Guardians of the country – 1969 – Spiro Kristo
People’s Socialist Republic of Albania
Everything you want – or need – to know about Albania ….
…. or almost. If not already it is hoped in the not too distant future to be able to answer many questions people might have about the small Balkan country that has been the centre of conflict for centuries.
What follows are links to pages or posts that try to fill in the gaps of peoples’ knowledge of a country that was vilified for trying to maintain a real independence in the face of severe difficulties caught up, as it was, in the ideological struggle within the International Communist Movement which saw breaks first with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in 1961 and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in 1978.
Enver Hoxha
Enver Hoxha
The great Marxist-Leninist leader who led the Party and the country after liberation in November 1944 until his death in April 1985;
Memoirs, diary selections and compilations of articles
Nexhmije Xhuglini (Hoxha)
February the 8th 2021 – the centenary of the birth of Nexhmije Xhuglini (Hoxha)
Socialist Albania
The overwhelming emphasis is upon the period from the beginning of the National Liberation War against fascism in 1942 to the success of the counter-revolution in 1990. Here you will find links to material that tells you about the;
Albanian history – publications from the Socialist Period of Albanian History (1944-90) providing details of the economy and society in the time of socialism.
History of the Party of Labour of Albania (the Marxist-Leninist Communist Party that led the Albanian people in the fight against the fascist invaders and then towards the construction of Socialism from 1944-1990)
Documents produced by the Party of Labour of Albania which give an idea of how the party saw the construction of socialism in an Albanian context as well as comments on the developments within the International Communist Movement
The Party of Labour of Albania against Russian, Yugoslav and Chinese Revisionism, a collection of articles taken from Albanian magazines from the 1970s and 1980s.
many (still unfortunately not all) of the issues of the monthly political and informative review Albania Today, from 1971 to 1990
various issues of the bi-monthly, large format, political, social and cultural illustrated periodical New Albania
views of Albania and its efforts to construct socialism whilst under great threat from the encircling capitalist, revisionist and imperialist countries from fraternal parties and friendship organisations in countries throughout the world
articles and speeches of (the later to be disgraced) Mehmet Shehu
and some of the writings of the last leader of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Ramiz Alia.
The Party of Labour of Albania (Partia e Punës e Shqipërisë, PPSH)
The Party of Labour of Albania was the name chosen, in 1948, as the Revolutionary Communist, Marxist-Leninist Party to lead the country and its people in the construction of Socialism. The Party was founded as the Communist Party of Albania on 8th November 1941 and under that name led the country to victory in the National Liberation War against the invading Fascists, first the Italian and then the German Nazis.
History of the Party of Labour of Albania
Documents of the Party of Labour of Albania
… was a political and informative review produced bi-monthly from the first issue that appeared in November/December at the end of 1971 until everything hit the fan in 1990.
Albania Today: Index 1971 – 1979, Index 1980 – 1984, Index 1985 – 1990
Albania Today: 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979 (missing), 1980 (missing), 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987 (missing), 1988, 1989, 1990.
… was a political, social and cultural illustrated periodical appearing bi-monthly in Albanian, Chinese, Russian, French, English and Arabic. It started its publication in the early days of the Socialist Republic, in 1947, and was published until everything fell apart in Albania in 1991.
Albanian History
Documents related to the history of Albanian as well as those relating to issues of women, the trade unions, youth and culture, amongst others.
28th November 2012 – A hundred years of Albanian Independence?
29th November 1944 – the date of true independence for Albania
Literature, art, sculpture, mosaics and the Albanian Cultural Revolution
Albanian Lapidar Project – description and photos of the Lapidars (Monuments), statues, bas reliefs and mosaics
Here you will find a list of those Albanian Lapidars which I have been able to visit, photograph and then write about what the images represent. The numbering system is that established in Volume 1 of the Albanian Lapidar Survey – carried out in 2014 by researchers and photographers of the Department of Eagles.
The Albanian Cultural Revolution
Articles and speeches from leaders and commentators, during Albania’s Socialist period, on the Cultural Revolution, literature and art.
Art as a means of promoting Socialism in Albania
Included here are links to various exhibitions that will, hopefully, provide an idea of the unique characteristics of Albanian Socialist Realist art and especially the monumental sculptures known as lapidars. The paintings and small sculptures that were on display in the Tirana National Art gallery. According to the most recent information I have available it is still ‘closed for renovation’ and was supposed to have re-opened in 2023 but there’s no sign of that yet. Whenever it does re-open whether it will have on permanent display those works of art which are attached to some of the posts listed will be, I fear, unlikely.
