Losing our captain Jorgji Qirjako

Tirana Times
By Tirana Times August 16, 2021 11:22

Losing our captain Jorgji Qirjako

"Dear Jorgji you are one of my dearest friends because both you and I know how to value the spiritual heritage of Kolonja. You re a wise man, a man of real culture which has always been dedicated to knowledge." - Dritero Agolli

Alba Cela

Jorgji Qirjako -one of the most prominent names in the fields of philology, history and translations, and a dear friend to more than anyone can count passed away yesterday in a hospital in London due to a critical disease.

Jorgji Qirjako, born in Kolonja and always in love with it, celebrated his 70th birthday this February, being honored by the President of the Republic Ilir Meta with the title of 'Grand Master', with the motivation “In appreciation of the tireless and precious work as a translator of political, social and artistic works and for his outstanding contributions to the archaeological, ethnographic and folklore expeditions in Kolonjë, representing them with dignity and elevating their values in national and international festivals.” 

Immediately after graduation, Qirjako started to make his contribution to the promotion of the Albanian history, culture and traditions. President Meta, while acknowledging Qirjako’s work, said that “For about 25 years, Mr. Qirjako led the cultural and artistic activity in the district of Kolonja, giving a special contribution to the direction and organization of archaeological, ethnographic and folklore expeditions.”

During his career, Qirjako has contributed to the organization of the Historical Museum of Kolonja, the Museum of Popular Culture and the Museum of Education in Kolonja, as well as the Museum of Borova.

After moving to Tirana, for 20 years Qirjako has contributed to the civil society, as Deputy Director for the Albanian Institute for International Studies where his passion, commitment and team spirit has been one of the foundation blocks of the organization. 

Finally he has translated in Albanian some of the most famous political and international relations authors, such as Huntington, Fukuyama, Kissinger, and other important academic publications, university textbooks, or selected novels of the world literature and has been awarded in one of the annual book fairs of Tirana as the best translator of the year. 

Jorgji is survived by the family he so doted on: his wife, three children and several grandkids that will be forever proud and blessed to have had him.

To those that have known Jorgji Qirjako, his eternal torch of spirit filled to the brim with laughter, kindness and smarts death is not fearful. For nothing can tear away our captain from us, not even this departure from earth. For the infinite wisdom he portrayed with his impeccable work in linguistics and the enormous net of friendship he nurtured all over the world makes death envious. 

None can replace his warm friendship and our tables are now silent from the toasts and the songs that only he could perform bringing us joy and gratitude for life itself. 

To you our dear friend, with a heavy heart, we recite:

O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done,

The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won,

The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,

While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;

                      But O heart! heart! heart!

                         O the bleeding drops of red,

                            Where on the deck my Captain lies,

                               Fallen cold and dead.

Tirana Times
By Tirana Times August 16, 2021 11:22