Background
Kokona was born on August 8, 1913, in Izmir, Turkey, to an Albanian intellectual family, originating from Gjirokastra, Albania. His father, Elmaz, was a lawyer
Kokona was born on August 8, 1913, in Izmir, Turkey, to an Albanian intellectual family, originating from Gjirokastra, Albania. His father, Elmaz, was a lawyer
He finished in 1935 the lyceum of Korca, then pursued higher studies in law in Paris, France.
Upon the return of their family to Albania in 1920, he followed the primary school in Tirana. After his law studies Kokona was appointed to the Civil Court of Kruja, which office he did not accept. There, Kokona was distinguished as a gifted teacher.
Subsequently, in the early 40"s he was appointed at the Gymnasium of Tirana.
During the fascist invasion, when Kokona worked as a teacher, he was required to spy on the students and to deal with work that he could not accept due to his principles and character. This was the reason why he felt that he had to resign from the teaching profession.
After World World War II he went back to the Gymnasium of Tirana, now "Qemal Stafa" High School. In 1949 he was appointed as an editor and translator in the publishing house "Naim Frasheri" and as a professor of French at the University of Tirana, where he taught until retirement.
Vedat Kokona holds numerous titles, orders and decorations.