Dashnor Kaloçi
Memorie.al publishes some unknown press articles from the period of the Zog Monarchy of the late 1930s, which devoted special importance to the promotion of the tourist resources offered by Albania, where the National Tourism Organization developed a propaganda of through the press about some of the most frequented places, by local and foreign tourists, such as the cities of Pogradec or Korça, with their picturesque villages, such as: Mborja, Drenova, Morava, Bozdoveci, Boboshtica, Dardha, Voskopoja, Vithkuqi, etc., where among others it was said: “At the 17th kilometer from Korça. Without filling even one kilometer, we have to relax in Dardha. The road now passes through forests. An extremely beautiful picturesque view develops before the eyes when the car turns a corner of the road and let a part of Darda are seen. St. Peter’s grove, the fall stone for karshi, the suare hills in the West and the hills near Devolli Street in the East and Dardha in the middle. Nature has been very lenient, has blessed Dardha with a good climate and adorned it with the most beautiful colors. The Pardhars have not destroyed anything of this beauty; on the contrary, they have taken care to preserve it”
“The city of Korça offers not only an ideal climate, not only pure air, not only light, healthy and cold water, but also all the amenities of life. With 12 to 15 fr. gold per month, one finds in Korça a good room, nicely furnished, with one or two beds. Food is not expensive. The meat of Korça is very tasty, eggs, chicken and plenty of milk, perfumed butter, fruits and vegetables better than anywhere else. There is also no lack of entertainment. Entrance to the cinema, where the same films are played, which is also shown in Tirana, costs 2 ALL in the box office and 1 ALL in the parterre. This is what the daily “Drita”, one of the many newspapers of the Zog Monarchy period, wrote about the city of Korça, among other things, at the beginning of the summer of 1938, when the summer tourist season was getting ready to start and that city was populated by many visitors and vacationers, local and foreign. What were the other resources that the city of Korça and its villages offered too many tourists and visitors during the years of the Zog Monarchy and what problems did that city face at that time? What was the role and work that the municipalities, municipalities and the National Tourism Authority did at that time, for the promotion and development of tourism as much as possible, in that city with an excellent climate? Regarding these and other problems of this nature, we are aware of some writings and reports, which Memorie.al has cut from the press of the Zog Monarchy of 1938.
Continues from last issue
In the garden of Petraq Osmanlli
It is really a deep pleasure to spend a few hours in Petraq Osmanlli’s garden located on Mborje street and a few steps away from the new building of the National High School. On the occasion of the shest fair, a large majority of the people, who were buzzing in the streets of Mborje, stopped in this garden or rather, in this small and systematized forest. Here you see a beautiful building in the middle, covered with the shady branches of many trees and full of tables and chairs scattered in order, among the beautiful corners of this magical forest. The Korcarians themselves have attached the name “Money” to this attractive nature, which is contemplated in this garden. More than 600 people found here, returning from the fair, a place to sit and cold and selected drinks. Gathered in the dense shade of large trees, the various couples enjoy the music of the orchestra, inhale the clean and fresh air among a nature decorated with flowers and green colors that dominates everywhere this magnificent park. With such localities, Korça, a big city, is also a vintage center. For those who are unable to leave the city, such parks are a real salvation. They find a place where they can spend their rest time and strengthen their health.
In Drenova
In Drenova, on this day, a rich lunch was served by the council (Church Council, our note), cathedral for the members of the choir of the Metropolis, a choir which operates under the tireless direction of prof. Sotir Kozmo. Apart from the mixed choir, consisting of 60 boys and girls, I took part in this lunch. Math Mitrofori, Father Vasil Marko and the church council. All the students of the “Jovan Banka” Orthodox Seminary also participated here. At the same time, in the “Merkur” alcohol factory of Mr. Llambi Mano, director of the company in question and Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, hosted a rich lunch for the advice of the Chamber, attended by the poet Asdren, in addition to the advisors. Next Sunday, the “Rinia Korçare” extracurricular society, theater branch, will make a big family excursion in Bradvica, where nearly 200 people will participate. These excursionist movements are marking a distinct vitality in Korça.
The big tourist walks of the theatrical branch of the society “Rinia Korçare” in Saint-Kostanin of Bradvica. 200 boys and girls participated.
