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“The Silent Voices of Communism”/ Exhibition on the stories of persecution at the 'Fan Noli' University in Korça

2025-12-09 12:28:00, Kulturë CNA

“The Silent Voices of Communism”/ Exhibition on the stories of

In the courtyard of the Rectorate of the "Fan Noli" University in Korça, an exhibition was opened that brings back to the collective memory the stories of former prisoners and political internees of the communist regime.

The exhibition presents portraits and stories of people who have spent years in prisons and internment camps, presenting them not simply as victims, but as individuals who, with their endurance and suffering, inspire even today.

“The Silent Voices of Communism”/ Exhibition on the stories of

The project's curator, Jonila Godole, explains that the initiative came as a collaboration with a German photographer, while the selection of the characters turned into a process that highlighted how deep and widespread political persecution was in Albania. A significant part of the stories come from Korça, a city that has long borne the scars of violence and isolation. Godole emphasizes that the main goal is to raise awareness among young people, who often grow up without information about the crimes of that period.

"In this exhibition there are former political prisoners, political internees who at that time may have also been interned in internment camps and those who have spent a long time in prisons. With this exhibition they are not victims, but personalities who inspire us with their suffering. This exhibition was the idea of ??a German photographer who wanted to do such a project and we spread out to find the people. It was not difficult, since Albania is full of stories of persecution, many of which come from the city of Korça. Exhibitions of this type are also to raise awareness among young people who grow up without memory and have no information about what happened at that time", said Godole.

“The Silent Voices of Communism”/ Exhibition on the stories of

Vasillaq Orgocka, a political prisoner, says that he was arrested in the late 1960s and spent 17 years in prison, although he had not committed any crime. He confesses that not only he was severely affected, but also his family, including his wife, who, due to political circumstances and subsequent treatment, was unable to return to his homeland. His story, like many others, illustrates the absurdity and cruelty of the punishments of that time.

"I was arrested on December 7, 1968. I was arrested because I did nothing! I should have done something to avoid being arrested. I was one of the privileged ones because I had a Polish wife, but our marriage was ruined because we no longer had the Soviet Union. Four groups of Poles were formed in Albania for hostile activities. I was released from prison on August 30, 1985, so 17 years in prison. It was terrible because we had to wait for Enver Hoxha to die for change to happen. Then change really happened and many people were released. Unfortunately, my wife never came to Korça, but they took her and took her to the airport, where, sick on a stretcher, they took her by plane to Warsaw. From that day on, she never saw Albania again. When the roads were opened, we had the opportunity to meet, I took the courage and went to the doctor who was treating my wife in the hospital. The doctor told me that my wife had taken a lot of narcotics and her brain was damaged. In that sick, abnormal state, "She is dead," Orgocka said.

“The Silent Voices of Communism”/ Exhibition on the stories of

Tefta Kolaci, the daughter of a political prisoner, recounts how her childhood and youth were marked by the arrest and re-conviction of her father, a career military man who opposed the regime's reforms. She says that the family faced years of poverty, investigators, and political pressure, at a time when children left without parents faced constant stigmatization. Her path to survival has been difficult, but today she sees it as imperative that these stories be known to the younger generation.

"I am very happy that the youth knows what we have done in that regime. I had a military father. He opposed the abolition of ranks and reforms in the army, went to prison and left four young children. I was the oldest 13 years old and the youngest 4 years old. I am proud that I survived that time and followed my father to all the camps and prisons where he was. When my father was released, he did not return home, he was re-convicted and in March 1990 he returned home since February 1967. 12 years passed and we were integrating into life, then they started to deal with us too, as a sign of revenge for our father. They called me to the investigator and I tried to kill myself so as not to surrender to them because I hated that regime. With the suicide attempt, the entire public silently condemned them", - Kolaci confessed.

This exhibition at Fan Noli University comes as a strong reminder that the past should not be forgotten. The stories of the past not only honor those who suffered, but also show today's generations the value of freedom and the importance of truth./CNA