Lecture from Dr. Elena Kocaqi – The Uprising of the Greater Highlands under the leadership of Dedë Gjon Luli and its role in the Independence of Albania

On August 25, 2026, at the “Malësia” Cultural Center, starting at 8 p.m., a lecture was held by Dr. Elena Kocaqi, a lawyer and historian by profession, where she spoke about the Malësia Uprising, the figure of Dedë Gjon Luli and the impact it had on the Independence of Albania.

The moderator of the evening was Dr. Nail Draga from Ulcinj, who led this evening in the most dignified way.
The organizer of this evening was the Albanian-American Institute, where the official opening of the lecture was made by the coordinator of this organization, Mr. Kolë Ivanaj.
Kolë Ivanaj greeted the gathering, thanked the participants and indicated that the plans and projects of the Institute will continue in the future.

Ms. Kocaqi, among other things, thanked the organizers and that it was the first time for her to visit Malësia. She considered the Malësia Uprising to be very positive for the Independence of Albania. He spoke about the Austrian documents that have written about the Uprising. He also showed that the figure of Dedë Gjon Luli is among the purest national figures since the period of Gjergj Kastrioti.

The Albanian-American Institute thanks all the participants who took part in this meeting.
Below we present the speech of the coordinator Mr. Kolë Ivanaj:

Honored ladies and gentlemen, dear Professor Dr. Elena Kocaqi, dear Dr. Nail Draga, dear expatriates, dear Malësia, on behalf of the Albanian-American Institute based in the USA and on my personal behalf, in my capacity as the coordinator of this organization, I wish you good evening and welcome to this important cultural activity, where a lecture will be given by the honorable Professor Mrs. Kocaqi on the Malësia Uprising led by Dedë Gjon Luli and its role in the Independence of Albania.
Professor, it is good that you have come to the Highlands, to the land of eagles, to the country that, although it has remained outside the administrative borders of Albania, has fanatically preserved its national identity. Thank you very much.

After the lecture, you are invited to ask the lecturers some questions.

This is the first activity of the Albanian American Institute in the Highlands. Also, allow me to invite you to the activity that will be held tomorrow evening in the same place and in the same hall where the book of the author Anton Lulgjuraj will be promoted. Without wanting to prolong it any longer, I declared the activity open.

Thank you all for participating. At the end of the activity we have a modest cocktail for all of you.