Albania’s Forgotten Stalinist Camp Holds Dark Secrets of the Past
A grim reminder of Albania's past lies neglected at the northern edge of Tepelenë. The former internment camp, built during the Italian occupation and repurposed in 1949, stands as a stark testament to the Stalinist surveillance state under Enver Hoxha. Despite its significance, the town prefers to highlight other landmarks, leaving the camp unmarked and largely forgotten.
Krenar Çota, a shepherd and former mayor of Tepelenë, offers guided tours of the camp, providing valuable insight into its history. He reveals that the camp once held members of the former elite, officers, intellectuals, and their families, imprisoned without charge or trial. The camp operated from 1949 to 1953, a dark period in Albania's history.
Tens of thousands were subjected to similar fates across the country, their stories echoing the grim reality of the time. Today, the path to the former camp is difficult, with the GPS struggling to find the destination. The camp exists almost solely in the memories of a few and in the ruins that remain.
The Tepelenë camp serves as a poignant reminder of the past, with 350 children among its estimated 350 victims. Despite the town's preference to focus on other landmarks, the camp's history deserves recognition and remembrance. Efforts to preserve and acknowledge this part of Albania's history could help ensure that such atrocities are never repeated.
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