From Sokrat Shyti
Part forty-five
Memorie.al / The writer Sokrat Shyti is the “great unknown” who, for several years, has shown the tip of the iceberg of his literary creativity. I say this based on the few published books of his in recent years, mainly the voluminous novel “The Ghostly Night” (Tirana 2014). The novels: “BEYOND THE MYSTERY”, “BETWEEN TEMPTATION AND WHIRLPOOL”, “THE DIGS OF NIGHTMARE”, “THE SHADOW OF SHAME AND DEATH”, “THE HEADLESS COLONEL”, “THE HOPEFUL NAMES”, “THE CONFUSIONS OF FATE” I, II, “SURVIVAL IN THE COWS’ SHED”, as well as other works, all novels ranging from 350 to 550 pages, are in manuscripts waiting to be published. The dreams and initial fervor of the young novelist, returning from studies abroad full of energy and love for art and literature, were early cut short by the harsh blade of the communist dictatorship.
Who is Sokrat Shyti?
Returning from studies at the State University of Moscow, just after the interruption of Albanian-Soviet relations in 1960, Sokrat Shyti worked at Radio “Diapazon” (which at that time was located on Kavaja Street), in an editorial office with his friends journalists – Vangjel Lezho and Fadil Kokomani – both later arrested and subsequently executed by the communist regime. In addition to the radio, the 21-year-old Sokrat, if we imagine him, had passionate literary interests at that time. He wrote his first novel “Madam Doctor” and was on the brink of publication, but… alas! Right after the arrest of his friends, to fill the cup, a brother of his, a painter, escaped abroad.
Sokrat was arrested in September 1963, and in November of that year, his family (with his mother and younger sister) was interned in a place between Ardenica and Kolonje of Lushnja. For 27 consecutive years, the family lived in a cowshed made of reeds, without windows, while Sokrat was subjected to forced labor. Throughout those 27 years, he was legally obliged to report three times a day to the local authority. He had no right to move from the place of internment, was deprived of any kind of documentation, and so on. Under these conditions, among a cowshed, he gave birth to and raised children. It is precisely from this event, or rather a very long history of persecution, that he based his writing of the book “Survival in the Cows’ Shed”!
Agron Tufa
Continues from the last issue
EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK “SURVIVAL IN THE COWS’ SHED”
His sweetness penetrated deep into my soul, nurturing the purest crystalline love for people, infusing my blood with a completely special feeling that generally lacks in others, erasing the seeds of resentment, insults, and hatred that sow enmity and covert hostility! Equipped with divine love and adored behavior, he radiated endless kindness everywhere and was always ready to help anyone in need. We became so closely connected from my early childhood that he naturally became my spiritual guide, alongside my father, and both had a significant and powerful influence on the formation of my character.
(Around that time, I noticed with pleasure that I began to cultivate almost the same traits as my second brother, Llazari, who died in youthful bloom at eighteen, when I was eight years old, causing me the most profoundly shaking pain, as I loved him more than any brother or sister in our large family, and I could never accept that he had left this world forever!)
When my dear uncle entered the room where I was sitting, it seemed to me as if the spring sun itself had entered, and the space around me filled with divine love and warm tenderness! I do not know how many minutes we spent kissing and embracing each other, caught up in the eternal longing that had no beginning or end! I only noticed the hotel manager, who was moved to tears observing the scene of this unusual expression of love between the uncle and nephew, something that rarely happens even when a father and son meet after a long time. (He would have remained watching this touching scene if he hadn’t felt out of place). So, he left on tiptoe to leave us alone, knowing that after our embraces, we would sit down to talk.
– “Finally, the ice of isolation has broken!” my beloved uncle said with a sigh when we took our place at the table. “I have called it and continue to call it a miraculous turn, which appeared unexpectedly like a bright rainbow after a series of downpours!” I replied with a joyful gaze, realizing that the meeting imagined thousands of times by both of us had turned into a tangible reality.
– “Although I have heard something in general terms, no one tells me better than your mouth how this sudden kindness descended after that terrible catastrophe that wounded our hearts and souls…!” he said with teary eyes.
I began the story from the roots of the turning point, explaining how the void was created in the body of the amateur theater group of the Culture House, after the forced departure of a member for serious family reasons, which caused an unsolvable deadlock for the further progression unless it was quickly replaced, considering that the problem presented itself quite seriously. First, an explanation had to be given to the Ministry of Culture and the Culture and Propaganda Sector at the Central Committee of the Party, why the district of Lushnja would not be represented at the National Olympic Games of amateur theaters, and what happened that abruptly hindered the entire progression?!
– “Since they found no convincing explanation, and criticism would inevitably flood in regarding this interruption, they returned once again to the only saving path—to replace the role with a capable actor who would take on the role within a very short time. The leaders of this artistic activity asked the comrades participating whom they thought should replace the role, hoping that they too were concerned about this interruption. They were taken aback by the answer when my name was mentioned! After this moment of astonishment, which caught them by surprise, opposing forces arose strongly against this proposal, under the suffocating pressure of the fear of class struggle, as no one dared to express their opinion.
