In the tourist guide of the city of Shkodra, in addition to the Historical Museum, the “Rozafa” Castle or the “Marubi” National Museum of Photography, the Museum of Evidence and Memory is also included. Opened in the premises of the former branch of the internal affairs of the communist period, this museum, says Xheraldo Nikjari, is unique in Albania, part of the identity of the most persecuted city during the years of the communist regime.
“It is a typological museum, which is not found in any other country in Albania and, also, it has a great didactic and pedagogical value for the new generation, to learn what communism really was and what the consequences were”.
In the Museum of Evidence and Memory, the cells of former prisoners, the places of torture and interrogation, but also the suffering and resistance of the anti-communist elements of the city of Shkodra have been preserved. In the second pavilion of the museum, photos of hundreds of former political prisoners and those shot during the years 1944 to 1990, when communism was overthrown in Albania, are exhibited.
“Shkodra has had a number approaching 3 thousand political prisoners, 620 people have been executed, with or without trials, where 61 of them have been clergymen of all religions”, says Xheraldo Nikjari, who adds that in the prisons many of the city, according to research, 138 people, political opponents of the regime, have died during interrogation or torture.
The museum is a local initiative of 8 years ago, but with national dimensions in terms of its content and purpose, which makes it quite visitable by locals and foreigners, says the head of the Museum, Pjerin Mirdita, who adds that they are the citizens of Shkodra themselves, the best conservators and enrichers of the museum.
“The museum is embodied with the city and all of us contribute to protect it, as it is an identity for the city of Shkodra itself. In the near future, I believe that the museum, with the help of the Municipality of Shkodra, will have a new project”.
Like all museums, the Museum of Evidence and Memory in Shkodër brings views from the past, says Pjerin Mirdita, but from a past that should not be forgotten in order not to suffer.
