“Tingujt e kujtesës” concert, where music and poetry were combined with historical evidence, brought unusual emotions last night in the hall of the Cultural Center of the Orthodox Cathedral in Tirana.

The commemorative concert comes for the second year in a row from the Kujto Foundation, with the support of the Swiss Embassy in Albania and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

This year the event was dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the revolt of Spaçi prison camp, where hundreds of political prisoners, among them artists, were forced to work in the mine, under very difficult conditions.

The song “Në pijetore unë jam ulur”, known and loved by the public, was created by a group of artists who were political prisoners in Spaç, in the 70s. Its composer is Andon Vanko, the verses were written by Astrit Delvina and Gëzim Medolli, while the orchestration was performed by trumpet player Ali Hoxha.

The song was sung in Spaçi prison, 5 or 6 Sundays in a row, in the few free hours allowed by the prison command in a place called the playroom. The chorus of the song was sung by a choir of prisoners led by the well-known bass player Lukë Kaçaj. All these great artists were simultaneously imprisoned in Spač.

Actress Ema Andrea moderated and interpreted poems by poets convicted in Spaç for political reasons, Visar Zhiti, Sadri Ahmeti, Havzi Nela, etc.

The other artists were mezzo-soprano Vikena Kamenica, baritone Ylber Gjini, pianist Kristina Laço, violinist Dorina Laro and violinist Fatos Bardulla.

The concert ended with the international award-winning short documentary “Carçafët e bardhë” written by Luljeta Progni, directed by Pandeli Çeço, dedicated to the multidimensional artist and architect, former political prisoner in Spaç, who died Maks Velo.

Spaçi Revolt culminated on May 21, 1973, and was violently suppressed by the communist regime leading to killing.