SPRING IN BUTRINT (Photos: A. Bodinaku)

Continuing his official visit and his relations with the People’s Republic of Bulgaria, talks began yesterday at the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs between the foreign minister of the People’s Republic of Albania and his Bulgarian counterpart. The Bulgarian foreign minister, expressing his pleasure at the Albanian foreign minister’s visit to Bulgaria, said that the visit laid the foundations for broad cooperation between our two countries and peoples in all fields. It constitutes an important contribution to deepening cooperation on the basis of mutual interests and within a broader European framework. After speaking about the situation and domestic developments in Bulgaria, Bojko Dimitrov praised the progress made in Albanian-Bulgarian relations and emphasized the need for more intensive political dialogue and broader contacts between the two countries, their parliaments, senior public figures and various social organizations, in the economic and political fields. We must, he noted, build on the interests that unite us and create further opportunities to move forward. Foreign Minister Reis Malile, having praised the friendly relations between Albania and Bulgaria, stressed that bilateral cooperation has recently seen new developments in various fields, including politics, economic and trade relations, culture, science and technology, etc. Greater opportunities have also opened up in industrial cooperation. The two ministers expressed their wish that these relations continue to advance. Political developments in the region and shared interests make it necessary to expand and strengthen these relations. (Continued on page 4)

— From the writer’s notebook — I mean Berat; Berat at the foot of the eroded slopes, Berat of Tomorr. Berat can recall here the dark centuries of its existence as a city. As a settlement, it dates back at least 27 centuries. The Pelasgian stones in the foundations of the walls and the castle speak in all their ancient whispers. What can compare with this antiquity, mentioned by Polybius and Livy? Across the river, above the Gorica quarter, traces of settlement are contiguous and date back more than 30 centuries, while those of an Illyrian fortress are no more recent than the castle. We are in the lands of the tribe of the Dassaretae. To describe this place as a unique and beautiful settlement, the Byzantines called it Pulë-heropoli — Beautiful City. Among the Romans it was also known as Albanorum Oppidum — City of the Albanians, which means that in time this settlement became important among our regions. Berat’s 24 centuries of uninterrupted life bring to mind the great writers who have chronicled Albanian history. It is hard to imagine what you would say at a symposium on the restoration and preservation of places of worship, where foreigners will also take part. It is an event for the whole country. And Berat, and the people there who work with such dedication on the monuments and museums, deserve this honor. After all, such great and careful work has been done here that the ancient city has gained the appearance of a truly renewed town. Berat is one of those centers of Albanian urban life that, once you have visited it, you often long to visit again. If you miss the chance, or do not make one, you are left not only with regret; you do not feel at ease. (I am not speaking only for myself: I hear people say the same thing.) It was a fine Sunday, a day of green and sunshine. The trees were surely in leaf; you could not help feeling good, and Tomorr could be seen with a gleam of snow. Another year has begun, and the mountain is still white. Birds are flying above the adornments that live on in the city’s legends: sculptures, fields, and other features, gleaming white among the olive groves. From the old castle, the new city seems to have grown in every direction. Its urban plan can be said to have been achieved. But the city has expanded a great deal. (It has passed 10 km!) And it has spread far across the plain, following both the bend of the Osum (toward the north) and the uphill road (toward the south). Hemmed in between two rocky slopes, it was forced to break out in every direction. But this expansion must be restrained. They say that the cult does not make— (Continued on page 3)

Guri Koti, a well-known photographer in Korçë, now retired, is always in a hurry, as though he has left something unfinished and must absolutely get it done. When he talks, with his thirst for fine work, he seems to shake you and say: “And you, where are you? Are you doing anything useful?” Some time ago he portrayed with a brush the master stonemason Kristaq Papagjiri. With particular affection, he photographed in the streets, squares, courtyards and inside Korçë homes the traces left by the chisel of this persistent master: porticos, plinths, fountains, hearths, water spouts, ornamental vases, and stone portraits of figures such as the People’s Hero Mihal Grameno, etc. In his photographs he also showed us the master’s studio where he worked, the workshop where he passed the stonemason’s craft on to his apprentices, the master craftsmen of his household, etc. “I felt it was a duty to this artist in stone,” he says. “By gathering his works in photographs, you understand his art better. And let us not forget that photographs are another way of educating people: they pass on values from one generation to the next. A moment of carelessness can damage or destroy a life, a house or a work, but the photograph will remain.” With this sense of duty toward those whose careful work is in the hands of art, he also plans to document in photographs the ironwork and ironwork details, to capture fully the character of the city of wrought-iron railings, as well as the valuable woodcarvings. “In a Korçë house I was surprised to find 16 very valuable wood carvings. They are treasures made by the golden hands of well-known and anonymous craftsmen. They should be passed on to future generations in this way, as genuine works, in the original; but photography is another means of preservation...” He is always in a hurry, always hurrying. “A distinctive courtyard also deserves to be captured in a photograph,” he says, “as does a street that will eventually disappear.” Guri Koti has the spirit of a young man despite having retired; he has not put down his camera and is always out and about. In the archive of the laboratory at the knitting combine, where he worked for many years, there are at least three million—“you can find what you need”—40,000 negatives. It is no exaggeration to say that they record not only the life of the combine but also the life of the entire city of Korçë. KOSTAQ DUKA