Everyone shrugged their shoulders, provided no explanation, leaving it understood that this “burning issue” could only be resolved by the great leader of the Party.
– “They were right. Who has the audacity to give an opinion on such a delicate matter? No one dares to open their mouth,” my uncle added.
– “Fortunately, the first secretary of the Party Committee happened to be kind-hearted, with a European vision and a courageous character. As soon as my name arrived in his office, he expressed immediate interest. Without any hesitation, he ordered that I become a member of the amateur theater group, leaving the smaller bosses shocked. Like a miracle descended from the sky, his interest in me did not end there; he went further: he ordered the head of the Internal Affairs Department to bring to his office the decision of the Government Commission for Internment and Exiles concerning our family. After carefully reading it, he discovered the deliberate abuse of the decision, as it did not mention the place of residence, the village or camp, especially “the cowshed” where we were interned and languished for three years!
Outraged by this vengeful distortion (which, to remain undisclosed, was left anonymous but was easily understood to be a farce concocted by malicious people against me), the great Party leader held the head of the Internal Affairs Department accountable and put him before the responsibility of explaining why a patriotic family, with a healthy composition, like the family of Thanas Shyti, an illegal base in the heart of the city, which risked hundreds of times for the sake of the war, furthermore an artistic family that honors the name of Lushnja, was treated by your Internal Affairs Department as fiercely as a criminal family?!
– “It is evident that the head of the Internal Affairs Department pretended to be ignorant before the first secretary, claiming that the maneuvers were devised without his knowledge, when in fact such serious actions could hardly be carried out without formally consulting the head. Not only he, who is seasoned with oil and vinegar, but even the most naive understands that when the decision does not mention the place of punishment, the scheme was crafted by low-life scoundrels from Tirana, who want to see you dragged down!” my uncle emphasized nervously.
– “I share the same opinion. As I mentally entered the labyrinths of this filthy and quite dangerous backstage, my doubts led me to certain individuals known in the field of literature. But let’s leave that point here, as it is neither the place nor the time to deal with intrigues of this nature. Have you happened to hear the name of the great leader of the Party in our circle?” I asked with an expectant look.
– “Not only do I know his name and surname, but I also know him personally,” my uncle replied with a smile. “Right here, where we are talking, he had lunch four years ago when a Party Conference took place. I served him myself. At that time, he was working in the Central Committee with an important task. Later, he was appointed the first secretary of the Party Committee in Lushnja. We had quite a chat back then. He was sweet-talking, smiling, quite polite, and communicative. I felt pleased to serve him! That’s all for now. Now you continue further from where I interrupted you…,” he urged me.
– “Such leaders are very few. I don’t exaggerate when I say that in our entire country, they don’t exceed the fingers of your hands. With them, grandeur naturally intertwines with courage and the establishment of justice. They are willing and capable of taking on extremely heavy burdens on their shoulders to fulfill a noble purpose, even though they know full well that they will face bitter consequences from the cynics with black hearts, who cannot even sleep at night, plotting covert traps!” I emphasized.
– “I know, dear nephew, I know how terrible traps against honorable people are woven and fabricated by intriguers in all layers of society. I also know where these injustices originate…” added my uncle with a grim look. “That’s why today you must use seven tricks and bravery to manage.”
– “But how do you handle this terrible mess if you cannot pretend?” I asked curiously.
– “Only with humor and laughter. Have you heard the saying: when you have nowhere to turn, you must tell the pig ‘uncle’? When I find myself near the kadis (judges), I only talk in that language so I don’t sink inside. Then, to please them, I accompany my response with a laugh typical of Berat, because when the kadis catches you, you have nowhere to make your excuses. There is no other way to remove the noose from your neck except through humor and laughter. But you have to know how to use them wisely so that the great man doesn’t sniff out the foul smell of the needy. Because even the slightest hint can lead to disaster.
The situation changes when the big shots charge at each other: in these cases, they use their horns, like bulls. I can vividly imagine how difficult your Party leader has had it dealing with the contradictions of the chairman of the Executive Committee and the heavy kadis who plotted the chaos of your shelter in the cowshed. You must always keep in mind: these monsters will never give up on their malice!”
– “They activate the most sinister parts of their brains, weaving threads of traps and intrigues,” I added under the pressure of internal revolt, “Even when the opponents became convinced that they could not reverse and break the decisions of the first secretary of the Party Committee, they did not give up on their aim, but found another way to undermine me directly!”
– “What have they schemed?” he asked, quite worried.
– “Two days ago, I learned that my name appears on the list of new recruits!”
– “I feared this dirty bargain! It was impossible not to concoct and devise a trap behind our backs!” my uncle emphasized with a deep sigh. “The kadis and petty officials, who hold the stone and the nut, stir and simmer inside until they find a chance to strike and crush us. You must have been inquiring and asked your acquaintances; on what legal basis does the draft notice for military service rely?!”
– “According to the explanation of the district prosecutor, with whom I have acquaintances (a competent lawyer and mentioned as a good person), the decision of the Mobilization Directorate in the Ministry of People’s Defense is deemed completely illegal. There is a specific article in the Constitution that states: ‘Interned persons are not allowed to perform mandatory military service…’!”
