Zef Skiroi
Encyclopedia
Giuseppe Schirò was an Arbëreshë
neo-classical poet, linguist, publicist and folklorist from Sicily
. His literary work marked the transition to modern Albanian literature in Italy.
After completing the Arbëreshë Seminar of Palermo
, he studied law. In the first period of his creativeness, Skiroi treated the patriotic tradition of Arbërisht
literature. Author of the poem "Mili and Hajdhia". Other works of his are "Songs of Liktor", "In a foreign country," "Folk songs of Albania".
He supported the local Mafia boss Francesco Cuccia
for mayor of Piana dei Greci in April 1922. Schirò was an unyielding opponent of Nicola Barbato
, the socialist leader of the town. He publicly defended the Mafia administration of Cuccia several times, considering it "the most suitable for the peaceful development of the best qualities of its people," able to open "a new period in our history." In a speech from the balcony of City Hall, he praised Cuccia to have had the merit and the courage "to have done away with that red flag of socialism from our community."
Arbëreshë
The Arbëreshë are a linguistic and ethnic Albanian minority community living in southern Italy, especially the regions of Apulia, Basilicata, Molise, Calabria and Sicily...
neo-classical poet, linguist, publicist and folklorist from Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
. His literary work marked the transition to modern Albanian literature in Italy.
After completing the Arbëreshë Seminar of Palermo
Palermo
Palermo is a city in Southern Italy, the capital of both the autonomous region of Sicily and the Province of Palermo. The city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old...
, he studied law. In the first period of his creativeness, Skiroi treated the patriotic tradition of Arbërisht
Arbëresh language
Arbëreshë, also known as Arbërisht, is an ethnolect spoken by the Arbëreshë, the group of Albanian-speaking minorities in Italy.-Classification:...
literature. Author of the poem "Mili and Hajdhia". Other works of his are "Songs of Liktor", "In a foreign country," "Folk songs of Albania".
He supported the local Mafia boss Francesco Cuccia
Francesco Cuccia
Francesco Cuccia, also known as Don Ciccio, was a member of the Sicilian Mafia and one-time mayor of Piana dei Greci . He is best known as the Mafia boss who triggered Benito Mussolini’s war on the Mafia, after humiliating the Duce while visiting Piana dei Greci in 1924...
for mayor of Piana dei Greci in April 1922. Schirò was an unyielding opponent of Nicola Barbato
Nicola Barbato
Nicola Barbato, , was a Arbëreshë socialist and politician. He was one of the national leaders of the Fasci Siciliani a popular movement of democratic and socialist inspiration in 1891-1894, and perhaps might have been the ablest among them, according to the Marxist historian Eric Hobsbawm.-Early...
, the socialist leader of the town. He publicly defended the Mafia administration of Cuccia several times, considering it "the most suitable for the peaceful development of the best qualities of its people," able to open "a new period in our history." In a speech from the balcony of City Hall, he praised Cuccia to have had the merit and the courage "to have done away with that red flag of socialism from our community."