I have been leafing through a historical grammar of the Albanian language these days. I see that many references by our foreign scholars are based on Buzuku, Matrenga, Bardhi, Bogdani, Zarishi, fjeda... Well, everyone knows that the history of our ancient «LISS» is connected with the lives and works of some of these giants of our culture, because they lived and worked in these lands. Imagine if they had not existed. We would have had nothing to prove who we are, what language we spoke, and what culture we had. Others would have told us: «Get out, you’re taking up our space»... But their writings are monuments, fortresses that the waves of history cannot shake. These things come to mind today, when the newspaper «Koha jonë» has fallen—or, more accurately, has been thrown down. Well, it is the only historical document of a district for the future; it is the only mirror in which the people of Lezhë can see themselves as they are today, for better or worse. And yet the «mirror of our time», even if its life has not been spotless, should not have been shattered so mercilessly. Who was the person from Lezhë who signed its destruction... who? How will they answer to future generations? What are these paradoxical excuses of the renovated bureaucracy? How many people draw a salary for doing nothing, how many officials? Why shouldn’t an editorial office with two or three newspapers be maintained, when in the end it would certainly pay for itself, if the people of Lezhë want it and it does not need democracy to increase its funding? More or less, this is what all the district’s journalists said when they gathered a few days ago and decided to keep the newspaper going, each in their own way. But the newspaper will no longer be what it was, nor will it belong to the Labour Party. It will belong to all parties, all organizational entities, all age groups, and it will be free. Criticism—private, state, and so on—will often find a place in the newspaper’s pages. The cultural and sports pages, alongside new poetry, painting, photographs, and so on from the district and the country, will contain more of the wider world. That world which we know, even though we have been and are inhabitants of this planet. We will make this possible through direct links with foreign newspapers, especially Italian ones, with which we are making agreements, as well as through other information, translations, and so on. The opportunities exist and are growing. We will get used to highly critical articles, even about the «great», and we will also get used to self-criticism, to the overturning of opinions and facts. Journalists will have their own status. They will be protected by law and answerable under the law. Journalists will go everywhere and talk to anyone, including foreigners. With the afarishtët who have begun knocking even around Lezhë. We will bring them to you in the newspaper. You will see them and judge the truths and lies of everyone. But, in the end, a newspaper cannot be sustained by a handful of journalists. The newspaper will belong to everyone—to you, the readers. But be careful about one thing: a fact must be a fact, because otherwise it can no longer be dismissed with a self-criticism and silence! More specifically now, about a few other things: The Journalists’ Association unanimously agreed that the newspaper should change its format, content, and program. Another thing: We have been told that, legally, the authorities cannot take responsibility for the newspaper, regardless of the fact that even if it were entirely in deficit, an enterprise could cover its expenses without even noticing. Based on the discussions we have had in recent days, we have their support, and preliminary verbal assurances of help have been given. The newspaper’s future depends first of all on its quality, and second on you, the readers—on whether you will spread it and how much you will... …the… many of these things were said by the network’s …tarët, who gathered … the newspaper comes out … days and decided to keep … everyone’s newspaper. But, indeed, the newspaper will no longer be as it was, … of the Labour Party. Instead, it will be … of all parties, all entities … organizations, all ages, … district… The articles will be…

Advertise in the newspaper, dear reader, but our newspaper will stand above the others for two reasons: First of all, it is yours. Secondly, it no longer belongs to one party, but to all of them. You have noticed that even in the national newspapers, articles about Lezhë or by writers from Lezhë attract us most. They are increasing day by day, and they will not have the same appeal as they did at first. Whereas there will be only one newspaper of Lezhë. There you will find the force of opinion, the political and ideological struggle of parties and organizations, the bridges that can bring them together, and so on. At present, leading the efforts to «revive» the newspaper are: the district branch of the Journalists’ Union, the executive board of the district People’s Council, the Culture Committee, as well as individuals Gjyl Brahimi, Pjetër Kola, Tonin Çobani, Genc Palushi, Jak Smaçi... Gjergj Shyti (First Secretary of the district Labour Party Committee) has assured us that the existing newspaper offices will not be harmed; sympathizers and journalists from the branch of the Democratic Party have offered to contribute articles free of charge. We hope our ties, cooperation and mutual trust with this party’s branch will grow even stronger, so that we can all be equal in this new newspaper. The Republican Party branch has likewise assured us of its full cooperation. The initiative committee for establishing the district branch of the Social Democratic Party holds the same view, and so on. Many heads of institutions and enterprises, such as Pashk Smaçi, Marash Ndoka, Gjovalin Gjushi, Ndue Simoni, and others, have given us hope that they will help us with whatever they can. To begin with, a small foundation like this—(continued on page 2)

