The bust of the founder of the Turkish state, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, has been placed in the “Rinia” park of the city of Elbasan.

The sculptor of many historical works in the city of Elbasan, as well as the latter, tells more about this figure.

“May 19 marks the 100th anniversary of the bond of friendship between Turkey and Albania. When he took power, he is a legendary figure, he turned the sultanates into a republic, made Turkey Republican. It’s like that idea of ​​the Enlightenment to civilize Turkey so that they treat us better”, says Vladimir Caridha, sculptor.

For Ataturk, there have often been doubts about his possible origin from the area of ​​Librazhdi. But historians and citizens share different views on the placement of his bust in Rinia Park.

“Unfortunately, I did not find out how and why it was decided, but if the city of Elbasan knows who Ataturk is, it will come to pay him great respects. It is very good that it has been decided, I have no objection. But the decision, just like in anonymous, without any kind of notification, without any kind of word, I would be the first to come”, says Hyqmet Zane, historian.

Citizens of Elbasan have a different opinion about this bust. Most of them think that it is wrong to place him in Elbasan and that instead he should be a historical figure of this city.

00:13 “It’s not right, we have our figures undecided. We don’t even recognize them, even in history we deny them, curse our figures. No one knows Ataturk”, says a citizen.

The placement of the bust of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in Elbasan came as a gift from the Mayor of Maltepe, in Turkey.