Naqo Lame Qirko, patriot and participant of the Anti-Fascist National Liberation War, passed away. He was born in Këllëz of Lunxhëria, in 1914. Naqo finished primary school in his native village and went to work to help his family. Naqo opposed the regime of King Zog, as well as the fascist invasion on April 7, 1939. He embraced the national liberation movement from its beginnings. His house turned into a gathering base for the anti-fascist illegals of Gjirokastra. He was among the first to start actions against the Italians, as the commander of the Këllëz boys’ unit. Naqo was the commander of the “Mihal Duri” company of the “Misto Mame” partisan battalion. He led with intelligence and bravery in all actions against the invading enemy in Libohova, Kakavijë, Muzina and Gjirokastër. In February 1944, due to illness, he was assigned to organize guerrilla units of the villages of Lunxhëri and formed the Territorial Battalion with about 400 people, to go to the aid of the partisan forces. After the war, he continued his education and worked in the judicial bodies in Gjirokastër and Saranda, up to the position of the President of the Court. Naqo has been decorated with several war and labor medals from the Presidium of the People’s Assembly in those years. (In the photo: Naqo Lame Qirko)
Text: Jorgo Cirko
Photo: © “Qirko” family, personal archive
Graphic processing: AHCF
