ALB
ENG
Prepared exclusively for Albanian Free Press by Albert Z. Zholi
At the “Eagle” roundabout, on the right, in a narrow alley resembling to the old traditional alleyways of Tirana, in a simple apartment bloc lives comrade (as she prefers to be addressed) Nexhmije Hoxha. The building has remained as it has been in the past. It was built during Enver’s time (like the residents prefer to say). In the ground floor, there are three families. When we knock, Pranvera, Nexhmije’s daughter opens the door.
Inside Nexhmije Hoxha’s room
As soon as the door opens, Nexhmija tries to stand up, she shakes my hand and smiles. Once we meet, she invites me to take a seat. We spend a couple of minutes conversing on different things, health, work, families, children, the recent political developments. “I’ve enjoyed life and lived among many nephews and nieces”, Nexhmije says. “I have 7 grandchildren who have filled me with so much joy and pride. They have filled my biggest void during these years”. On top of the dresser there are two portraits of Enver Hoxha and on the right hand side there’s a rare photo of Nexhmije Hoxha taken in 1944 in Biza, Martanesh, in the US-British air base. On the side there’s also a painting of Nexhmije Hoxha, when she was a student in the “Mother Queen” women institute. On the left corner of the room there’s another painting of Enver Hoxha, painted by a young painter who lived in France.
A confession through photos and paintings
When I ask her who did the photos and paintings, where and when they have been done, Nexhmije answers: “The main photo which is above my head and the photo where Enver is in Drilon on the outdoors, among water fountains and trees, was shot by Sulo Gradeci”, Nexhmije explains. “Almost all the photos taken in Drilon and Pogradec, were taken by him. At work, on holiday or at family gatherings, it was Sulo Gradeci who took most of the photos. This is his most popular photo. The majority of family photos were also taken by Sulo Gradeci”.
“The main oil painting was made by Myrteza Fushekati. This is one of the most beautiful paintings which have been reproduced many times”, Pranvera says. In this painting, Enver is in his office, smiling. A very popular painting, which is in high demand”. As far as the photo where he appears near a tent during the Second World War is concerned, Nexhmije says that this photo was taken in Biza, Martanesh, where the US-British air base was situated.
A perfect memory
What impressed me about the conversation that I had with her was her memory. An incredible memory for a 96 year old. I can say that during the entire conversation, she never repeated something twice or corrected herself. I can say that my conversation with her and with Vito Kapo has impressed me a lot. Two women who have gone through a lot in life, receiving many blows, but they have a memory which would be envied by any 50 year old.
Liberation war
When we talked about the liberation war, Nexhmije often nodded. “I don’t understand why so much mud is being thrown on this war. Even our former allies have praised it”. Then, she shows me a voluminous book (which she gives to me as a gift) which she has written about this heroic war. She doesn’t hesitate to say that “this remains the biggest struggle of the nation and the most organized war effort of the Albanian people”.
BIOGRAPHY
Nexhmije Hoxha biography
Nexhmije Hoxha was born on 8 February 1921 in Manastir, but her parents were from Dibra. In 1928, her family moved to Tirana. She completed high school in the Pedagogic Women Institute in Tirana. After the war, she continued her university studies at the Faculty of Literature. She has participated in the meetings of the Albanian Communist Youth on 22-23 November 1941, when the party was founded. During the war effort, she participated as a delegate in all national conferences that were held and also in the conference of Peza, Labinot and Permet. After the war, she held many high posts in the party and society. In the first Congress of the Communist Party, she was elected member of the Central Committee. For a long time she also serves as president of the Albanian Anti-Fascist Women Union. She has also been a member of the National Assembly. Nexhmije Hoxha has been head of the Department of Propaganda, Education-Culture at the Central Committee of the Albanian Labor Party. From 1966, she was also the head of the Institute of Marxist-Leninist Studies at the Central Committee of the Albanian Labor Party. She has published several books. In 1998 she was elected chair of the Democratic Front of Albania. She has been honored with 13 decorations and the “Hero of Socialist Work” Order. She married Enver Hoxha on 1 January 1945 and they brought three children to life, 2 boys and 1 girl.
