"Topography of Terror" in Spac

IDMC organized another study trip in the former prison of Spaç. IDMC started these study trips since in 2015. Students and lecturers of Literature Department of the University of Tirana were involved this time in the study trip. The participants were given the chance to talk to a contemporary witness of the dictatorship, Gjet(o) Vocaj, a former political prisoner in the former prison of Spaç, at the same time author of the book "Fatal Meeting with the Dictator" ("Takim fatal me diktatorin").

In the first break before arriving in the former prison Matilda Karçanaj, IDMC Programme Assistant shortly introduced students to the importance of the study trips organized by IDMC.

Ms Karçanaj told the attendees:

"It's been 27 years after the fall of the dictatorship in Albania and we have not heard to be talked enough about it, neither in school, and neither in family, even though it was one of the harshest dictatorial regimes in Southeast Europe. Therefore, through these study trips and meetings with contemporary witnesses IDMC aims to raise awareness on the crimes of the dictatorship and make you more aware about the importance of dealing with the past."

Before heading to the former prison of Spaç, students were asked to fill in anonymously the expatiation form for the study trip.

Students started to reflect about this study trip since on the way to the former prison area. The road seemed endless. Upon arriving in the prison area, Gjet(o) Vocaj started to share his experience in the prison. Students were very eager to hear about his experience and did not stop questioning Mr. Vocaj about his experience in prison, who among other things shared the effect of Spaç revolt in 1973. He told to the students how people were executed for the revolt, others were tortured and their punishment doubled.

Mr Vocaj talked about the absurdities of the old system:

"You might have heard about four persons executed, but not for the fifth one. He was special one to all the prisoners. There was a dog who took part in the revolt too, who was punished with hanging…"

After visiting all the sites of the former prison, the activity continued with the students' presentations of the writers persecuted, imprisoned or sentenced to death due to the dictatorship of Enver Hoxha. Guided by Prof. Assoc. Dr. Lili Sula, their findings took them in the writings of Vilson Blloshmi and Genc Leka, Kasem Trebeshina, Musine Kokalari, Visar Zhiti, Arshi Pipa, Viçens Prenushi, Frederik Rreshpja etc.

The activity ended with a reflection lunch on the way back to Tirana. In an informal setting students expressed that hearing about the experience in prison from a former political prisoner made them more sensitive towards this topic and their interest on searching in this filed in independent way is higher. At the very end they expressed their gratitude for IDMC and filled in the evaluation form for the study trip.

About the Guests

• Gjet(o) Vocaj is a former political prisoner, sentenced to 8 years for propaganda. He began his sentence in Spaç and completed it in Ballsh. His family was interned for 5 years in Pistulli village, Shkodra. He was released from prison in 1982. Mr Vocaj is the author of the book "Takim fatal me diktatorin" (Fatal Encounter with the Dictator).