An internal tourist movement is being revived in our city: tourist excursions through the mountains and tourist places of Korça are often organized in these weeks. And it is a sin that the Korcharians, and especially the boys, on their days off, are locked in cafes or inside the city, while these days they have the opportunity to spend in contact with nature, in the fresh air and full of health. Drenova, Boboshtica, Dardha, Voskopopja, Vithkuqi and Pogradeci are beautiful and healthy villages where Korčari boys can have a lot of fun. However, the tourist movements of this summer, and especially the big excursion the day before yesterday organized by the theatrical branch of the company, “Rinia Korçare”, give us hope for a continuous start in the development of internal tourism in our region.
Tourist walks of the Theatrical Branch of Soq. “Korçare Youth”
It is the first time that such a magnificent tourist walk was carried out by the Korçare youth. Usually tourist walks and picnics are organized between friends and acquaintances; but the excursion the day before yesterday was not like that because there was also the goal of fraternization among the youth: most of the eyes did not know each other at all, but thanks to this excursion they got to know each other and spent a happy day with songs and dances in the romantic forest of Saint- Constantine of Bradvica. Saint-Kostandini i Bradvica am located only 20 km. far from Korça, in the mountains of “Morava”. Since the large group of 200 people was attended by about 70 ladies and gentlemen, it was decided that the departure from Korça should be made no later than 2 o’clock, on Sunday, before the morning in order to make the journey slowly so as not to tire them Girls. Exactly at the appointed time, all 200 excursionists took the road to Bradvica; the night was very beautiful and full moon; under the echoes of national songs, which sounded powerful in the stillness of the night, the human caravan passed through the Mborje village and entered the gorge of Skrka. Although the road was quite uphill, the boys did not stop singing. After leaving the dry and black gorge, they crossed the dense forests of Morava. After two hours of traveling through picturesque and forested areas, we reached “Çezma e Gjergos”, where the first stop was predetermined. Here the whole group stopped for breakfast. The water of “Gjergo’s Tap” is worth half a beer, since the delicious beer of Korça is made from this water. Here, the “Birra Korça” Company has installed a large warehouse and from here on with sulins (pipes, our note), which lead to the factory. On the lawn of the tap, the young men of the group got to know each other. After a rest of half an hour, the journey resumed to reach the top of Morava, some 1,700 m. high; here is Bozdoveci full of pine trees; a little further west, Dry rocks. At the far end, the mountains of Ostrovica, still covered with snow, greet you majestically. From the South; “Sharp stone” and the mountains of Darda, here is “Guri i Capi”.
In St. Constantine
A dense forest of centuries-old beech trees, a cold water tap, some beautiful lawns and a church complete the charms of this romantic place. Some friends, who had come since Saturday with the necessary food, pressured the excursionists. Twenty minutes of rest on the beautiful lawn, which was enough to relax from the four-hour journey? The ladies and gentlemen joined hands singing, started dancing, while the boys started different toys. To everyone’s delight, a group of uninvited Sazejins arrived shortly after. National dances were performed with pride by the boys and with elegance by the girls. A little further on, two small groups had laid down the Albanian language. With songs, brandy and beer. At 11 o’clock lunch was laid under the shade of the trees and everyone took their seats. From two cups of ouzo – not to whet the appetite, because no one felt this need – but to congratulate each other, they were emptied. “Brom, Akim”, I found you. “Krainar”, to find the good “bridges” and from humanity, so the boys were called by different names of the roles they played on stage. The lunch didn’t last long because the musicians continued their dance routines tirelessly and the youth’s blood was boiling. The entertainment continued unabated until 3 o’clock in the afternoon; the departure sign was given and after 10 minutes, the group took the road to Korça. (KTONA)
Dardha e Korça: The most beautiful place for autumn-Unparalleled natural beauty-The developed life of Dardha
A systematic propaganda about the beautiful places of Albania has not been done until today. Perhaps due to this reason, the fact that the attractive and healthy nature of our country is not recognized enough by the majority. Our goal is not to serve those few families who, weather after weather, go to the mountains or the mountains for summer. These, from the test they have done, know the qualities of these vices. Besides, it would be a limited service if we stopped there. We think, therefore, to give the autumn movement some kind of popularity. Let’s get to know our climatic countries as much as possible and thus cause a denser movement. Movement is a sign of vitality, and the strengthening of this brings with it well-being. But what can be the most beautiful seasons of autumn? Here, for example, Dardha e Korça fulfills all the conditions that give it the right to occupy a place of honor in the line of our vintage wines. It has two good things: very beautiful nature and developed society. Years, around this time, one of its editors who visited Dardha, published a long review on the life and nature of this very attractive climatic country. We are reprinting part of that report here.