– “But after this explanation, did he not provide you with guidance on how to act against it?” my uncle asked with much curiosity.
– “Here’s where the gears get stuck,” he said, “because we are hindered by the well-known saying: ‘When the kadis catches you, you have nowhere to make your excuses.’ The schemers, he added, know how to put the devil in the bottle and pull it out of its neck when it serves their wicked purposes.
Regarding your case, he continued with his reasoning (which aligns with my own thoughts), they have exploited two decisions of the first secretary in favor of the family (the relocation from the cowshed and the placement in education). On these two decisions, they have based the military draft notice, using as an argument the new circumstances, which automatically overturn the legal nickname ‘interned’ and leave only the secondary part, ‘expelled’. According to him, it is also possible that they have prepared the necessary papers for the Government Commission. They have benefited from the proposal of the first secretary, who put forth the idea in the presence of the chairman of the Executive Committee and the head of the Internal Affairs Department, to legally remove the label ‘interned’ from our family. Perhaps at that moment, when they expressed their approval of the first secretary’s opinion, they had in mind to dodge the trap and formulate the new scheme: under the new conditions of changing the status from internment to expulsion, since he is at the borderline age, he must be called to military service.”
– “I understand, dear nephew, I understand. They are the wretches of wood and rope! They have crafted the document in such a way that the first secretary of the Party Committee has no avenue left to come to your defense. There’s nothing you can do: This great burden has caught you, and you will have to bear it! But at least you will leave without the heavy load of anxiety; you will leave sound-minded, because you are leaving your mother and sister in the stone house, and when you return from the military, you will work in education. When I imagine how much the three of you have suffered during these three years, the military call seems like the least of your worries.
No matter how much the frogs croak in the military farms and annoy you for serving mandatory military service, only the declassed will suffer. You must keep in mind that physically, you won’t exhaust yourself more than you endured during these years as a laborer. As for the heavy insult of being ‘declassed,’ you need to leverage your skills, as a journalist and an actor, to soften this nickname for yourself. Because in the army, there are certain characteristics that differ from civilian life. Certainly, class struggle exists here too. But in the meantime, they keep soldiers with rare abilities close.
– “We’ll see, we’ll see…” I said, sighing.
– “Don’t be pessimistic! All good things do not come at once. Three miracles in a very short time, which came as if they descended from the sky, must be valued by us. This fact should always be kept in mind. Now it’s the time for the most joyful news—your engagement, which will fill my soul with the nectar of life,” he added with a twinkling eye. “Or do you want to save this for the end, like the dessert of the conversation? First, tell me how pure love was born between you two?!”
– “The beginning served as my entrance to the amateur theater when I was accepted as a member of the group to replace the one who left. Arqilini, or short Lika, as they call my fiancée, plays the role of the aristocratic mother in the play, while I am her son.
– “Even in the performance, they assigned you the declassed role!”… My uncle laughed. “If it weren’t like that, they wouldn’t have given it to you,” I replied with a smile.
– “Was that where you met for the first time?” he asked.
– “No, we met a few years ago, in childhood, when the Culture House organized cultural brigades and sent us to the villages to put on performances. Then I left Lushnja, our connections were interrupted, and we didn’t see each other again. First, I studied in Shkodër, then in Moscow. When I returned from there, I settled in Tirana…”
– “God save us from madness!” my uncle said suddenly.
– “Why do such terrible injustices happen to us?! You must have two minds to withstand and endure the shocks caused by the earthquakes of betrayal?! Instead of the opposite happening—where the state would appreciate and honor according to merit for the excellent results in studies—it imposed upon you the worst and most barbaric punishment, internment in the cowshed, because your second brother had the urge to break free and escape from sight!” All this was described in her letter by my sister, Ana!… I can’t recall now what your fiancée’s surname is…?”
– “Tusha,” I emphasized. “They are from Berat on both sides.”
– “It has to do with Petraq Tusha, your future father-in-law?” he asked with a twinkle in his eye.
– “For sure?!”
– “It seems so…” I responded, not entirely sure.
– “That’s enough for me to have a clear idea about her family!” my uncle pointed out.
– I added, “Perhaps I have encountered him as well, but I do not remember now. You won’t find a second sweet-talking companion like Petraq Tusha in Berat!” he said with obvious pleasure. “He wins you over with his appearance, as an elegant and pleasant man, and warms and cheers you with his fatherly demeanor!”
– “I remember his elegant silhouette and cheerful face. Despite the fact that a considerable amount of time has passed since the day you introduced me to him, the sound of his voice still resonates in my ears. I know that you have some common traits; you resemble each other?!”
– “You flattered me by comparing me to this wonderful man!” my uncle said. “I am glad that your fiancée belongs to this family! Now let’s move on to the main issue that concerns us and that we will resolve. My dear sister has detailed this in her letter. When do you plan to hold the ceremony?”
– “On March 5. This is conditioned by my departure for military service. I heard from someone that in April, the departure might occur. So we cannot postpone it any longer?! Memorie.al
Continues next issue
