Biography

Maksi is a unique individual who combines a career as a military officer with a deep commitment to historical research. He has balanced a disciplined military career with his academic pursuits in history. With a Ph.D. in History, his story is one of dedication and passion, weaving together two distinct yet complementary worlds. 

He was born in the city of Gjirokaster, Albania, on November 29, 1948, into the Ilirjani family originally from the village of Dames in Tepelenë, to parents Tahir and Metullahe, along with two brothers and four sisters.

In September 1956, he returned to the city of Tepelenë, where he attended the 11-year "Abaz Shehu" School. In 1962, at the age of 13, he went to the "Skënderbej" military school in Tirana, where he completed his officer training, and then continued his studies in History-Geography at the University of Tirana from 1967 to 1971. On July 25, 2071, he married Mrs. Natasha Gaçi, with whom he has two children, Edlira and Ermal Ilirjani.

After completing higher education, he and his wife transferred to the historically rich city of Shkodra, where he was appointed to the Shkodra Division, primarily responsible for defending the country's northern region. Over the past 10 years in this Division, he performed various duties, spending the latter years in the Education  sector.

While continuing his military career, he became further engaged in military history, a passion that was also a result of his many years of education in this field. 

Some of his most notable works include "The History of Military Art of the National Liberation Anti-Fascist War of the Albanian People" (1989), a publication of the Military Press, “The History of the National Liberation Anti-Fascist War of the Albanian People” (1984, 1986, 1988, 1989), a "8 Nëntori" publishing house (4 volumes), contributing as a co-author, and his contribution to the first volume of the “Albanian Encyclopedic Dictionary” (1985). These years of service in institutions and literary creations established him as an authority in the field of military history and a distinguished contributor to the production of historical knowledge in Albania.

This commitment to research and study would influence his preparation for the post-war period and further personal and professional development in the following years. After the 1990s and the fall of communism, Maksim Ilirjani, under the conditions of a deep economic and social collapse, engaged in various business activities, being among the first entrepreneurs in Albania .

In 2002, following his wife's appointment as Consul at the Albanian embassy in Budapest, they went together as embassy staff. This period marked his engagement in representing the country in numerous activities in Hungary, and served as a bridge between Albanian and Hungarian business, contributing to the establishment of contacts and joint business activities. He was also an active part of the Albanian expatriate group in Hungary, organizing many activities and initiatives aimed at reviving the spirit and tradition of Albania among the expatriates.

In 2005, after retiring in Albania, Maksim Ilirjani and his wife Natasha moved to Worcester, Massachusetts, USA, near their daughter Edlira where they helped raise two wonderful grandsons, Brent and Alex  for many years.  Maksim and Natasha,  became citizens of the United States. During this period, Maksim engaged in various jobs in the Retail Industry, not only securing income until retirement but also creating a network of friends in the Albanian community in Worcester. A special connection of the Ilirjani family was formed with the St.Mary's Albanian Orthodox Church in Worcester, where he was baptized,

During this period, Maksi was an active part of community and patriotic groups at the Church of Albanian  Saint Mary in Worcester, contributing to the organization of social, humanitarian, and cultural activities such as the Albanian Festival, the Men's Club, and the campaign for earthquake relief in Albania, among others.

Today, Maksi enjoys daily company with a group of friends, sharing a passion for fishing, and engaging a wider audience through a recent podcast.