Going to Dardha
The uphill to Dardha began. We pass a few kilometers and you feel that a diverse nature surrounds you. Nothing is monotonous. The road, which goes under the Biglla Mountains, leaves beautiful views on both sides. They are becoming more beautiful when the whole country starts to turn green. Mountains are not dry, they are forests. The green color, which now dominates everywhere, is eye-opening. The lines of the mountains, which sometimes end in some wild slope, sometimes bend alone, form the narrow horizon line. It’s not like on the field here, where the gaze stretches into space. At the 17th kilometer from Korça. Without filling even one kilometer, we have to get tired in Dardha. But why doesn’t it seem, where is Dardha? The road now passes through forests. An extremely beautiful picturesque scene unfolds before the eyes when the automobile turns a corner of the road and let a part of Darda are seen. St. Peter’s grove, the fall stone for karshi, the suare hills in the West and the hills near Devolli Street in the East and Dardha in the middle. Nature has shown itself to be very indulgent. He blessed Dardha with a good climate and adorned it with the most beautiful colors. The pear trees have not destroyed anything of this beauty; on the contrary, they have taken care to preserve it. How was this standard of living created in Dardha? The country is rich in itself. No, the country produces nothing. The Dardhars used to go into exile; we say they went that now no one can move the country. The doors of the vault were closed. Pears must live in Pears. What are they doing here? It is surprising how the people did not move from this place! Once over 2,000 inhabitants, today nearly 1,100 people are forced to live in this very beautiful place as a location, but poor from the wealth of the land. Should we use the forests? It would be a crime. It would collapse, all the beauty of Dardha would be lost, all the work of the painter Nature who adorned it with the most attractive colors in this climatically valuable place. And now Dardha is appreciated as such a place and therefore, they come here from all the countries of Albania to spend the summer season. Dardha became an important wine-growing place in Korça district. Nature and Dardhar contributed to this. They made sacrifices, melted thoughts, not only the Dardha people who live in this town-city today, but also the sons of Dardha who are in America, Romania and Greece. These were the kurbets of the Dardhars. They have formed societies, kept alive the fire of love for their Motherland, preserved their nationality and helped Albania and Dardha. The first Albanian club in America was founded by the Dardhars in 1909, in Cambridge, Mass. Today, the “Bee” Society of Romanian Pears sent money, with which the school was built, roads were opened, and taps were made. Drinking water is plentiful in Dardha.
How do those who spend the summer in Dardha spend their time?
Near the forest of Saint Thanas, in a convenient and beautiful position, the “Tursit-Park” hotel is located. The beautiful garden of this bar gathers everyone who spends the summer in Dardha. Lark from the village at an altitude of 1344 m. (the center of Dardha has an altitude of 1316 m.), “Tourist-Park” offers visitors the most convenient place to spend the day. Those who live in the houses and the hotel located inside the village, spend most of the day in the beautiful garden of the “Tourist-Park”. The visitors of Darda do not miss anything. Pears have a very developed sense of hospitality; they help and bring facilities to those who come for the summer. As developed as they are, they have realized that tourism is an important income for their country, the only income Dardha can have today. Private individuals as well as the society “Shpresa” of Dardhare do their best to make Dardha be visited as much as possible by Albanians and foreigners. This society maintains its offices and library in several parts of the school building. The books of this library are old and new Albanian publications. A majority of them are from the library of the “Young Dardhare of America” club, since after the dissolution of this club, the property went into the possession of the “Shpresa” Society of Dardha. The existence of this library, with a small adjustment, can be used for studies not only by Dardharians, but also by visitors who come here. The mineral water that is located 10 minutes away from the center and that is used according to the recommendations of doctors for stomach and kidney diseases should not be left unmentioned. In conclusion, it must be said that Dardha is in the first place of our climatic countries as a climate and as a developed society./Memorie.al
