Painter and first cello in the National Theatre of Opera, Lekë Tasi was forced to leave Tirana and exiled in an internment camp in Lushnje with his family in October 15th 1975. His uncle had died in prison, his father 20 months after being released from a political prison. He was 46 years old, his artistic life had been stopped and he would spend in an internment camp the 15 years sentence, working as a cooperative farmer until 1990, when the communist regime collapsed. In a memoir published years ago, he describes the everyday life in a labour camp in detail, documenting work, oppression and stories of a time without freedom.

In the evening of 20th February 2024, now 95 years old, Lekë Tasi participated in the opening ceremony of “Memory Days”, an annual event focused on dealing with the communist past in Albania. Concerned about how the history will be told when the witnesses will no longer be alive, he considers that there is a lack of attention about publishing testimonies, studies and memoirs on the dictatorship period. “An unjustified and unjust neglect. We need more books, studies and attention”, he says.

EU Ambassador to Albania, Silvio Gonzato, in his remarks, welcomed Mr. Tasi’s presence and paid tribute to his life. He reminded the audience that the past contributes to shaping the future, and that dealing with the past is necessary to consolidate democracy.

“Sharing real experiences of survivors, stories of historians and researchers through conferences, art performances and public discussions is an important and powerful part of the process. Yet, truth and justice are crucial not only for societal healing and social cohesion, but also for creating the general climate of justice and accountability, so important for democracy. Learning from the past empowers us to build a more resilient democratic society, so fundamental for Albania's place in the EU. We will continue to engage seriously with the Albanian institutions as well as civil society – and I hope, one day also with schools – to address Albania’s difficult communist past”, said Ambassador Gonzato.

EU Delegation to Albania

Aiming to give voice to the social debate, memory and consequences of the communist regime in Albania, for nine years, “Memory Days” (20-26 February) organized by the Institute for Democracy, Media and Culture and “Konrad Adenauer” Foundation, have had an important role on society's reflection on the communist regime. 

“Our work tries to strengthen the dialogue on the past through documentary screenings, exhibitions, studies, art, 'Ask Your Grandparents’ competition or international conferences, including different groups of the society from young people to researchers. This year, we published the trials against 35 officials of the Albanian communist leaders in ‘90-s, contributing to the discussion and reflection on Transitional Justice in the context of Albania. Meanwhile, Drama Club students from Tirana University, in an inspiring artistic performance, brought to life the once muted voices of courageous individuals and artists who stood against Albania’s Communist dictatorship”, explains Jonila Godole, Head of Institute for Democracy Media and Culture.  

Lekë Tasi’s work was part of the performance set against a backdrop of innovative lighting and sound, symbolizing the enduring human spirit’s relentless quest for freedom. Held at the Museum of Surveillance, Tasi himself would listen attentively to young students giving voice to intellectuals who couldn’t survive through dictatorship and hoping in the next generation approach to ex political prisoners fate. 

For years he has been an important voice on dealing with the past through his art, paintings, drawings, writings, exhibitions, interviews, testimonies and his presence as a living memory of people who survived through hard times. He represents artists, the political prosecuted people and the relatives of missing persons, as his uncle’s remains were never found.

“I too pronounce the daily 'yes' of need, but I keep alive within me the indomitable 'no' of resistance”, writes Tasi in his diary in 1975, quoting a poem he listened to on the radio during the time he was in a labour camp. At that time, he would ask himself if there was any resistance left. Almost a half century later his works of art are the answer.

Background information

Since 2017, the European Union is supporting Albania to find the missing persons during the communist regime, by empowering the security of files’ technical capacities, awareness-raising prerogatives and by increasing its coordination role. International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) implemented two projects for a total of approximately 1M€ EU contributions. A new project on “Supporting transitional justice and dealing with the past in Albania” with ICMP, started in February 2024 and aims to increase the engagement of the Albanian state institutions in resolving missing persons issue as a legacy of the past and increase social cohesion in Albania.