Shote Galica

Once upon a time, in the green hills and big mountains of Kosovo, there lived a girl named

Shote, though her real name was Qerime Radisheva. She was born in a small village called

Radishevë. Life in the village was simple, but the people were strong, and so was she.

Shote was special from the very beginning. Her father, Halil, was overjoyed when she was

born, after having six sons. From a young age, Shote was brought into men’s rooms and

gatherings, spaces where women were rarely seen. There, she listened closely to stories of

warriors and heroes who defended Albanian lands.

As Shote grew older, she played the çifteli, a traditional instrument, and sang songs of

bravery and freedom. She sang about resistance and Kosovo. Her voice was clear and proud.

One day, she met a brave young fighter named Azem Galica. They fell in love, and when she

married him, she didn’t become just a wife, she became soldier too.

Together, Shote and Azem climbed into the mountains to fight for their people. Kosovo had

been taken by foreign armies, and villages were burned, homes destroyed, and families hurt.

Shote had seen her own village burn twice. But instead of running away, she was brave and

wanted to fight back. And she did.

Even though women were not expected to fight in battles, Shote put on men’s clothing, not to

pretend, but because it made it easier to move and fight alongside the others. She wanted to

show that courage wasn’t just for men. She was strong, smart and fearless. She led fighters

through the forests of Drenica, Junik, and Luma, helping her people resist those who hurt

them. She even captured bad guys and soldiers!

But was was not easy. In 1925, Shote lost Azem in a battle. Her heart was broken, but she

knew what she had to do. She wiped her tears, stood tall, and took over Azem’s place as

commander of the group. She fought with her friends and never gave up on the dream of a

free and peaceful Kosovo.

But even heroes grow tired. In 1927, after years of battle, hunger and sorrow, Shote went to

Fushë-Kruja, hoping to rest and heal. She took care of four orphaned children, children of her

fallen fighters, sharing her food and love with them. She wrote a letter to King Zogu of

Albania, asking for help, but no help came. On July 3, 1927, Shote Galica passed away.

Shote reminds us that girls can be warriors, that love for your people can be stronger than

fear, and that sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is stand up for what’s right, even

if you’re the only one standing.

By Veronica Hibbert