Riza Cerova

Early life and migration

Riza Cerova was born in the village of Cerovë in Skrapar region. In his early youth he attended school first in Thessaloniki and then in Constantinople. He returned in Albania in 1911. During 1913-1914 he participated in fights against Greek troops in southern Albania. He was enlisted in the Albanian army, and participated in the skirmish against the rebels of Elez Isufi in 1922. Riza Cerova was one of the leading figures of June Revolution of 1924, which overthrew the regime of Ahmet Zogu and installed a democratic government under Fan Noli. Following the defeat of June Revolution he migrated and joined the German Communist party in 1930. During that period he wrote many articles against King Zog I. Cerova's articles were published in media like Liria Kombëtare, a journal published by KONARE (Komiteti Nacional Revolucionar, National Revolutionary Committee), an organization founded by Fan Noli in Vienna with other participants of the 1924 revolution.

1935 Uprising

In March 1935 he returned to Albania from the Soviet Union and was one of the main leaders of Fier uprising. Cerova in the following months enrolled many peasants of the Mallakastra and Skrapar regions in the anti-Zogist movement. He was killed in a clash against government forces in the Mokra region in August 1935.

Legacy

After World War II and the establishment of Communism in Albania he became a hero figure. Several institutions are named after him and a documentary about his life was produced in 1978 He was rewarded People's Hero of Albania title.