In ancient times, the Illyrian tribes of the penëve, japygëve and mesapëve lived on the shores of the Adriatic. Approximately there today lies one of Italy’s twenty provinces, Puglia, with over four million inhabitants. Its capital is Bari, also called «the gateway to the East». Although it is not among the country’s largest cities, having only around 370,000 inhabitants, Bari is undoubtedly a city that has been and remains an important centre, historically and today… In ancient times, the Illyrian tribes of the penëve, japygëve and mesapëve lived on the shores of the Adriatic. Approximately there today lies one of Italy’s twenty provinces, Puglia, with over four million inhabitants. Its capital is Bari, also called «the gateway to the East». Although it is not among the country’s largest cities, having only around 370,000 inhabitants, Bari is undoubtedly a city that has been and remains an important centre, historically and today. Bari has also been called a city of extreme contrasts, but today it has undergone comprehensive and rapid development, visibly breaking away from the relatively underdeveloped Italian South and drawing closer to the industrial North. Bari is 138 miles from Shëngjin, while the other ports of Puglia, such as Andria, Barleta and Manfredonia, are around 150–160 miles from our shores. Last November, a well-known manager and a distinguished lagoon specialist visited us. They stayed for two days, carefully studied the Kune-Vain lagoon and were ready to sign a contract for the joint use of this coastal complex, which they themselves enthusiastically called «the most enchanting lagoon in Europe». But once again the bureaucracy said: No! And they left disappointed. But this is not about a contract or a joint enterprise. Italy in general, and Puglia in particular—our closest neighbour across the sea—has state-of-the-art technology, research capacity, and design and financing capabilities which would provide considerable support for our «fragile» needs. It has, in particular, great lending capacity to put agriculture on modern scientific foundations and renew our port technology, processing industry, paper industry, and so on. Our district has no institution specializing in foreign relations, not even a chamber of commerce. So what should be done? I think there are two ways forward: First, establish a bridge for mutual acquaintance; the first step in this regard should be taken by the Executive Committee of the district People’s Council. Second, after the initial contacts—in other words, once we have «got to know one another»—every enterprise, cooperative and, why not, private producer should establish direct links. From the contacts I have had the opportunity to make with some Italians, an important source of income could be high-quality tourism, known as «select» tourism, making integrated use of the environment and infrastructure, such as seaside tourism, tourist hunting, archaeological-historical tourism, and so on. A well-planned combination of these would allow us to make use of them, if not all year round, then at least over a fairly long season and with high returns. The important thing is to make a start. Then the connections will pave the way for one another, eventually making a direct ferry possible—especially now that many of our sons and daughters are over there. Now is not the time to wait, but to act. Map: ADRIATIC SEA; MANFREDONIA; BARLETA; ANDRIA; BARI; BRINDISI; Otranto; LECCE; SHËNGJIN; LEZHË; TIRANA; IONIAN SEA. Note on map: … [illegible text] … the Balkans and the whole East, … among other things, here there are many … connected with our country, … prehistoric … called «al…» … «Albania», the Gjurakuqi road, etc.

— The local newspaper «Koha jonë» will have as its main aim the development among people of sound opinion on everything connected with the city and district of Lezhë, remaining as far as possible outside one-sided party assessments or the narrow personal interests of groups and individuals. — Through its reports and various kinds of journalistic writing, it will record the most important events and happenings of each week, everything considered to be of interest to city and village life, or to be a sensation in the good sense of the word. — It will address debatable economic, social, political, cultural and sports issues, accepting diversity of opinion and unrestricted alternatives. — The newspaper will serve as a cultural guide to learning about the district, which is rich in historical events, prominent figures of the pen and the rifle, folklore and numerous ethnocultural values stretching back to Illyrian times and continuing thereafter. — «Koha jonë» will be guided by the principles of realistic journalism, taking a critical stance toward every phenomenon and speculative fact that infringes on individual freedoms and rights, the processes of democratization, and the development and progress of the district. The rights and responsibilities of the editorial board and of

— The rights and responsibilities of contributors derive from the journalist’s status recognized by law. — For commercial purposes, the newspaper will also publish from time to time advertisements and notices from various entities operating in our district, or from families. — The newspaper will not publish writings of a fascist, racist, warmongering or anti-national nature, or those that incite national hatred, nor writings calling for the violent overthrow of the constitutional order in the Republic of Albania. It will also not publish writings calling for terrorist or destabilizing acts, inciting religious or regional divisions, offending the national dignity of the people, calling for foreign intervention in the internal affairs of our country, going beyond the rights recognized by law for national minorities, or disseminating state secrets as defined in the provisions in force. — In addition to its main contributors, who are members of the district journalists’ association, the local branch of the Writers’ and Artists’ Union, and scientific associations, the newspaper «Koha jonë» will publish writings by anyone, inside or outside the district, who wishes to contribute while adhering to this program. PUBLISHING COUNCIL OF THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER «KOHA JONË»

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