HOMES BUILT THROUGH VOLUNTARY WORK IN BERAT At the beginning of last month, at the direction of the Party committee, the Executive Committee of the District People’s Council of Berat adopted a special decision on building homes to house citizens. Of the total number of apartments, somewhat more than half—over 360—will be built with voluntary assistance from the workers themselves, in the economic enterprises. The decision clearly sets deadlines for completing each apartment block and includes other measures to speed up the work. The volume of work is relatively large, somewhat unusual (last year only 165 apartments were handed over). But on what basis was this decision made? If we look at the matter concretely and learn about the efforts being made by workers’ collectives to build homes through voluntary work, we cannot help concluding that this is more than a specific decision by the committee: it is a view and decision reasoned through by each enterprise collective. Even on the basis of this example—which is by no means unimportant—we are convinced of the importance and value of listening to workers’ views; and, in any case, this lesson emerges: before decisions are approved and officially stamped, the “seals” of the masses must be obtained. This is essential and constitutes a major problem in the working methods of the organs of power and of appointed and elected cadres, in accordance with the decisions of the 9th Plenum of the CC. Let us develop an idea based on this good example from the district of Berat. Making the relevant decision on the basis of the sound views expressed by the grassroots means that, when it is put into practice, it is not only the “official forces” that remain involved; mass organizations and the workers’ collective come to the fore. In this way, the decision comes to life and is carried out in its entirety. Everyone feels responsible for what has fallen to them to accomplish. Let us consider only the results of the first two months of the year: the target set by the district authorities was fulfilled by 120 percent. Meanwhile, the construction enterprise also completed the period’s tasks according to plan. The latter fact matters, because the pace of building homes with voluntary assistance may increase while the homes built by the state itself fall behind. The material resources for one are the material resources for the other. The issue has been clearly set out: the material resources allocated to the construction enterprise must not be touched at all; instead, the district’s considerable internal reserves must be used. Otherwise, what value would this work have? Nikollë Capi, one of the specialists in the municipal section attached to the Executive Committee, tells us how, last year, they were caught “empty-handed” when it came to clearing construction sites. This year the work was made easier because they resolved the problem together with the enterprise managers. It took only a few days to clear 10 sites and immediately begin work on 18 apartment blocks with 360 apartments. But weren’t these the same workers and the same managers as a year ago? Precisely because they were, and are, the same people, we think this makes all the more evident their seriousness and responsibility in responding to the will of the masses. In the experience accumulated so far, another issue also needs clarification: where are the economic enterprises finding the necessary material resources? What other sources have been found besides internal reserves? Here, we believe, the role and responsibility of the organs of power have also grown. For example, when we heard that people in the construction-system enterprises had “apparently gone to pick cotton,” we could not help thinking of the concrete difficulties arising in securing materials. Bricks are needed, cement is needed, timber and iron are needed. People’s readiness to help—especially that of specialists—makes organizational and economic work all the more imperative. Thus, solutions will be found not because the apartment block was left half-finished, but because people want to work to implement a decision made collectively. As a result of these interventions and sound arguments by the Executive Committee, the Ministry of Communal Economy has made several hundred thousand bricks available to the district, not to mention cement, iron, etc., which have also been supplied in substantial quantities. There is something that gives a decision greater vitality when it is made on the basis of the will of the masses, of all the workers. This is especially true for improving work organization and strengthening accountability. Here is one indicator: more than 220 apartments will be handed over by the end of June. This is what the experience of this period of the year in the district of Berat shows; there can be no doubt that the decision originated with the masses. the construction enterprise completed the tasks for the period according to plan. This fact has a twofold significance. For while construction of homes with voluntary assistance can advance, the homes built by the state itself fall behind. One side’s material resources are «consumed» by the other. This is where the usefulness of the efforts made by the enterprises to implement the decisions of the government lies. Before the decisions of the government lies. When, for example, we heard that at enterprises in the oil sector, or at the textile combine, workers had poured over to the buildings

DURING THESE EARLY-MARCH SPRING DAYS, THE SMTs ARE AT THE HEIGHT OF THEIR WORK PREPARING MACHINERY FOR SPRING PLANTING. ONE OF THESE OUTSTANDING SMTs IS THE ONE IN FIER, FROM WHICH PHOTOJOURNALIST NIKO XHUFA HAS TAKEN THESE PICTURES.

