ADMINISTRIMI SHTETËROR I KËNGËS TRADICIONALE QYTETARE SHKODRANE GJATË PERIUDHËS SOCIALISTE
STATE ADMINISTRATION OF THE TRADITIONAL CIVIC SONG OF SHKODRA DURING THE SOCIALIST PERIOD

Summary/Abstract: Albania’s state-socialist period constitutes one of the most intensive phases of change in the sphere of its traditional music, especially in traditional urban song. Its subjection to state administration and ideological criteria have not yet been properly researched, despite their obvious scholarly interest. This paper aims to take a step in this direction, relating to Shkodra’s urban song as a case study. Initially an outline of socialist policies concerning folklore and traditional music is made, deepening then specifically on its stance towards traditional urban song. Distinguishing three relatively distinct phases of this,an analysis of the actual cultural work with urban song is made, concentrating on the two constitutive processes of filtering or elaboration to which the tradition was subjected: selection and actualization. Being impossible to instrumentalize without perverting its style, the traditional repertoire was politically sanitized by stripping off its metaphysical dimension, purging “class enemies”, and “moderating” its emotionality. On the other hand, ubiquitous traditional motives like the flower, the nightingale or the spring were too convenient for the socialist idyll, preserving moreover the semblance of “folk” authenticity.

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