A gathering of surviving members from the Spaç communist-era prison took place on Tuesday in front of the memorial dedicated to former political prisoners in Shkodra.

The participants called for increased attention to survivors of communist prisons and advocated for the establishment of the Wall of Remembrance, commemorating approximately 6,000 individuals missing during the dictatorship.

Recently, these survivors traveled to the Vatican, where they shared their experiences with the Holy Father concerning the hardships endured during the dictatorship.

Besim Ndregjoni, the president of the Nationwide Union for the Integration of Former Political Prisoners, emphasized the pervasive silence from the political class regarding communist crimes and the sacrifices of Albanian anti-communists, highlighting the need to recognize these values, a sentiment endorsed by Pope Francis during the delegation’s visit to the Vatican.

The Spaç prison revolt participants underscored the urgency for the Albanian state to construct the Wall of Remembrance, dedicated to the 6,000 missing individuals from the communist era. Nuri Stepa, a former participant in the Spaç revolt, urged for a memorial in Tirana for his four executed comrades, emphasizing the lack of proper recognition for their sacrifices.

Demir Pojani, at 76 years old, reflected on the enduring impact of dictatorship, expressing a sense of lingering suppression despite the passage of over 30 years since the fall of communism. He conveyed a collective yearning for freedom, juxtaposed with a feeling that something crucial is still absent.

Although five decades have passed since the Spaç prison revolt, the infamous facility in the depths of Mirdita remains abandoned. Despite ongoing calls to transform it into a museum, each passing year sees it inching closer to decay and oblivion.

You can listen to their interviews here.