From the beginning of the year until now, more than a quarter of the annual target for collecting and delivering scrap has been achieved in the district of Dibër. The northern chrome mine of Bulqizë and the motor pool are doing better, having fulfilled their annual targets by 40 and over 50 percent, respectively. The aim is to complete this campaign, with an annual target of 340 tons of scrap, by April. EDUART BAHOLLI In the Kurbnesh area, as people cope ever better with the difficulties arising day by day from the prolonged drought, careful efforts are being made to save electricity. In February, 79,930 kWh were saved. Good work has been done to eliminate losses in the network following the repairs carried out. Special attention is being paid to maintaining the transformers and the electricity networks. VIKTOR BURAKU Since January, the workers’ collective of the NPD in Gramsh has been at the head of the district’s workers’ collectives. Since February 20, it has been working toward the March quota. The sawyers of Liqeni i Dushkut are leading the competition; they have planted twice the first-quarter quota. ASTRIT DUZHA

A Month of Outdoor Activities Taxhedin Shehu, the veteran mountaineer in Dibër, often takes the team’s young men with him, and together they climb the few slopes in the area. In town, others head for the grounds to play various sports. Usually, some of them go down to the “Nazmi Rushiti” high school. There, more than anywhere else in town, young people’s wishes and demands for places to play are being met. A year ago, far fewer townspeople came, because a table-tennis or volleyball court and some gymnastic equipment were not even enough for the school itself, with its 700 pupils. This was often noticed by the physical-education teacher, Shkëlqim Hoxha. Then others also thought it would be better to build courts enclosed with wire mesh, where children could spend their free time playing. The swings would not get damaged, the townspeople would not be disturbed, and parents would be more at ease. Coaches would come there too, to watch these informal sports sessions and look for talent for the teams. It is true that the sports palace is under construction, although its construction has been going on for more than five years; but even when it is completed, it will not meet the needs of the large number of people who want to take part in sport and physical education. After all, facilities of this kind cost little; they are simple and practical—it is enough that there be physical education.” And the sports teacher “designs” new sports facilities in his mind. Meanwhile, one of the best-known sports educators in Peshkopi, the coach of the women’s volleyball team of Dibër, Bashkim Lala, also has an idea when he sees many children among the apartment blocks, stringing up a cord and imitating volleyball. “In almost every neighbourhood,” he suggests, “there are some open spaces between the apartment buildings. Some have been turned into gardens, while others are empty plots. Wouldn’t it make sense for the town...” [The source text then repeats and is garbled:] “...the wishes and demands of children the work was seen by far fewer townspeople, were not enough even often noticed by the physical-education teacher, Shkëlqim Hoxha. Then his colleague, Bexhet Shehu, noticed it too. Something had to be done for the pupils and for the town. They also asked the opinion of a builder, Zabit Muda. Then they consulted other builders, as well as the managers and workers of the “Ramiz Varvarica” mechanical workshop. Other courts could be set up there too. Why not consider handball or tennis? And so, the town...’ [The source then repeats the same garbled passage:] “...the wishes and demands of children the work was seen by far fewer townspeople, were not enough even [?] provide the necessary materials to the economic enterprises? What other sources have been found besides internal reserves? We believe that the role and responsibility of the government body have also increased. over to the buildings The first obstacle would have been the financial [?]. Then many questions arose. Where would the necessary materials be obtained? Who would carry out the work? Discussions were held with specialists and workers, and everything was resolved. And now here we have a handball court, another for tennis, with lighting for night-time use as well; [?] with the necessary materials for the government body have also increased. over to the buildings

IN THE PROJECTS OF THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN — At the Funar water-supply system in Elbasan, one of the largest in our country — Year after year, thousands of new olive trees are added to the crown around the city of Elbasan, which extends farther and farther into the hills of Vidhas, Papër and Peqin, and as far as Rrogozhinë and beyond, alongside the centuries-old trees. This ever-green belt is a monument to the work of olive-growing specialists, as well as a source of income for the economy. When one considers that the water which will bring lasting renewal to the olive groves comes from Funar, one wonders how it travels through mountains and gorges, among rocks and steep slopes. To follow the water’s route, one must climb beside the cliff at Letan, in Xixillanjë. From there, the canal fed by Funar’s three reservoirs sends out two siphon branches, 9 km long. One runs toward Letan and Bradashesh; the other descends below Xixillanjë toward Rrile, enters the broad bed of the Zaranika and then begins climbing toward the olive groves of the NB and the cooperatives of Labinot. While this branch has now been completed and put into operation, work on the other artery, which passes through Petresh, Balzë, Vëllëzë, Qarrisë and Papër, is proceeding rapidly. Technicians Idriz Drazhi, who also worked on the Dumre irrigation project, and Ferdinand Shkalla, director of the land-reclamation enterprise, explain that the Funar irrigation project is both complex and difficult, because, in addition to building the dams, work has been carried out and continues on very rugged, mountainous terrain. Above all, this project differs from similar ones built in our country because it was put into operation in stages and its costs are being progressively recouped. Above all, the advantage—or, more precisely, the effectiveness—of this project lies in its being gravity-fed, with no need for electric pumps or electricity. The siphon system is thus directly connected to three reservoirs: Funar, Preçë and Stafaj, which hold 1.6, 1.9 and 1.3 million cubic metres of water, respectively. The Funar-Qendër reservoir cannot yet be considered fully completed. Its water-holding capacity is to be increased further; for this purpose, a 5-km-long gravity-fed feeder, with canals and bridges, is being built to bring clean water from the springs of Cërrujë into the lake, at a flow rate of 4 litres per second. Together, the three reservoirs, plus another small one built the previous year, collect around 5.5 million cubic metres of water, the head of the land-reclamation enterprise, Ferdinand Shkalla, explain that the Funar irrigation project is both complex and difficult, because the dams were built—and continue to be built—on very rugged, mountainous terrain. Above all, this project differs from similar ones built in our country in that it was brought into operation in stages and its costs were gradually recouped. Above all, the advantage—or, more precisely, the effectiveness—of this project lies in its being gravity-fed, with no need for electric pumps or electrical energy. The system of siphons is thus directly connected to three reservoirs: those of Funar, Preça and Stafajtve, which hold 1.6, 1.9 and 1.3 million cubic metres of water, respectively. (Continued on page 2)

