Vithkuqi Small Letter Be

It writes the /b/ consonant in Albanian.

Veqilharxhi began devising Vithkuqi around 1824. His 1844 spelling book uses Greek for its main text; the 1845 book sets Albanian text and Greek explanations in Vithkuqi.

Why did Veqilharxhi create Vithkuqi?

To give Albanian readers a shared script.

He hoped its original letters would unite Albanian Muslim, Eastern Orthodox Christian, and Catholic Christian readers rather than favor Greek, Latin, or Arabic scripts tied to different religious communities.

Did Vithkuqi catch on?

It reached local readers but never became everyday Albanian writing.

The primer circulated from Korça to Berat. An 1845 letter reports warm support in Korça. Printing required special type, adding costs; Veqilharxhi died in 1846.