This November 29, 2024, the day after its national day, Albania celebrates the 80th anniversary of its liberation. A memorable event since the Albanian partisans managed to liberate the country alone without help from either the Soviets or the Anglo-Americans. If the date is controversial in Albania, it is because it is false. It was on November 28, 1944, in reality, that the great victory parade took place in the streets of Tirana, when Shkodër, the second city of the country, had just in turn been liberated. And it was a special occasion, because this day also coincided with Independence Day.
Where did the date of November 29 come from, which was adopted the following year to celebrate the victory? It is that of the proclamation of the People's Republic of Yugoslavia which itself referred to the congress of communist partisans of Jajce which established the foundations of a new, communist and federal Yugoslavia. Enver Hoxha, a great admirer of Tito, had for a moment dreamed of the integration of Albania into this new state where many Albanians live. The choice of this date was a way of allegiance. The break will come quickly between the two brotherly countries, but the date of November 29 remains.
Its detractors propose either moving it to November 28, but it is already Independence Day and the liberation of the country would risk being overshadowed; or to move it to November 17 which is the date of the liberation of Tirana which the Germans abandoned so as not to find themselves trapped there. It was the day the national flag was raised in the capital to replace that of the Nazis. The date is symbolic, but it would put too much emphasis on Mehmet Shehu, commander of the first partisan brigade, the big winner of the battle for the liberation of the capital. This is undoubtedly what Enver Hoxha thought, fearing that this pillar of the regime would overshadow him until the latter finally committed “suicide” in 1981. But Mehmet Shehu is also a war criminal with a track record of the country has little desire to show off. So many episodes that the Albanians prefer to forget. Some then suggest adopting May 8, a date celebrated by around twenty NATO members. Another symbolic option. After this 80th anniversary, the debate remains open.
An article from theAlmanach international editions BiblioMondeNovember 28, 2024
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