Odhise Paskali is considered one the most outstanding artists in Albania. He received his Diploma Di Laurea in Philosophical Studies from the University of Turin, Italy.
After his graduation, he stayed in Turin for another year to study sculpture with Ruffino.
Upon his return to Tirana, Paskali became one the founders of Albanian Sculpture.
He became very involved in many art-related organizations and dedicated his life to the development of art in Albania. Paskali has been awarded very prestigious titles for his artistic work. His monumental sculptures are placed on main squares of major cities in Albania. Photographs of his work are used on the Albanian passport, currency, stamps, postcards and other governmental publications.
Paskali was a sculptor, poet, essayist, translator, publisher and academician.
He spoke Latin, Ancient Greek, Modern Greek, Italian, French, German and English.
Odhise Paskali laid the foundations of monumental sculpture in Albania.
1903-1985

Creative years: 62

 Sculpture: 523 works

Essays: 810

 
December 22, 1903 Born in Kozani, Northern Greece.
1906 His family settled in Përmet, Albania.
1918 Finished the Greek Elementary School in Përmet.
July, 1921 Finished the "V Alfieri" High School at Torino, Italy.
July, 1923 Finished the Classical Lycée in Asti, Italy.
1926 From February to August he took sculpture lessons in Edouardo Rubini’s atelier
in Torino.
December 15, 1927 Diploma di Laurea in Lettere, with 100 out of 110, in the Faculty of Letters
at the Regia Università di Torino.

1929

 Editor of the cultural periodical Studenti Shqiptar (Albanian Student)
published in Torino.

April, 1931

 Founded the art society “Miqte e Artit” (Friends of Art) in Tirana, Albania.

May 21, 1931

 Organized in Tirana the first National Exhibition of Fine Arts to be held in Albania.

1931

 Member of the Committee for the Drama Contest founded by the “Friends of Art”.

1934

 Settled in Tirana.

March, 1934

 Together with Stephán Sioudi and Ismet Toto, he started the weekly cultural magazine Ilyria.

October 1934

 Director of the School of Drawing in Tirana until 1934,
when it closed (First School of Fine Arts in Albania).

1936

 Member of the Governmental Committee for the organization
of the Celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Albanian Independence.

1937

 In the international competition for the statue of Skanderbeg
(Albania’s national hero) organized by the Albanian government at Tirana
he came sixth out of the forty contestants.

September 1947

 Professor of the fine arts Lycée at Tirana until 1953.

1951

 Member of the Cultural Delegation which visited the USSR.

1957

 Director of the National Gallery of Fine Arts at Tirana.

November 1961

 Awarded the title “Sculptor of the People”.

1962

 Approved as a “Freelance Professional” with a steady, substantial salary.

1964

 Member of the cultural delegation of the Union of Albanian Writers
and Artists who visited China.

November 1965

 Awarded the Democracy Prize First Class.

December 1965

 Member of the International Committee of the Alexandria Biennale, Egypt.

1968

 The Albanian State offered him an honorary newly built private studio in Tirana.

1969

 The Bank of Albania issued a 1 lek coin depicting his sculpture
“The Victorious Partisan” (1968).

April 1970

 Awarded the “Democracy Prize” First Class for a second time.

November 1970

 Decorated with the order of “Naim Frashëri” First Class.

December 1973

 An official ceremony was organized at Tirana to honor his 70th birthday.

1980

 Catalogue published in Tirana with photographs of 23 of his works
(the first time for an Albanian sculptor).

1982

 Awarded the “Kemal Ataturk” medal by the Turkish government.

1983

 Decorated with the order of the “Red Flag of Labour” First Cass.

May 1984

 Elected member of the Academy of Sciences of Albania.

August 1985

 Elected member of the Euro-African Academy based in Rome.

September 13, 1985

 Died in Tirana. The President of the Republic was present at the official burial.

January 1986

 An annual “Odhise Paskali” prize for sculpture and painting established by governmental decree.

1986

 His book "Traces of Life" published in Tirana with biographical reminiscences and some 130 photographs of his sculptures.

1993

 The Bank of Albania issued a 100 lek banknote depicting his sculpture
“The National Fighter” (1932).

 

 The Bank of Albania issued a 500 lek banknote with the artist’s portrait of
Naïm Frashëri (Albania’s national poet).

 

 The Bank of Albania issued a 1000 lek banknote with artist’s portrait of
George Kastrioti Skanderbeg (1939).

1994

 The Bank of Albania issued Bono Privatizimi 15000,20000 and 40000 lekë
with artist 's portrait of Scanderbeg (1939).

1995

 The new passports of Albanian citizens have stamped the artist `s portrait of Scanderbeg (1939).

1997

 November,It is placed in Geneva (Switzerland) the bronze bust of Scanderbeg (1939), near the lake of Geneva. The current President of Albania participated in the inauguration ceremony.

2003

 The Albanian Post Office publishes a stamp with Paskali's portrait on the 100th anniversary of his birthday.

2003

 The main boulevard in the town of Permet  is named "Boulevard Odhise Paskali"

2005

 There is a memorial on Paskali's 20th death anniversary. Paskali's daughter publishes the book "For Paskali, From Paskali"

2007

 " Cultural Foundation Paskali" was founded in Tirana by his daughter.

2008

 In the town of Vlora, a street is named "Street Odhise Paskali".

2008

 In the town of Prizren (Kosovo), a street is named "Street Odhise Paskali".

Jan. 17 - April 17 2009

 

 The "Rebirth of Paskali" exhibit opens in the National Historical Museum of Tirana with 25 sculptural pieces of Paskali. The exhibit was organized from his daughter on the 105th anniversary of Paskali's birth. During this exhibit, the book "My Soul Revived" (810 philosophical essays created from 1922 to 1985) was introduced for the first time to the public.

2009

 The Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports, declares the year 2009 in Fine Arts as
 " Odhise Paskali Year"