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Bust of Llazar Zai Fundo/ A new symbol in the historical memory of Korça

2025-11-28 14:34:00, Kulturë CNA
Bust of Llazar Zai Fundo/ A new symbol in the historical memory of Korça
Bust of Zai Fundo in Korça

In the heart of Korça, where history and culture intertwine at every step, a monument has been placed that brings back to public memory one of the most prominent figures, not only of the city, but also of Albania. The bust of Llazar Zai Fundo, the intellectual and patriot from Korça, was placed in the square that bears his name, marking an important moment for the re-evaluation of figures persecuted during the communist regime.

The placement of his bust in public space marks a belated, but important, return of attention to the life and work of a personality who was ahead of his time and who tragically faced the consequences of his beliefs and idealism.

This act by the Municipality of Korça aims to bring back to the center of history a figure who has left a mark on Albanian political thought, becoming both part of civic memory and one of the symbolic figures of the fight for free thought.

Renowned historian and professor Aurel Plasari called the bust a historical debt paid off, emphasizing that the documents now prove that the execution of Llazar Fundo was a personal act of Enver Hoxha, driven by jealousy and punishment of those who dared to think differently.

Bust of Llazar Zai Fundo/ A new symbol in the historical memory of Korça
Historian Aurel Plasari

According to Plasari, the Fundo case is a strong warning for all time about the vulnerability of free thought when faced with authoritarian rule.

 

" I think that the monument that Korça has built is a historical debt, an added value to the memory of Korça and Albania, for a victim who, rather than simply calling him a dictatorship, was a personal victim of Enver Hoxha. This is a truth that must be emphasized in history because it is already documented, regardless of the different interpretations that have been given to the crime of his physical execution and his torture. Let us not forget that in his message to kill Zai Fundo, Enver Hoxha, who was not yet in power and had started the killings, gave orders to ask him several questions, and the first was 'Why did he go to Kosovo?' This should make us understand even more clearly the context of the execution of an intellectual like Llazar Fundo, as an indicator of the jealousy of the rulers against intellectuals and people of reason. It is a historical lesson for all times, not only for the time when the tragedy of his physical disappearance occurred ," Plasari said.

 

Meanwhile, the mayor of Korça, Sotiraq Filo, said that the placement of the bust came after the decisions of the Municipal Council to give the figure of Zai Fundo the missing place in public space.

Bust of Llazar Zai Fundo/ A new symbol in the historical memory of Korça
The Mayor of Korça, Sotiraq Filo

Filo recalled that Fundo was among the first Albanian communists, but also among the first to distance himself from ideology, after facing the repressive reality of the Soviet Union. According to him, the bust is an investment in the memory of the younger generations, who today have the opportunity to recognize a personality who has not been spoken about for decades.

 

"Yesterday, the bust of this extraordinary personality of the city of Korça and all of Albania was placed in the square named after Zai Fundo. The placement of this bust follows two decisions of the Municipal Council, the first for naming this square after Zai Fundo on the city's pedestrian street and the second for placing the bust of Zai Fundo."

Zai Fundo was an extraordinary personality of Korça, although unfortunately very little known. He was an intellectual, an anti-fascist patriot and a courageous man to say and defend what were his beliefs and ideas. It is precisely thanks to this courage that Zai Fundo was among the first communists of Albania, but at the same time he also became the first anti-communist in the moments when he saw, from the experience of the Soviet Union, that communism was not what was proclaimed in theory.

I believe that by placing this bust in the center of Korça, we honor this historical figure, but at the same time, we also teach history to the younger generations, who have not had the opportunity to know it due to the fact that even during the communist period, this figure was tried to be left completely in the shadows, in the dark, but even when it was mentioned, it was mentioned with a negative connotation.

"I am very pleased that we were able to realize it, it is a project that has been supported by the Prime Minister, whom I want to thank, by the MP for Korça and the Speaker of the Parliament of Albania, Mr. Niko Peleshi, and of course by the municipality, by me as the proposer of placing this bust ," said Filo.

 

The Democratic Party of Korça District MP, Ledina Alolli, also praised the installation of the bust as a historic event for the city. She called Zai Fundo one of the brightest figures of Korça and a free-thinking intellectual, who became a victim precisely because of his beliefs and desire to speak out.

Bust of Llazar Zai Fundo/ A new symbol in the historical memory of Korça
MP Ledina Alolli

"Llazar Zai Fundo is one of the sons of Korça, one of its brightest figures, but also one of the most prominent patriots. Placing the bust of Zai Fundo in Korça is not only a symbol, but I think it is a reminder of this bright name, a prominent patriot who was an intellectual of free thought, so today it is a great honor for Korça. Not only for Korça, but for all of Albania and for all Albanians wherever they are. Fundo was one of the victims of communism, because he embraced free thought and wanted to be a different voice for history, and why not for our beloved Korça and for all of Albania. Placing his bust is in honor and respect for all of us ," said Alolli.

 

By placing this bust, Korça not only honors one of its most prominent sons, but also takes an important step towards restoring historical truth.

The figure of Llazar Zai Fundo, suppressed and faded by communist propaganda, is today taking its rightful place in collective memory, proving that historical truth, even when delayed, is never lost.

This monument is not only a symbol of the past, but a message for the future, of the importance of free speech, critical thinking and intellectual courage. In the center of Korça, Zai Fundo returns today not only as a historical figure, but as a living reminder of the values ??that have shaped the city and our national identity./ CNA

 

 
 
 
 
 
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