Murat Labunishti was an Albanian revolutionary and member of the Bali Kombetar organization from Labunishta.

He was born on August 14, 1909 (according to some sources, 1913) in the village of Labunishta, in the Struga region, into a respected family. He completed his primary education in Labunishta and secondary education in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. He was fluent in Albanian, Macedonian, Turkish, French, and Italian.

In 1935, the authorities of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia expelled Murat and his brother from the country, after which they settled in Albania. He worked in several publishing houses that published his works. From the end of 1939 until October 1943, he worked as a secretary in the prefecture in Peking.

During World War II, he became the absolute ruler of the region in Struga known as Drimkol, on the slopes of Mount Jablanica, with the center in the village of Labunishta. He was a very charismatic person and a great military strategist. At the very beginning of the war, he returned to Labunishta. He was a member of the main command of the Greater Albanian nationalist organization "Bali Kombetare" (Bali Kombetare).

Upon arriving in Labunishta, he formed an organization called Guardians of Justice (Rrojtare te drejtesires) and had close relations with the Germans. He was a protector of Albanians during the war, but also protected the Christian population and did not allow the "Albanians" to take revenge on the Christian population for the crimes committed by the Serbian army in November 1913, when six intellectuals from Labunishta were shot, along with the imam at the place called Krasta, for which there was a desire for revenge. This was confirmed by the living Christians of that time as well. The partisans offered him a command position in the brigades in Western Macedonia, but he categorically refused, as he was a strong opponent of communism and remained loyal to the Albanian King Ahmed Zogu until the end.

When the partisans captured Ohrid and Struga on November 7-8, 1944, it became clear that the end of the fascist occupation of the Macedonian territories was near. However, Murat Labunishti with his army managed to defend himself until November 21, fighting fierce battles with several partisan brigades sent to Labunishta.

In the battles, his wife particularly stood out, who stayed to cover their backs until his army retreated to the territory of Albania. She alone killed dozens of communist soldiers and fought to the death with the partisans. Due to the damage he inflicted on the partisans and numerous crimes against the Macedonian Christian population, he was called a Ballist beast.

He was killed in 1946 by Albanian partisans, by order of the general staff of the Yugoslav National Liberation Army, on the bridge near the village of Shupenzi, close to the town of Peshkopia in present-day Albania.

Source

Poetry by MURAT LABUNISHTI

From the Waves of the Soul

1

Far from you, pale, I stand... like a dead muse, Far from you, I sway – like a dry tree, Like an eagle with clipped wings, Sick, I sail over a sea full of bitterness!

2

I count the stars and forgotten moons... ... They appear like a rainbow – die like a faded spark! I often burn, I am a living volcano Because Satan threw me like a fish on dry land!

3

When I look at your image with longing, I endure my misfortune with sadness and pain! ... My soul does not calm, my nights pass sleepless... And the voice of despair burns, becoming ash!

4

I admire you greatly, as you do not doubt, In divine visions, you heal my wounds! An angelic soul gives me strength To shine like a candle... to shed tears like a spring!

5

When I see you in inspiration in a dream, Ah... how happy I am, I do not recognize myself. And when I wake – amazed, I see where I am, Innocent in the darkness... I curse this misfortune... And with a deep "Ah," I close my eyes – I fall Like a meteor into some "Giant Forest"!

6

This world is a struggle full of suffering, Demons of tyranny harvest the freshest fruits. And intelligence changes its mission, Producing "gangsters" to conquer thrones!

7

The ocean of life has no end, An island to rest on cannot be found. ... Slowly I returned to my starting place, ... To study myself in a series of goals... Because those who wander long in thoughts, Some have gone mad, and some have drowned!

8

The spiritual world is a mirror of mysteries, If you do not understand it, you will sink, you will not be saved! If you want to see Heaven and Hell, You must know the whole world with all that is in it. Heaven is the fruit of a pure soul, A temple of goodness, blessed deeds. It is a light that never goes out. And hell are people with evil hearts, cursed, Who with their ugly deeds have disfigured the world, And completely forgotten their Creator!

9

Neither the sea, nor the Drim, nor the beautiful lake, Nor the silver water, clear and tasty, Nor the fertile fields, full of magical flowers, Nor the green forests that paint beauty, Nor the melodies of birds in spring, Nor the gentle zephyr in summer heat, Nor the Sun, Moon, Sky, Stars... Nor all the harmonies God has created, Comfort my soul and heart, Nor can my desires fulfill them.

10

Only the work of the pure spirit delights me, Takes away my sadness, longing – clarifies the world for me! The fire of love makes me stop, To pray to God, to bow... The light of blossoming makes me ecstatic, So much that, out of joy, I begin to cry!

Debar, November 1942

Source and translation from Albanian