TIRANA, May 22 – Monday marked 45 years from the day the politically persecuted in the Spaৠprison – one of the most infamous communist period concentration camps – revolted against the regime by raising a flag lacking the communist star.
The Spaৠrevolt represents one of the country’s most powerful anti-communist symbols and constitutes one of the events that shook the regime at the time. The revolt began on May 21 and lasted until May 23, 1973, when it was forcefully oppressed.
Four prisoners who were deemed the organizers of the revolt – Hajro Pashai, Dervish Bejko, Pal Zefi and Skà«nder Daja – were shot at the spot, while other protesters suffered heavy punishment within the prison walls.
Albania’s President Ilir Meta, who attended the commemoration ceremony, said the anniversary is a day to reflect, as much as it is a day to remember.
“Facing the past and releasing society from the nightmare of communism’s crimes remain serious priorities for Albanian politics and society,” Meta said.
He added that past tragedies are destined to return in different ways, if forgotten.
Head of the EU Delegation to Albania Romana Vlahutin, attending the ceremony, also said Spaৠshould be preserved as a remembrance sight to let future generations know what happened in Albania.
“The EU has undertaken a project that will identify the murdered people’s DNA. The project has begun in the Dajt area and will help relatives identify their loved ones as soon as possible,” Vlahutin said.
Meanwhile, the country’s opposition Democratic Party has also began drafting an initiative that aims to ban the public use of communist dictatorship symbols, with the aid of German expertise.