As for the lapidars the majority of them have been either left to decay or have been the subject of official or ‘unofficial’ vandalism. How long they will last will be totally dependent upon how attached to them the local populace might be.
All those countries that achieved a socialist revolution – and were led by parties that followed the Marxist-Leninist ideology (and for me there are only really four; the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania (PSRA) and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV)) – realised the importance of art as a propaganda tool to promote socialist ideals and to counter the propaganda of capitalism. Each country produced that art with their own national characteristics and that produced in Albania was particularly unique and extensive, covering many aspects of the plastic arts.
Socialist mosaics and bas reliefs in Albania
In order that the Albanian Lapidar Survey didn’t become open ended many public works of art that had been created during the Socialist period (1944-1990) were not recorded. However, in my travels I have encountered many of these and have treated them in the same, hopefully, thorough manner as I have the ‘official’ lapidars.
Paintings, murals and sculptures of Socialist Albania
As with the mosaics and bas reliefs there are still many other examples of Socialist Realist art which it is possible to appreciate throughout the country. Sometimes they are on permanent show as they are out in the open air, others are in museums and art galleries. Many of these public areas of exhibition were vandalised post 1990 but there seems to be a trend, slow and often partial, to renovate some of these old exhibition spaces and to show what had been shown in pride of place in the past.
Museums and Art Galleries
Most towns of any size (and a number of smaller villages) during Albania’s Socialist period would have had a small museum telling the story of the Anti-Fascist National Liberation War. Often, though not always, these could be found as part of the Martyrs’ Cemetery but at other times they would be closer to the town centre. The Tepelene Historical Museum is one of those which stands alone.
Albanian Socialist Literature
As of this time this is a very thin section. The hope is to include other examples in due course.
The Mother – a Socialist short story
It wasn’t just in the plastic arts that Socialist Realism had a role to play in the construction of Socialism. Putting the role of the working class and peasantry in the forefront of all that happened in society, in the post, present and future, was also a task of writers of short stories and novels. For those interested in this aspect of Albania’s road to Socialism the various foreign language publications (especially the large format, monthly colour magazine, New Albania) provided translations from the Albanian language in English, Russian, French, Chinese and Arabic. This story appeared in New Albania, 1971, No 6.
This particular short story also has a direct relevance to the sculptural lapidars of Albania. It’s a story about the events of July 6th 1943 when the Nazi invaders murdered all the inhabitants of the small village of Borova (in the south-east of the country) who weren’t able to escape and then burnt everything of use within the village. This short story was first published in New Albania No 5, 1976.
The Wedding, Ismail Kadare, November 8th Publishing House, Toronto, 2024, 217 pages. A novel about Albanian women.
Albanian folklore – music and dance
This is also, presently, a thin section. More will be added as material becomes available.
Albanian traditional musical instruments
The article below, written by R Sokoli, first appeared in issue No 5, 1971 of the magazine New Albania. It is reproduced here (slightly edited) to aid a greater understanding of some of the works of art that were produced during the Socialist period (1944-1990) of Albania’s past. Although folklore hasn’t been totally abandoned in the present-day capitalist Albania traditional dress and culture don’t hold the same important role in Albanian society as in the past.
Post Socialist Albania
The counter-revolution in the 1990s destroyed virtually all the industry and seriously damaged the rail infrastructure. What ‘modern-day’ capitalist Albania produces, in spades, is religious buildings of all denominations – Orthodox Christian, Roman Catholic and Islam. But what I find interesting in some of the paintings that line of the walls of these religious spaces, in particular the Roman Catholic variety, is the artistic link it has with the style of socialist realism.
Religion
Consequence of the declaration of Albania as an ‘atheist state’ in 1967
A photograph of a painting in the Gjirokaster Castle Museum gave rise to some thoughts about religion.
Anti-Communist paintings – Shkodër Franciscan Church
Religion is interesting in Albania. Travelling around you can’t help but notice the new mosques and churches (both Catholic and Greek Orthodox) that are appearing everywhere. Whether there’s a real need for so many is debatable, I’ve hardly seen any evidence of what could be called a ‘religious revival’. However, the Catholic Church, in particular, is on the offensive and that can best be seen with the anti-Communist paintings in the Franciscan Church in Shkodër.
