“GODITJA” NË LETËRSI, ARTE DHE KULTURË NË VITIN 1973
“COUP” IN LITERATURE, ARTS AND CULTURE IN 1973

Summary/Abstract: At the beginning of the 70s of the last century in Albanian society, especially among young people, the need for change and openness to the Western world, to its culture and art, as well as to the joy of life was felt more and more. This trend was considered dangerous by the communist leadership and its leader Enver Hoxha. For this reason, culture, literature and arts were penalized. As powerful influencing factors in people, extensive action was taken against them to strike at their natural tendencies to modernize. The decisions of the 4th plenum of the APS 1973 resulted in fact as a reprisal against artists, writers, creators, who were criticized, insulted, publicly humiliated and some of them were exiled and imprisoned. The purpose and political content of this plenum consisted in suppressing every tendency and manifestation of liberalism and so-called "foreign influences" in literature, arts and culture. When Enver Hoxha condemned the 11th Song Festival on Radio and Television at the beginning of 1973, numerous meetings and analyzes followed in the party forums in the months of January-June 1973, to reach the decisions of the IV Plenum, held on 26-27 June 1973. The unmasking and lynching activity undertaken by the communist regime was part of the extremism of the oppressive, intimidating, divisive policy towards Albanian creators with liberal tendencies and inspirations. The numerous publications that followed after this plenum assumed the character of a strict analysis and selection. The official critical thought of the time increased control over all published books, theatrical performances, films, musical creations, stage performances, etc. The reason why culture, literature and arts were hit was the fact that they were strongly influencing the general Albanian public. Their humanistic, emancipatory spirit was openly manifested in the need for more freedom of thought, for the cultivation of advanced aesthetic and artistic tastes, for the provision of a more beautiful and modern lifestyle, for tastes and affections towards the West, etc. The communist regime took strict measures, which resulted in the creation of a climate of terror. This blow to culture, literature and the arts was the ominous beginning of the retaliation that would follow in all areas for the asphyxiation of any pro-Western liberal tendencies.

• Details
• Contents