Festivali i Këngës 11 (Albanian for the "11th Song Festival") took place from 22 to 24 December 1972 in Tirana, Albania, and was organized and produced by (RTSH).
The Albanian dictator of the time, Enver Hoxha, perceived the organisers of the event to be "Enemies of the Public", a name given to all the subjects who he considered a danger to the country. Many of them were subsequently murdered after being accused of endangering the country's mentality by introducing an immoral aspect to the show, and plotting against the government by influencing the Albanian youth. The claims were out of context and these murders were used as an example and a statement for future organizers.
The program The festival was held on the 22, 23, and 24 of December 1972, over three nights. All 20 songs were presented on the first night, resung on the second one, and only the selection of the 10 best songs were sung again in the final.
The winner of the festival was Tonin Tërshana with "Kur vjen pranvera" (When spring comes).
+ First night22 December 1972 Title Composer Lyricist Artist First part 1 "" Josif Minga Shaban Murati Zija Saraçi 2 "" Agron Xhunga Ibrahim Gani Justina Aliaj 3 "" Flamur Shehu Betim Muço Shkëlqim Pashollari 4 ""Çesk ZadejaPetraq QafëzeziDorian Nini 5 ""Vasil ÇuniSadik BejkoLefter Agora 6 ""Gëzim LaroIlirian MeziniValentina Gjoni 7 ""Pjetër GaciFatos ArapiTonin Tërshana 8 ""Avni MulaTonin MilotiPetrit Dobjani 9 ""Alfons BalliçiAgim ShehuKompleksi i Elbasanit 10 ""Agim ProdaniDritëro AgolliEma Qazimi Second part 11 ""Françesk RadiSadik BejkoFrançesk Radi 12 ""Tasim HoshafiHilmi Hoxha 13 ""Ferdinand DedaLirim DedaFatbardha Rakipi 14 ""Aleksandër PeçiNatasha LakoLiliana Kondakçi 15 ""Aleksandër LaloRoland GjozaSuzana Qatipi 16 ""Enver ShëngjergjiEnver ShëngjergjiBashkim Alibali 17 ""Kujtim LaroSadik BejkoIliriana Çarçani 18 ""Tish DaijaLlazar SiliqiVaçe Zela 19 ""Kastriot GjiniAgim ShehuSherif Merdani 20 ""Agim KrajkaAgim ShehuLindita Sota
+ Final24 December 1972 Title Composer Lyricist Artist Place 1 "" Josif Minga Shaban Murati Zija Saraçi 2 ""Çesk ZadejaPetraq QafëzeziDorian Nini 3 ""Aleksandër PeçiNatasha LakoLiliana Kondakçi 4 ""Enver ShëngjergjiEnver ShëngjergjiBashkim Alibali 5 "" Pjetër Gaci Fatos Arapi Tonin Tërshana 1 6 ""Tish DaijaLlazar SiliqiVaçe Zela 7 ""Kujtim LaroSadik BejkoIliriana Çarçani 8 ""Kastriot GjiniAgim ShehuSherif Merdani 9 ""Agim ProdaniDritëro AgolliEma Qazimi 10 ""Agim KrajkaAgim ShehuLindita Sota
Political reactions and persecutions After the Festival, in the 4th Plenum of the Central Committee of the Labour Party, the Festival was openly criticised and all its songs banned. In all the newspapers of the time, individuals and different groups wrote and expressed their opinions about it and about foreign shows in general. The orientations coming from above encouraged that everyone should condemn them without fear and with revolutionary courage. This was the reason why the letters and writings coming from below, extremely threatening and wild, insisted that the Party take measures.
In a speech held at the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Enver Hoxha, had spoken mercilessly against the Director of RTSH, Todi Lubonja, who was arrested, tried and imprisoned, as well as the propaganda secretary of the Tirana Party Committee, Fadil Paçrami.
The director of the festival, Mihal Luarasi, was sentenced to spend 8 years in prison. His wife, Edi Luarai, who presented the festival, was fired together with the other presenter, Bujar Kapexhiu. Bujar was later sent to a forced labor camp.
The singer Justina Aliaj and authors Françesk Radi and Dorian Nini were also fired, banned from the festival and later persecuted.
References