Resurrection of Christ Greek Orthodox Cathedral – Tirana
There doesn’t seem to be any money to improve the infrastructure in Albania but plenty for building churches and the new Resurrection of Christ Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Tirana has taken a big chunk of that budget.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Tirana
Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Tirana displays new and interesting murals to replace the frescoes of the past.
Panagia Monastery Church – Mother of Christ – Dhermi, Albania
The rear wall of the Panagia Monastery Church – Mother of Christ – in Dhërmi, Himara province, southern Albania, warns sinners of what’s in store for them if they don’t repent.
And if the obscurantism of the three religious denominations isn’t enough, the Albanians have good back to ancient superstitions as well – perhaps hedging their bets.
The dordolec, the ‘evil eye’ and superstition in Albania
You think that when someone buys a soft toy or a blow up Tele Tubbie it’s destined for a baby or a young child. In Albania it could well be for another purpose. This is all part of the ‘tradition’ of the dordolec, the ‘evil eye’ and superstition in Albania.
Post-revolutionary points of interest
All post-Communist societies have a problem when it comes to history. The ruling capitalist and imperialist lackeys don’t want to remind the people of the time of Socialist construction – they might wonder why they ditched the socialist past in favour of the capitalist present which offers them little hope – unless you are one of those ‘lucky’ enough to have your snout in the corruption trough. That dilemma has resulted in a number of ‘interesting’ items about which I have written.
‘King’ Zog’s remains return to Tirana
The ‘democratic’ government of Albania embraces the country’s reactionary, feudal and fascist past in a ceremony marking the return of the remains of Ahmet Zogu.
German Fascist Memorial in Tirana, Albania
A German fascist memorial in a country where more than 30,000 died in the struggle to liberate themselves from the scourge that was devastating Europe.
The English Cemetery in Tirana Park
On Sunday 11th November 2012 the British Embassy organised a Remembrance service at the English Cemetery in Tirana Park, behind the State University, in the centre of the city. There were few people in attendance, as the English community in Tirana is relatively small, but included the British Ambassador and the Prime Minister of Albania, Sali Berisha.
Albanian town planning – drastic measures taken
Some building developers rub someone in authority up the wrong way and they find their building plans didn’t go quite as they expected.
What does Independence mean in Albania today?
Any visitor to the country will soon become aware of the schizophrenic approach the people and government have towards the idea of ‘independence’. Images of the 15th century national hero Skenderberg are everywhere. November 28th is still a national holiday as it celebrates independence from the Ottoman Empire. November 29th – which is the day of the liberation of the country from the fascists in 1944 – is not. Yet NATO troops and vehicles are more evident than the national army and the government does nothing of note unless it gets the green light from external capitalist masters. And like many others throughout Europe who call for ‘independence’ – such as the Catalans, the Basques, the Scots, the Welsh and the Irish – Albania begs to become a member of the European Union. I find that a bit of a contradiction but these ‘nationalist’ groups don’t. For the ordinary Albanian they see membership as a lifeline and a means of getting an improved infrastructure, for those in real control it’s an opportunity to get their noses into the trough.
A hundred years of Albanian Independence?
Today, the 28th November, Albania celebrates the 100th Anniversary of it independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912. The streets and buildings throughout the country are festooned with red bunting and representations of the black, double-headed eagle but how independent is Albania really?
29th November 1944 – the date of true independence for Albania
For such a small country, in terms of geographic size and population – yet big in the sense of having taken on the challenge of the building of revolutionary socialism – Albania has two days on which it celebrates its independence. The first was from the Ottoman Empire on 28th November 1912 but by far the most important and significant is that of the 29th November 1944 – the date of true independence for Albania.
Foreign interference in Albania’s internal affairs
I have also, briefly, looked at efforts of capitalist nations (principally the United Kingdom) to undermine the construction of Socialism in Albania after the ending of World War II (the National Liberation War for the Albanians).
Reasons to be suspicious – Albanian-British Relationships in the 1940s
After liberating their country from the fascists Albanians were under continual external pressure from hostile government forces. At this time Albanian-British Relationships were at an all-time low. In not bowing down to this the Albanians were criticised for being ‘isolationist’ and ‘xenophobic’ whereas their actions were more a matter of survival.
Politics and ideology within International Communist Movement
Although a small country in the ‘socialist camp’ – when such an entity existed – the Albanian Party of Labour, and its leader Enver Hoxha, played a major part in the struggle against revisionism within the International Communist Movement. How this was fought out can be seen in the writings of Comrade Hoxha himself and it the material produced by the Party throughout its existence.
