeglava - ?, Arbinovo – Arbëni, Slivovo – ?, Presek – Preseku, Klenovac – Klena, Malkovac – Malku, Izvor Ohridski – Gurra e Ohrid, Podvis Ohridski – Rranxa e Ohrid, Kicevo – Kirčova, Sveti Nikola – Shen Kolli, Oslomeni – Besa, Srbica – Kosëza, Tujno – Tujna, Dolenaka Rampa – Rampa e Lugut, Berikovo – Ganija, Bukojcani – Ashta, Bukovik Ohridski – Bukoviki i Ohrid, Zrkjlje – Zerqa, Donovica – Dona, Tajmiste – Tajmishta, Stretkovo – Mesi, Zimnica – Dimni, Zvezda – Hylli, Kunovo – Kunova, Gostivar – Gostivari, Vranovci – Vranti, Badovine – Badovina, Palaciste – Palçi, Tetovo – Tetova, Saracilce – Saraçi, Glumcin – Glumčini, Novo Selo Tetovsko – New village of Tetovo, Laskarci – Laskaj, Semeniste – Faraj, Glumovo – Gluma, Ðeneral Hanri – ?, Gornje Skoplje – Malsija e Skopje, Zipce – Gardhi.
Skopje - Mitrovica line
Skopje - Skopje, Gornje Skopje - Highlands of Skopje, General Hanri - ?, General Jankovic - ?, Kacanik - Kaçaniku, Grlica - Qafëza, Urosevac - Ferizaj, Babljak - Bablaku, Lipljan - Lipjani or Ulpijana, Kosovo Polje - Kosovo Field, Obilic - Abdyl Frashëri, Priluzje - Prelushi, Samodreza - Besabesa, Vucitrn - Vuciterna, Kosovska Mitrovica - Mitrovica.
Line Pejë - Fushë Kosovë
Pec - Peja, Hvosno - ?, Budisavic - Budi, Metohija - Metohija, Pograde - Rranxa, Dobro Voda - Ujmiri, Cerovik - Bajram Curri, Banjic - Bâja, Drenica - Dreni, Dobrosevci - Augusta, Belacevac - Bardhaj, Kosovo Polje - Fusha of Kosovo.
Line Fushë Kosovë - Pristina - Podujevë - Kurshumli
Kosovo Polje – Kosovo Field, Pristina – Pristina, Devet Jugovica – Nanda, Vrani Do – Vrana, Put – Rruga, Podujevo – ?, Kursumlija – Kurshumlija.
Line Rasha – Novipazari – Rozhaj – Kolashin
Raska - Rasha, Pilareta - Pilareta, Novipazar - Novipazari or Pazar i Ri, Bajevica - ?, Zunjevci - Zhunji, Ribarice - Peshkatari, Botrage - Botraga, Spiljane - Cave, Kolapare - Kolapara, Rozaj - Rozhaj, Zupanica - Zhupanza, Turjak - Turri, Trpeza – Treveza, Gidocelje – ?, Bjoce – ?, Ravna Reka – Reka, Mojkovac – ?, Kolasin – Kolashini.
4. Valentini, Gashi, Paluca and Fishta, compilers of the list of toponyms
The list of the above toponyms was forwarded to the Ministry of Liberated Lands, in Tirana, from the General Cabinet of the General Viceroy, on July 14, 1942. The letter clarified that this list was drawn up by Father Zef Valentini of the Institute of Albanian Studies, and that were waiting "to announce the Albanian denominations to be warned for other provinces".
Ministry of Released Lands, in response to letter no. 2/19705, dated July 14, 1942 – XX, on August 14, 1942, would be addressed to the General Viceroyalty and for the information of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, informing that "this Minister has examined the list of Slavic toponyms among the Free Countries with the corresponding Albanian one drawn up by Reverend Father Zef Valentini".
Following this letter, the Ministry of Freed Lands would emphasize that since they were dealing with a delicate problem that undoubtedly has a very great national importance, they felt it necessary to "charge them with the study of the matter to beat people in geographical and historical knowledge, both of old and new Albania and generally of the Balkan countries, and who deeply know the countries in Viset e Reja in particular; this in order to be able to determine as precisely as possible the corresponding Albanian names of the current Slavic ones in relation to the name that the countries in question had as long as possible before they were given Slavic or Greek names , either to replace these with old historical names as well as to give others, who cannot be extracted from history, new names of the brave and the Albanian national martyrs, as well as of the outstanding political and literary personalities ".
The prominent professors Ahmet Gashi, Ndue Paluca, and Filip Fishta, with the cooperation of the officials of the Ministry of Freed Lands, had very diligently worked on this study. Based on the work of these scientific authorities, a list of relevant Albanian toponyms was compiled, but this work could not be called completed, since the issue was considered very important and needed further consideration.
5. General welfare: Albanian toponymy should be regulated as soon as possible
Following the communication, on September 5, 1942, the Civil Cabinet of the General Viceroy asked the Ministry of Freed Lands to be informed about the definitive opinion of the Albanian Government regarding the Albanian designations of the lands that had recently been annexed to the Albanian Kingdom.
Not being very satisfied with the pace of work on toponymy problems, the General Viceroy, through the Diplomatic Cabinet, would notify the Ministry of Free Lands that the content of that Ministry's letter no. 1453/5, dated August 14, 1942, was notified to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs "which was aware that it is necessary that the issues pertaining to Albanian toponymy be settled as soon as possible, also for the reason that the status of surnames in the Serbo-Croatian language more than a year after the annexation of the lands to Albania can be interpreted as a sign of uncertainty of the situation in those provinces".
In fact, on this issue it was mentioned that "the Bulgarian government has been taking care of replacing the surnames in the Serbo-Croatian language of the lands administered by it with the corresponding surnames in the Bulgarian language".
Therefore, the Viceroyalty General drew attention to the Ministry of Freed Lands, on what was said above, and asked them to kindly let me know, as soon as possible, the decisions that would be taken about the matter in words.
Meanwhile, the Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Tirana, from the publishers of geographical maps and various publications on Albania and on the new territorial arrangement of the Balkans, received a request regarding the naming in the Albanian language of some countries of the lands of united last year, emphasizing the publishers themselves "that for clear reasons, there is a need to replace the current toponymy in the Serbo-Croatian language".
In relation to this request of the publishers, the Diplomatic Cabinet, in the General Viceroyalty, asked the Ministry of Freed Lands to "wait to know what the Royal Minister has in mind regarding the general issue of Albanian toponymy, please have the kindness Please show us as quickly as possible the names in the Albanian language for the toponyms shown in the attached list", which were marked by the Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the most urgent:
also
Hani i Elezit and the name that immortalized the Serbian general
Debar, Suva Reka, Gnjilane, Obilić, Galičnik, Mavrovo, Tsarev Dvor, Zeljioni, Saracilce, Grlica, Babljak, Lipljan, Rožaj, Podrima, Krajina, Kosovopolje, Gornje Polog, Donji Polog, Morava, Binacka Morava, Vasojevići, Monte Komovi, Mount Kruščica, Rogozna Planina, Čičavica Planina, Mokra Gora, Goljak Planina, Crnoljeva Planina, Suha Gora, Desat Planina, Jablanica Planina, Galičiča, Ilinske Planina, Ribariće, Zlokućane, Orahovac, Dobrova, Sitnica (river), Lepenac (river).
Of course, in addition to the regulations in the field of toponymy in the Liberated Lands, the state authorities of Tirana would also deal with the toponyms within the territory of Albania in 1913, some of which show the influence of the Italian occupying authorities/MAPO.
