Diary of Albanian Chronicles

May 5th: Lule More Trima[1] - In Memory of the Fallen Heroes

May 5th, 1942, marks a significant event in the history of Albania, characterized by the tragic loss of Qemal Stafa, a national hero and emblematic figure of the resistance against Italian fascist occupation. Even then, Stafa stood out as one of the prominent personalities in the Albanian political landscape, having contributed to the founding of the Albanian Communist Party on November 8, 1941, well before figures like Enver Hoxha came to dominate the political scene prominently.

Stafa's role was considered, in many ways, even more influential than Hoxha's, making him not only a charismatic leader but also a threat in the eyes of some. His premature death in a firefight with fascist forces not only deprived Albania of a potential revolutionary leader but also opened the door to numerous speculations about power dynamics within the nascent communist party.

In the years following the fall of communism in Albania, the figure of Qemal Stafa has been at the center of renewed interest and debate. One of the most persistent theories suggests that Enver Hoxha himself might have had a role in his death to eliminate a rival and consolidate his leadership position. However, this accusation remains shrouded in mystery, as there is a lack of concrete evidence to confirm such a scenario, thus leaving room only for conjectures and hypotheses.

The loss of Qemal Stafa remains a painful point in the collective memory of the Albanian people, a symbol of the ultimate sacrifice for the ideal of freedom and independence, but also a warning about the dangers and complexities of political play in times of war and revolution.

Continuing the thread that characterized the previous article published on this blog, May 5th was chosen by the Albanian communist regime as the day of commemoration for the fallen of the Second World War. This decision reflected the desire to establish a sort of "secular liturgy," emphasizing the image of a united and resilient people in the fight against occupation forces.

During the peace conference held in Paris in August 1946, Enver Hoxha presented an impressive figure to the world: 28,110 Albanians, both men and women, had lost their lives in the conflict. This number, besides emphasizing the gravity of the Albanian sacrifice, also served to consolidate the position of the young communist state on the international stage, demonstrating its commitment and suffering in the anti-fascist struggle.

Thus, the choice of May 5th was not only a tribute to the fallen but also an element of national cohesion and political legitimation, encapsulating the message that the new government wanted to convey both internally and to foreign nations. This date has thus become a symbol of resistance and rebirth, annually reminding us of the price paid for freedom and independence of Albania.

During the communist regime in Albania, May 5th, along with November 28th and 29th—marking independence and the liberation of the country respectively—constituted the fundamental recurrences of the national calendar. This trio of holidays was emphasized to consolidate state identity and promote communist values. May 5th, in particular, was celebrated with great pomp as a day of homage to the martyrs of the resistance against Nazi-fascist occupation, closely linking the sacrifice of past heroes to the legitimacy and continuity of the regime. The celebrations included official ceremonies, educational activities, and mass programs, all aimed at strengthening national unity and state ideology.

Despite the repressive perception of the Albanian communist regime, May 5th remains a sacrosanct recurrence. This day celebrates the extreme sacrifice of the sons and daughters of Albania who fought and lost their lives in the resistance against Nazi-fascist oppression. The authoritarian nature of the regime does not tarnish the heroism and patriotism of these men and women, whose memory continues to be honored each year. This date, therefore, transcends the political context in which it was initially emphasized, symbolizing a legacy of courage and sacrifice that belongs to all the Albanian people, beyond ideological divisions.

After the fall of the communist regime in the early 1990s, Albania experienced a tumultuous transition phase marked by a particularly painful episode: the desecration of the tombs of Albanian partisans. Many sacred resting places of collective memory were violated by individuals driven by blind hatred towards the communist past. These acts of vandalism were not merely expressions of anger against the regime that had governed the country with an iron fist; they also represented an unfair attack on the partisans, who had fought for the independence and freedom of Albania, often without direct ties to subsequent repressive policies.

These acts of symbolic violence against fallen partisans reveal how complex the process of reconciling with the past in Albania was, highlighting the difficulty of separating the pain caused by the regime from the heroic deeds of those who opposed Nazi-fascist oppression. The destruction of these tombs inflicted a wound on the national memory, a wound that requires time and understanding to heal.

This period of disorder, however, remained only a painful and shameful parenthesis in the post-communist history of Albania. Over time, the Albanian society has been able to recognize and restore to the partisans the place they deserve in national history. Today, we Albanians commit to eternally remember our fallen and respect their sacrifice.

The commemoration of these figures, once the subject of controversy and violence, is now enveloped in a feeling of respect and gratitude. The collective memory has found a way to heal the wounds of the past, reaffirming the importance of honoring those who fought for Albania's freedom, regardless of subsequent political challenges. In doing so, we keep their legacy alive, ensuring that the lessons of history are not forgotten.

[1] The expression "Lule More Trima" comes from a popular Albanian song that pays homage to national heroes. "Lule" means "flowers," used here metaphorically to represent tribute and remembrance. "More" is a poetic interjection that can be translated as "oh," used to evoke a tone of solemnity and respect. "Trima" refers to "heroes" or "the brave." Therefore, the phrase can be interpreted as "Flowers, oh heroes," an exclamation that celebrates and remembers the brave fallen of the nation.