The definitive split between Albania and China, 1978
In July 1978 the Party of Labour of Albania published (in an open and public forum, that is, as a supplement to the July/August, No 4, edition of Albania Today) a letter which the Party had sent to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. This letter was promoted by the sudden – though not totally unexpected – move of the Chinese to remove all support, materially, financially as well as personnel, from Albania, a country which, up to that time, had held the closest fraternal links with the much bigger Party, country and people.
Travelling in Albania
A number of posts provide some information for those travelling around various parts of the country. This includes information on transport as well as a number of specific locations.
Rinas – Nënë (Mother) Tereza – Tirana International Airport
Tirana International Airport is officially known as Nënë Tereza but is still referred to locally as Rinas, the name of the nearest village.
Corfu to Saranda ferry – a travellers’ view
One of the best ways into Albania is via the ferry from Corfu to Saranda in southern Albania. What follows is the practical information of what you need to know to make that process easy and – hopefully – trouble free.
The Bus from Bajram Curri to Tirana
One of the joys of travelling is the unexpected. Well, I suppose, many people have come across a form of the unexpected they would rather not have experienced but those unpleasant situations can happen in your own country. The unexpected that I’m talking about is the experience when something happens, something changes, something develops in a manner that was totally unforeseen at the beginning, but all ends up well.
Impressions of Saranda, Southern Albania
At one time a quiet port in the south of the country, the Albanian town of Saranda gets the Benidorm treatment.
Walking from Valbona to Thethi in north-eastern Albania
Two attempts at the walk between Valbona and Thethi in north-eastern Albania and still don’t make it. The reasons why not and perhaps the reasons why the next time.
Komani Lake – The most impressive ferry trip in Europe?
I’ve done the Amazon, the Yukon and the Zambesi but you have to go a long way to beat the beauty and splendour of the Lake Komani ferry journey from the hydro-electric dam at Koman to the port of Fierza, on the way to the town of Bajram Curri – and it lasts for less than three hours.
Butrint – a Greek and Roman story in southern Albania
An archaeological site that goes back almost 2500 years, Butrint has the imprint of both the Greek and Roman civilisations. Important for its location to both those cultures it was also pivotal under Venetian rule, its decline only really beginning after it fell to Napoleon’s armies at the end of the 18th century.
Syri I Kaltër, the Blue Eye is one of the natural attractions in the Saranda area in southern Albania, especially if you are not interested in the beach or are looking for a change. A visit here can also be put together with a day trip to Gjirokastra from Saranda.
Visiting Enver Hoxha’s grave in Tirana
After his death on 11th April 1985 Enver Hoxha was buried next to the Mother Albania statue in the Martyr’s Cemetery overlooking Tirana. However, the counter-revolution that took place in 1990 allowed his political enemies to take their revenge by denying him a place of honour in the country’s history and he was reburied in the main public cemetery of the city.
Nexhmije and Enver together in Kombinat
However, there has been one significant change at the cemetery since my last visit. Nexhmije, Enver’s wife and comrade in arms, one of the first members of the Albanian Communist Party (later to be re-named as the Party of Labour of Albania), and Partisan fighter during the National Anti-Fascist Liberation War, died on the 26th February 2020 and she now lies next to Enver. The cemetery was full when Enver was moved there so someone must have been moved to allow for Nexhmije to lie alongside the great Albanian leader.
Bus travel from Tirana to Istanbul
– with, hopefully, some practical information (including surviving the first couple of hours or so) and some observations.
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Hello Michael,
Thank you very much for this very accurate and useful article. There is so much good content.
Glad you shared the coordinates as some points are really hard top find.
I’m currently in Albania and will take time to visit some of these fabulous places.
Keep up the good work.
Glad to hear you have found the information useful. Please get in touch if you find any errors or omissions. I will then update. Have a good time in Albania.
This is a stupendously wonderful resource, particularly for someone who first went to Albania in the 80s but who now fears that his own memories will fade as the things which one could marvel at in the 80s also fade from view. May your work prosper.
Hello Adrian, Glad you find my blog posts on Albania useful. I have a few more pamphlets/books to scan as well as many lapidars to describe whilst providing a photographic record. Do you have any material from your visit/s in the 1980s which doesn’t appear on my site? If you could lend them to me to scan and then post that would make the collection that more complete. I’m especially interested in copies of Albania Today (I’ve scanned and posted all to which I have access) and New Albania – I have some more to scan but there are many gaps in that collection.