Sejfulla Malëshova
Encyclopedia
Sejfulla Malëshova was an Albania
n politician and writer.
and then to Moscow
, where he studied and then taught Marxism. In 1930-1932 he joined the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
, but was subsequently expelled as a Bukharinist. He became a charter member of the Albanian Communist Party and a member of its Politburo
prior until 1946. He used to appear as a self-proclaimed rebel poet of the guerrilla war against the Italian and German occupying armies in Albania, and became known by his pen name Lame Kodra. In 1945, he was appointed Minister of Culture
and Propaganda. In the same year, he was elected president of the newly founded Albanian League of Writers and Artists
, which consisted of seventy-four members initially, with several non-communist intellectuals among them. The League took over the publication of well-known Albanian literature Drita magazine
.
Malëshova had emerged as a moderate communist, often inviting publications without regard to their ideological content, which brought him the wrath of Enver Hoxha
, particularly after an appeal by the Writers League to Harry Truman and Clement Attlee
for Western recognition of Albania
. In 1946, Hoxha accused Malëshova of "rightist deviation" and expelled him from the communist party. Following his dismissal, a persecution against the writers ensued, many of whom were harassed and imprisoned by the communist authorities.
Malëshova spent the rest of his life as a warehouseman in Fier
, shunned by almost all fellow citizens. If anyone dared speak to him, he would pinch his lips with his fingers, to remind the vow of eternal silence which would ensure his survival. He died an outcast in 1971. His funeral was attended only by his sister, the gravedigger and two Sigurimi
agents
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
n politician and writer.
Career
In 1924, a 23 years old Malëshova was Fan Noli's personal secretary. He held that position after having studied some medicine in Italy. After Noli's government was overthrown, Malëshova fled to ParisParis
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
and then to Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, where he studied and then taught Marxism. In 1930-1932 he joined the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
Communist Party of the Soviet Union
The Communist Party of the Soviet Union was the only legal, ruling political party in the Soviet Union and one of the largest communist organizations in the world...
, but was subsequently expelled as a Bukharinist. He became a charter member of the Albanian Communist Party and a member of its Politburo
Politburo of the Party of Labour of Albania
The Politburo was the leading organ of the Party of Labour of Albania. The following is the composition of the Politburo that would be formed after every Congress of the Party. The politburo for the 1941-1948 period is not included....
prior until 1946. He used to appear as a self-proclaimed rebel poet of the guerrilla war against the Italian and German occupying armies in Albania, and became known by his pen name Lame Kodra. In 1945, he was appointed Minister of Culture
Minister of culture
A culture minister is a Cabinet position in some governments responsible for protecting the national heritage of a country and promoting cultural expression....
and Propaganda. In the same year, he was elected president of the newly founded Albanian League of Writers and Artists
Albanian League of Writers and Artists
The Albanian League of Writers and Artists is an organization of creators, located in Tirana, Albania, which includes writers, composers, and artists and critics of the literary and artistic values.- History :...
, which consisted of seventy-four members initially, with several non-communist intellectuals among them. The League took over the publication of well-known Albanian literature Drita magazine
Drita (magazine)
Drita magazine is an Albanian literary magazine published by the Association of the Young Modern Artists of Albania . Drita was one of the first magazines in the Albanian language. It has been published for 127 years with some interruptions.-History: 1883-1922:Drita was one of the first magazines...
.
Malëshova had emerged as a moderate communist, often inviting publications without regard to their ideological content, which brought him the wrath of Enver Hoxha
Enver Hoxha
Enver Halil Hoxha was a Marxist–Leninist revolutionary andthe leader of Albania from the end of World War II until his death in 1985, as the First Secretary of the Party of Labour of Albania...
, particularly after an appeal by the Writers League to Harry Truman and Clement Attlee
Clement Attlee
Clement Richard Attlee, 1st Earl Attlee, KG, OM, CH, PC, FRS was a British Labour politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1945 to 1951, and as the Leader of the Labour Party from 1935 to 1955...
for Western recognition of Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
. In 1946, Hoxha accused Malëshova of "rightist deviation" and expelled him from the communist party. Following his dismissal, a persecution against the writers ensued, many of whom were harassed and imprisoned by the communist authorities.
Malëshova spent the rest of his life as a warehouseman in Fier
Fier
Fieri is a city in southwest Albania, in the district and county of the same name. It is located at , and has a population of 82,297 . Fier is from the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Apollonia.-History :...
, shunned by almost all fellow citizens. If anyone dared speak to him, he would pinch his lips with his fingers, to remind the vow of eternal silence which would ensure his survival. He died an outcast in 1971. His funeral was attended only by his sister, the gravedigger and two Sigurimi
Sigurimi
The Drejtoria e Sigurimit të Shtetit , commonly called the Sigurimi, was the state security, intelligence and secret police service of the Socialist People's Republic of Albania...
agents