“Banda e Lirisë”, one of the first artistic societies before the declaration of Independence

On 1 October 1908, the Artistic Society “Banda e Lirisë” was founded in Korçë.

The founding of “Banda e Lirisë” was considered an important cultural event, initiated by the “Dituria” Club. The society, which had gathered around 40 instrumentalists under the direction of maestro Paskal Anibale, became one of the first artistic organizations in the country in the period before the declaration of Albania’s Independence.

Besides music, “Banda e Lirisë” also carried out various artistic and cultural activities, such as theatrical performances, formed dance groups, and at the same time helped spread national feeling and strengthen Albanian identity.

It was precisely this cultural activity, accompanied by the spread of patriotic ideas, that drew the attention of the Ottoman authorities, which, seeing the “Banda e Lirisë” society as a factor in raising Albanian national consciousness, forced it to cease its activity in December 1911.