The Site of Witness and Memory Museum, built several years ago on the site of a former prison in the north-western Albanian city of Shkoder, is dedicated to perpetuating the memory of the former Albanian communist regime’s crimes and victims in a bid to make sure they never happen again and to learn younger generations about the Communist dictatorship’s punishment and prisons in Albania. The Site will be radically transformed into an impressive museum of communist persecution and into a main historic and cultural heritage attraction in the city of Shkoder to show visitors, as well as for Albanian pupils and students, how Communist-era police persecuted the regime’s opponents.
Prime Minister Edi Rama today visited Shkoder with the Site of Witness and Memory Museum being his first stop, accompanied by Shkoder’s Mayor-elect Benet Beci, the Site’s director, historian and curator Pjerin Mirdita. The government head toured the former prison’s interrogation and torture chambers and the cell blocks where renowned intellectuals in the northern city and from all over the country, including Father Zef Pllumi, Monsignor Ernest Çoba, Father Benardin Palaj, some of the of the most beloved figures in Albania, famous for their contribution to the Franciscan community as well as promotion of Albania’s spiritual and cultural heritage.
“We have been looking forward to this visit for a long time now for the museum’s very symbolism itself, for the site’s significance to the city of Shkoder as the only museum built on the site of a Communist-era political prison in Albania. The most important area is the cells block located in the old structure that has been operational since 1936, when it served as a Franciscan college. It was the college where young people were taught by famous teachers like Father Gjergj Fishta and many other Franciscan figures back then. The prison area was the most severely damaged part in the 1998 unrest, when the site was burned twice or thrice. Until 1997, the building was operational as a Police Station,” historian Pjerin Mirdita, adding that the site is designed to be transformed into genuine educational and didactic centre.
On his part, Prime Minister Rama said it is time to intervene in the Museum’s infrastructure and enrich its collection with new materials, mire interestingly combined in terms of their exhibition and display.
“There is a need to review the infrastructure, as well as to intervene in the look and exterior of the Marubi Museum, because I think there is room to improve it a lot more and make it much better, especially regarding the Museum’s entrance, where more materials, authentic photographs of the politically persecuted families can be displayed. We can deliver on something amazing. We still lack a true museum dedicated to persecution of the clergy and members of the religious community, with Shkoder being the cradle in terms of the fire that was kindled to persecute religion, plus other elements related to the city, not only the clergy, but also the families, and other interesting local stories. We can also create an archive about the witnesses. It can be created by interviewing witnesses who are still alive and by digitizing their stories, as well as by shooting films and images in cells and other prison premises. The cells block is spectacular, yet there is need for intervention. Another investment is needed and a good project should be drafted. It is fortunate that this space is available. The site will be totally redesigned. This is the proper site to showcase history of persecution and religion. Its library can be enriched too,” the Premier Rama suggested.
