Albanian teachers visit internment camps in the South

1st Day, 22 October 2021

Visit to internment villages in Lushnja

The first stop was in the village of Saver in Lushnja, where teachers could learn about the personal story of Etleva Shehu, who lived in exile until she was 20 years old.

The teachers discussed the need to set up a museum and the intervention of state institutions that in addition to a memorial erected with the names of former political persecuted, in Saver between new buildings and dilapidated barracks you can find a place to stay and exile only through the stories of the old inhabitants.

Teachers also found that study visits to sites of memory and witness have an important value in conveying theoretical information, however very few teachers have had the opportunity to visit.

During the discussion, IDMC Director Jonila Godole stressed that the awareness of the younger generation can not be achieved without the great impact of teachers and that IDMC will continue its supportive mission through study visits and publications with life stories and archival materials.

Further, during the study visit to the internment sites in the village of Gradisht in Lushnja, the participants were introduced to the early memories and personal history of Ritvana Mena, born in exile, descendant of the patriotic family from Lura, Mena.

Inspired by Ritvana's story, the teachers discussed the lack of information in everyday textbooks and personal stories during communism.

History curriculum expert Fatmiroshe Xhemalaj stressed that it is necessary for teachers to associate textbook information about the communist period with local histories in their area.

At the end of the study visit, IDMC Director Jonila Godole invited teachers to reflect on how personal stories could be addressed in lecturing and in which classes they can be involved.

2nd Day, 23 October 2021

Visit to women's former communist prison in Kucova

Kucova teacher Anduela Dhimitri led the visit to the women's former prison in Kucova.

Anduela recounted some of the findings from her fieldwork, testifying that for political reasons such as agitation and propaganda, women with foreign nationalities, mostly Russian, were initially convicted as a result of the breakdown of relations with the Soviet Union.

Anduela recounted some of the findings from her fieldwork, testifying that for political reasons such as agitation and propaganda, women with foreign nationalities, mostly Russian, were initially convicted as a result of the breakdown of relations with the Soviet Union. The women's prison in Kucova was built in 1966 and the testimonies tell of inhuman torture by the guards, overcrowding in the cells and the outbreak of diseases due to lack of hygiene. Some of the participating teachers admitted that they did not know that there was a women's prison for "political crimes" under communism.

During the discussion with the teachers it was emphasized that it is necessary to set up a museum and start a research work to collect testimonies and memories, as well as to acquaint the inhabitants of the area and not only with the history of this place of internment through exhibitions, visits and clocks. open studies, publications etc.

3rd Day, 24 October 2021

Teachers' training in Berat

During the study visit in Berat, the teachers received training on "Local History as Part of National History".

3️ local histories of the communist period were discussed by teachers divided into 3️ working groups. During the training, teachers argued how stories of discrimination during communism could be addressed in lessons in parallel with current phenomena in today's society such as bullying, violence, human rights. The trainers together with the teachers suggested interactive methods to include these personal stories in the lesson.

At the end of the training, the trainers together with the teachers recommended measures that should be taken by the relevant institutions to acquaint the residents of the area and not only, with these personal stories.

Visit to sites of memory in Berat

In Gladiola Caka's guide the participants visited the castle of Berat during the second day of the study visit.

The presence of various cultural influences and the history of the castle of Berat, has made it an attractive destination for many visitors, but very few of them know that the castle of Berat has been a host of internees in communism.

For this reason IDMC organized a study visit to the castle of Berat, where participants had the opportunity to visit 2 families who had sheltered the politically persecuted in communism and get acquainted with photos and testimonies.

In the castle of Berat, the participants visited the house of Mrs. Parashqevi Sania, in which first Jews were sheltered, and then politically persecuted during communism.

During the conversation, the participants were introduced to the fact that the Municipality of Berat has handed over to Mrs. Parashqevi a certificate of gratitude for the shelter of Jews, but this institution has not had any assessment of the shelter of the persecuted in communism.

The specialist of the didactic guide Gladiola Caka added that very few intellectuals in Berat are aware of this fact.

The participating teachers rightly argued that for these families and for the history of the city of Berat, it would be necessary to put up a plaque, an indicative sign that proves that the house served as a shelter for the politically persecuted or to issue a certificate. by the Municipality that in the future can serve as a historical document for various scholars.

At the end of the study visit, the participants were introduced to the story of Ali Ismaili, whose mother had been interned and then was sheltered with the Dollani family inside the castle.

This was the first time that Mr. Ismaili told his story in public, explaining that previously there was no interest in this topic from either state institutions or the media.

Based on this evidence, one of the issues raised for discussion was the immediate need to document these life stories because the lack of interest and institutional silence today will cause a truncated interpretation of future history.