At the «Vehbi Umre» international Greco-Roman wrestling tournament. The bus journey to Izmir, Turkey, was both difficult and beautiful. After crossing the Albanian border, we entered Greek territory and passed through the cities of Thessaloniki, Kavalla and Alexandroupoli. At the Turkish border, the customs officers welcomed us generously, and our bus crossed at Çanekala by ferry; we then set off for Izmir, where we arrived at 3 a.m. Our friends from Turkey immediately arranged a warm welcome. — We became acquainted with wrestling in Turkey and with the 36 teams taking part in the «Vehbi Umre» international tournament. Arben Kola and his coach, accompanied by Nazim Molla, represented the «Besëlidhja» team in Turkey. The draw matched Arben Kola against Turkish, Syrian and Iranian wrestlers. In the elimination rounds, Arben stood out for his high technical and tactical preparation, defeating all six of his opponents in succession; among them was Turkey’s champion, Ahmet Barsen. The silver medal. The Albanian flag is raised high. Extraordinary emotion. The Albanians of Izmir gather around us and congratulate us all. The manager of Moscow’s «ÇSKA» club approaches and embraces us for this result. We immediately exchange badges and flags, exchange addresses, and are invited by Moscow’s «ÇSKA» team to hold friendly matches in Moscow. The next day we left Izmir and travelled to Istanbul, a city both beautiful and historic. We crossed one of the world’s most beautiful bridges, which divides two continents, and entered Istanbul’s large square, visited by a million tourists every day. We visited the Blue Mosque, a true marvel. They spoke to us with affection about Albania, about Sami Frashëri, Hoxha Tahsimi, the architect Sinani, and many others. We left Turkey behind and returned to Albania with a satisfying result in Greco-Roman wrestling: sixth place among 36 teams, while Arben Kola of «Besëlidhja» took second place, winning the silver medal. ANTON VANE «Besëlidhja» Sports Club … stood out in the elimination rounds Ahmet Barsen. On the second day of competition, in the final, Arben Kola wrestled the Soviet Andrej Bezhmikov. Arben fought a fierce sporting contest against the Soviet wrestler, who was also world champion, but could not secure the victory, although he came close. The final score was 6–5 for the Soviet wrestler Bezhmikov, and on the podium of honour Arben Kola wins

The cultural and artistic institutions of our district, too, could not escape this massive slackening of work during these politically tense months. Understandably, the free and democratic elections, the first of their kind in our country, were met with much debate, discussion and endless discussion. We all occupied ourselves with politics, parties, candidates, newspapers and many other things, and little or very little with our own work, although nobody’s salary was stopped. Throughout this period, the cultural and artistic institutions were actively involved in the election campaign (that was their duty), but not a single artistic performance was given for the art lovers of the city or the villages. Someone might say: who was thinking about performances during this period? They are mistaken. We would all have liked, after those exhausting discussions, to be entertained or to see an artistic performance. The Palace of Culture has been preparing for three months for a concert that was scheduled for February. It was even advertised in the newspaper. The audience waited for it. March, April... Silence. The reasons? A guitar amplifier has burned out... [The source text is interrupted here.] The theatrical Olympiad of the district’s secondary schools was organized. What about this year? Someone might say, wait, May hasn’t come yet... Yes, but a play cannot be put together in a week. Cinema screenings have also been very meagre, and consequently attendance has been low. It is true that films are shot and distributed by Kinostudio and there is nothing you can do about their quality, but seeking out—and not only that, going yourself to get—the quality films that are well received by the Lezhë audience is in the hands of cinema staff, as they used to do in the past. The situation is the same in the village cultural centres, if not worse. Things are different in the visual arts section. Good work has been done here to renovate the art gallery and enrich it with quality works. This is the current situation. If you look at their plans, you are amazed: they are full of activities. If only at least half of them could be carried out! Is this how things will continue? Silence. I have been present several times when the head of the culture section, Tonin Çobani, has criticized this state of affairs and given instructions. But who is he talking to! “What can the boss do to me? I have my diploma in my pocket,” someone says. And they have a point, because to this day, apart from the managers, whoever has started working in culture has stayed there, and others plan to retire there, whether competent or incompetent. Will things go on like this?! Someone else says, “What more can we do with the salaries we get?” Let us suppose that they really are low (although they have been increased); at least do enough work to justify half the salary you receive, since I am not even asking you to justify all of it. Is good equipment needed? Yes (it has been provided). Are good instruments needed? Yes (they have been provided). Are higher salaries needed? Yes (they have been increased and will be increased further). Is ... needed? Yes, needed. But do not forget, artist comrades, that art lovers do not care about what you need or do not need. They want performances; they want activities. If you have the ability and the means, give them that; otherwise say “no” and make way for someone else (although nobody has the courage to do this themselves). This, and only this, is what is needed today and tomorrow. ALEKSANDER FRANGAJ Visited the mosque? Bla, a ... true marvel. Here are the words: March, April... Silence. The reason? A guitar amplifier burned out, even though it had arrived from abroad, after rehearsals for the concert had begun. Could they be waiting for another one to arrive from abroad? Nevertheless, this deserves praise, because at least they have started; they still have time ahead of them. May! June...! And the other artistic sections? They know! They may have reasons, problems and shortages. Someone says they cannot have any; indeed, there is a problem, but even when performances have been staged, audiences have been disappointed. Why? Because they have rehearsed for several months and then given only one or two performances, as happened with the premiere «Humor through the Years», which, by some strange order from above, was suspended after being performed for just one night. Is it worth it this way? Was the work done justified? Was the amateur performer encouraged, was the audience pleased?! The same is true of the puppet theatre, except that the amateurs do show up there. They do because a considerable number of performances are staged there and, consequently, the encouragement is greater. Every year at this time we are used to seeing the festival for children and pioneers. What about this year? There is still time. July! August... and the children are on holiday too. What is the Pioneers’ House doing? What about the district’s creative forces? For years, the district Youth Committee, in cooperation with the Education Section, has held in May exploitation in not entirely… …in the troubled…

OUTLINES Gjin Luku: He signs and stamps it himself And finally, after many attempts, the much-repeated opportunity came for Gjin Luku: Maba was made into a cooperative of its own (against the wishes of the people of Maba), to satisfy the careerist ambitions of two or three leaders seeking to divide up the posts. Gjin Luku was appointed (not elected) cooperative chairman. Once Gjikni had managed to become cooperative chairman, he began placing his relatives and friends in positions. A new aga in the cooperative! The people of Maba openly opposed their plans and the division of the cooperative at a meeting. As a careerist, Gjini used another method: he organized the people of Gramsh (he had been sector head there for 10 years) to insist that they would no longer work in Mabë unless they became a separate cooperative. And he achieved his aim. Now he is chairman. Before the people, he pledged that he would do everything together with them, including appointing staff. But after securing a position for his friend Ndoc Leka as accountant-cashier (where he can steal freely), he also placed Aleksandër Filipi (Gjini’s cousin) in charge of supply, staffing and administration. Then people were brought from Dajç: Zef Toma. The people opposed him, but the chairman did what he himself thought best. Another chief veterinarian arrived—more precisely, another cousin of Gjini. I will not go on. But he himself signs and stamps! JAK RROZHANI