Referendum urged against Pyramid destruction

TIRANA, July 27 – Hundreds of people protested last week against the destruction of Tirana’s pyramid to make space for a new parliamentary complex. A petition against the demolition of the International Culture Center signed by 6100 citizens has been sent to President Bamir Topi by representatives of the movement “Civil Action for the Rescue of the Pyramid.” The president is supposed to sign the law passed by parliament and he pledged to consult with legal experts before his final decision. Ardian Klosi, one of the initiators of the protest movement, declared that the people of Tirana opposed the destructive act, adding that they were hoping that the Albanian head of state would take the necessary measures, with the power vested in him by the Constitution. Earlier this month lawmakers approved plans to destroy the building that once served as the former dictator’s mausoleum to make way for a new parliament building. The pyramid was built in 1988 to commemorate Enver Hoxha’s 80th birthday, three years after his death. The pyramid-shaped cultural center is now one of the capital’s landmarks. The cost for the new project was not disclosed. Authorities hope to have the new building in place in time for Albania’s celebration of its 100th anniversary next year, together with a new national football stadium.