Dubbed “the old wise man” by Albanians, Sabri Godo passed away last week at 82, leaving behind a strong legacy in politics and literature.
By ANDI BALLA
TIRANA, Dec 8 – In Albania’s ferocious political scene, where cool heads are rare, writer-turned-politician Sabri Godo, had build a reputation as a voice of reason and moderation, respected by allies and opponents alike.
Godo, who passed away on Dec 3, at 82, following a lengthy fight with lung cancer, left behind a strong legacy in Albania’s history, politics and literature.
The Albanian media had almost universally dubbed him “the old wise man.” The public also saw Godo as the type of father figure whose words carried moral weight because he did not seek the limelight or power. As such, the respect for Godo was unique and perhaps unmatched by any other Albanian politician.
Godo got involved in his country’s fortunes early. At 14, he joined the Albanian partisans fighting to free Albania during World War II. After the war, his fortunes went up and down with the changes and purges of the communist regime נin the beginning he was favored by the communist establishment thanks to his war service, then threatened due to ties to dissidents. Through it all, Godo turned to literature. He wrote important books of a historical nature, focusing on important Albanian leaders like Scanderbeg, the country’s national hero, and Ali Pash롔epelana, an Albanian Ottoman ruler who created a virtual independent state within the Ottoman Empire in the midst of its rule of the Balkans. He also wrote sharp editorials for Hosteni, a satirical magazine and one of the few media outlets in communist Albania where sharp writing went unpunished.
The political leader
Godo stepped into the Albanian political scene as communism crumbled. In 1991, he founded the Albanian Republican Party, leading it for several years. During that time, he served two terms in the Albanian Parliament, heading prestigious foreign affairs committee among other duties. But Godo is also known as one of the drafters of Albania’s constitution.
Yet, in a move that doesn’t always come easy to Albanian politicians who like to stay at the helm of their respective parties for life, Godo voluntarily withdrew as head of the Republican Party only to keep the largely honorary position of the party’s assembly chief.
Although he was semi-retired from politics, in the last few years, Godo continued to be a go-to adviser for matters of national importance by both the country’s leadership and the media.
His word carried weight because of Godo’s ability to affect many critical situations to reduce tension in heated political debates that won him friends not only among his natural allies to the right of the political spectrum but also political opponents in the left.
Political spectrum honors Godo
Albania’s government declared national mourning for Godo’s burial and thousands of politicians and members of the public attended the state funeral ceremony at the Albanian Parliament Building. Flags flew at half mast.
Prime Minister Sali Berisha expressed condolences to the family members and the leaders of the Republican Party, saying Godo’s death was a great loss for Albanian politics and literature. “Albania has lost one of its brightest minds,” Berisha said.
Socialist leader Edi Rama, among the first to issue a statement, said Godo had always been there to protect national interests. “Sabri Godo was a political opponent … but an important actor of political life that in difficult moments for the country tried to help find the path of reason,” Rama said.
Leaders of the entire political spectrum issued statements expressing saddens at the loss of Godo. And officials from all main political parties attended his funeral.
President Bamir Topi said Godo helped set the foundation of a modern Albania. “Sabri Godo is irreplaceable Šfor all those who were lucky enough to work with him,” Topi said in a message.
From Kosovo, Prime Minister Hashim Tha詠said he had witnessed the precious contribution Godo had given to the Kosovo cause in its darkest hours. “Throughout his life and activity, Sabri Godo reflected wisdom, unity, cooperation and determination to work in the best interest of the entire Albanian nation,” Tha詠said in his message.
A highly respected figure
Albert Rakipi, executive director at the Albanian Institute for International Studies, where Godo served as president for the past three years, points out Godo had earned rare and uniform respect among Albanians everywhere.
“Last fall, I traveled extensively with him throughout Albania, Macedonia, and Kosovo. The care and respect he garnered from people was very impressive for someone who did not hold any high government position,” said Rakipi, which notes all of Godo’s historical, literary and political achievements have joined together to create a sort of a legend for the man. “Each of these achievements has its own merits, but are not enough on their own. Their joint importance comes because they glue together a mosaic of basic venerable values: homeland, war, constitution, peace, wisdom and knowledge.”
Bernd Fischer, the American expert on Albania and professor and professor at Indiana University said Godo was “Albania’s twenty-first century Renaissance man, a scholar of renown, a political activist, a fierce patriot, and a gentleman.” He added Godo often served “as the conscience of the state.”
“He had an appreciation for the subtle art of politics, rejecting the violent hate speech and brutality that often seems to define the contemporary Albanian political world,” Fischer wrote in a message. “All Albanians, and those of us abroad who care deeply about Albania’s future, are poorer for his passing.”
Albanian-American professor Nicholas Pano says the unique status Godo enjoyed in Albania “was reflected in the state funeral with which he was honored and the outpouring of tributes to him from virtually all significant Albanian political personalities and parties as well as from the representatives of the international community in Albania.” He adds, “In death, as in life, Sabri had served as a unifying force in Albania Šlet us hope that his example and legacy will serve as an inspiration to others to follow in his footsteps.”
Former Albanian foreign minister Besnik Mustafaj, a writer and politician himself, says Godo will be remembered in the history of Albania as a man who fought tirelessly to bring morality to politics and evoke a healthy nation pride through literature. “Thousands of Albanians, like myself, feel the death of Sabri Godo as though they lost a friend and an irreplaceable model,” he writes in a message.
Journalist Lutfi Dervishi said it was Godo’s astute ability to write and communicate both in public and behind the scenes that allowed him to build the reputation as Albania’s wise old man. “He was master of the word, of the written word, of the said and unsaid words,” Dervishi says.
Journalist Blendi Fevziu says Godo was one of Albania’s most powerful politicians in the past 20 years without ever holding a high government post for himself. “In his political life, the most important position he had was that of chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the Albanian Parliament. But he had the type influence that Ševen ministers, prime ministers and presidents have not had,” Fevziu says.
Remzi Lani, another journalist, notes Godo was an amalgamation of a great writer, excellent intellectual, wise politician and born diplomat. He adds there have been quite a few people who have pointed out that Godo spoke wise words and was a wise old man, which is all true, but Lani points out to another important feature of Godo. “He listened very calmly and with a lot of patience,” he said. “Few do it so well.”
(Please see a full selection of comments about Sabri Godo on pages Remembering Sabri Godo)