In the district of Mirditë, more than 900 ha out of the planned 1,262 ha to be sown with spring crops have been ploughed so far. The cooperatives and vistët of Prosek, Ndërfushë, Munaz and Malaj, by coordinating their work better with the SMT mechanics, are at the forefront of the district’s agricultural economies. (ATSH)

Tradition and Personalities The development of national culture is the great work of many generations, of many scholars and distinguished figures of the country. Their dedication is an inspiring example for young researchers; their school is an open book for new talents in science, culture, art and education, where much can be learned about how the effectiveness and quality of work in these fields can be increased, how the outstanding values of the people’s scientific creativity can be affirmed, etc. Therefore, becoming as fully acquainted as possible with the valuable work of such figures is not mere curiosity, nor can it be done simply for erudition, but rather to draw as much meaning as possible from the qualities of their broad and fruitful activity. The long research and publishing career of the People’s Teacher, member of the Academy of Sciences, Laureate of the Republic’s First Prize, Professor Mahir Domi—one of the most prominent scholarly figures in modern Albanian linguistics—also resonates powerfully in the creative consciousness of young researchers and new talents. His contributions to linguistics are numerous. They extend across the broad field of knowledge. In the grammar of the modern language, primarily in syntax, he has contributed through university textbooks, monographs and scholarly articles. He stands out as one of our best-known syntacticians. In this field of research, his works are distinguished by some of the most authoritative findings. In the field of literary language and language culture, he has addressed issues of orthography and problems of language culture in syntax. He is co-author of the volume «Drejtshkrimi i gjuhës shqipe» (1973) and «Fjalori drejtshkrimor i gjuhës shqipe» (1976). These two treatises, with their high scholarly standard of preparation, served as the main theoretical and practical support for the acquisition and consolidation of the norm of our national literary language, and for applying this norm in all spheres of state, social and educational activity. He is editor-in-chief of the general editorial board of «Gramatika e gjuhës së sotme» (1972). In lexicography and lexicology, Professor Domi contributed as a member of the special committee that produced the first «Fjalor normativ e shpjegues të gjuhës shqipe» (1954). This was the principal work in Albanian lexicography 35 years ago. He is a contributor to Aleksandër Xhuvani’s dictionary, «Fjalë e shprehje të gjuhës shqipe» (Ndihmesë në Fjalorin e shqipes), which has been published in the journal «Studime filologjike», issue by issue, since 1971. In dialectology, Professor Domi organized the initial preparation of dialect sketches of the Albanian language, co-prepared a questionnaire, co-authored a dialectological study of the Albanian speech of Mandrica (Bulgaria), wrote scholarly articles on our dialects, and initiated and served as responsible editor of the five-volume series «Dialektologjia shqiptare» (1971). He has devoted particular attention to organizing systematic work in dialectology. He has helped train new specialists in this field on a wide scale. He has always stood beside them as a tireless and ever-present adviser. He has guided them with a steady hand through even the smallest issues and (Continued on page 3)

Academician Mahir Domi in the library.

● A DECISION THAT INSPIRES AND MOBILIZES (1). ● ARE THESE THE MOST CAPABLE PEOPLE TO LEAD? (2). ● OPPORTUNITIES FOR FURTHER STRENGTHENING OF CONTENT (3). ● THE MEETING OF SENIOR OFFICIALS OF THE FOREIGN MINISTRIES OF THE BALKAN COUNTRIES CONCLUDED (4).