Giuseppe Valentini (albanologist)

Giuseppe Valentini (1900-1979) was an Italian albanologist, Roman Catholic priest, and scholar specializing in Albanian language, history, and culture. Born in Schiro, a comune in the province of Palermo, Sicily, home to an Arbëreshë community, he dedicated his life to the study and promotion of Albanian heritage.

Valentini is best known for his extensive research into Albanian folklore, law, and customary practices, particularly those of the Gheg regions in northern Albania. He meticulously documented and analyzed Kanun, the traditional Albanian customary law, producing scholarly works that remain crucial resources for understanding Albanian legal history and social structures. His work provided valuable insights into the unwritten laws and social norms that governed Albanian society for centuries.

Valentini's contributions extended beyond customary law. He also published extensively on Albanian language, literature, and history. His writings explored the origins and development of the Albanian language, the evolution of Albanian literary traditions, and the broader historical context of Albanian society.

He was a key figure in fostering academic and cultural exchanges between Italy and Albania, particularly during the difficult period of the communist regime in Albania. Valentini's scholarship helped to preserve and disseminate knowledge of Albanian culture and history to a wider audience, both within and outside Albania. His dedication cemented his position as a prominent figure in Albanian studies.