The city of Durrës and its outskirts now have a larger area of greenery, much greater than five years ago. The Beach and the Shkozet area stand out particularly in this landscape. There are very attractive spaces with ornamental trees and flower beds along the city’s corridors. In this city, with its street plan and its flower-loving streets, it is no wonder that the eye catches many flowers in courtyards, passageways and on balconies. But the eye sees very few—far too few—carnations and roses, hydrangeas, lilies of many kinds and colors, etc. Why is this so? Some people go to the municipal service, which is also responsible for greenery, and shrug indifferently: “A few years ago, we used to breathe in the fragrance of these flowers. Bouquets of them were displayed in shops.” This is one point for the municipal authorities in Durrës: seedlings of the kinds of flowers mentioned above can be obtained in Berat, Shkodër and other districts. Seeds are not lacking. The second point: demand for fresh flowers arranged in bouquets is growing. This reflects culture and, at the same time, a spiritual need. Concrete expressions of this are the growing demands for various family ceremonies, for welcoming and farewelling people, for commemorative occasions, etc. Why do the municipal authorities and the directors responsible for this sector still remain distant from these needs? They should learn from the experience of other districts. A third and final observation: in large cities and tourist centers such as Durrës, why should there not be more flower-selling outlets? Even the vases used to hold these flowers are the same ones from several decades ago. Why not make beautiful, artistic ones here, when works for this very purpose have been made in Kavajë? Why not plant this beautiful variety of flowers in people’s yards?

The figures speak The population of Lirazhdi has tripled since Liberation, while industrial production has increased 1,300-fold. Last year alone, exports rose to 30 million dollars. The incomes of cooperative members increased by more than 20 percent last year. A family in Guraquq received 11,200 lek at once at the end of the year, while the Përnesaj cooperative distributed 24 million lek at year’s end. Each family benefited from annual income from education, health services and special funds amounting to more than 4,000 lek. Since 1971, pensions worth over 15 million lek more have been paid, or 1,600 lek per family per year.

Continued from page 3) The city of Durrës and its outskirts now have a larger area of greenery, much greater than five years ago. The Beach and the Shkozet area stand out particularly in this landscape. There are very attractive spaces with ornamental trees and flower beds along the city’s corridors. In this city, with its street plan and its flower-loving streets, it is no wonder that the eye catches many flowers in courtyards, passageways and on balconies. But the eye sees very few—far too few—carnations and roses, hydrangeas, lilies of many kinds and colors, etc. Why is this so? Some people go to the municipal service, which is also responsible for greenery, and shrug indifferently. (The upper part of the text continues in the corresponding column.)

Yesterday, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the death of the patriot and democrat, statesman, scholar, poet, translator and historian Fan S. Noli, the district branch of the League of Writers and Artists and the “Aleksandër Moisiu” Theatre in Durrës organized a literary and artistic thematic afternoon... Yesterday, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the death of the patriot and democrat, statesman, scholar, poet, translator and historian Fan S. Noli, the district branch of the League of Writers and Artists and the “Aleksandër Moisiu” Theatre in Durrës organized the literary and artistic thematic afternoon “A Tribute to Fan Noli” at the city’s [unclear]. Cultural and artistic institution workers, people from the arts and culture, young men and women, and other guests took part. Also present were Politburo member and Central Committee secretary Comrade Foto Çami, the first secretary of the Committee...

The Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Comrade Ramiz Alia, sent a congratulatory telegram to the President of the Republic of Chile, Patricio Aylvin. “On the occasion of Your election to the office of President of the Republic of Chile, the President of the Republic of Albania, on behalf of the Albanian people and the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, conveys to you my best wishes for the fulfilment of your high duties and for the realization of the aspirations of the friendly Chilean people, for the strengthening of freedoms, independence and the democratization of the country’s life.” He expressed confidence that relations between Albania and Chile would continue to develop in the future in the interests of our two peoples. (ATSH)

Gorbachev called the Congress of People’s Deputies invalid and invalid and invalid? (The complete text of the article is printed in several columns.) Gorbachev called the Congress of People’s Deputies invalid and invalid? (Continues with reporting on political tensions in Moscow, the Congress of People’s Deputies and political developments in the Soviet Union.)

ON THE AGENDA: WATERING THE CROPS This winter, as can be seen, was characterized by a lack of rainfall. From December until the end of the field season, the amount of rainfall was several times below the long-term average. This had an adverse effect on the filling of reservoirs and on the accumulation of water reserves in the soil. Even now, many plots planted with wheat, forage crops, etc. are suffering from a lack of moisture. On shallow and skeletal soils, widespread yellowing of the plants has already begun. The lack of moisture is being felt most by newly planted crops, such as alfalfa and sugar beet, where extensive damage to the seed is also evident. The condition of newly planted fruit trees, olive groves and vineyards is no less concerning. We have described this situation to address the concern now shared by every farmer, specialist and agricultural manager. There is no reason to wait before watering the crops. Specialists must decide where to begin and at what pace to proceed, without wasting time. Any delay in watering the alfalfa fields planted this year jeopardizes the investments made over several years; irrigating forage crops ensures a steady supply of feed for livestock in the period ahead. Wheat is at a stage of growth when it needs moisture. In short, every crop needs its due share. Lushnja is setting a good example by acting ahead of the situation that has arisen. This is what should be done everywhere. At the same time, we must be prudent: water today while thinking about tomorrow. Instead of keeping our eyes on the reservoirs, we should make use of available water. Sprinkler irrigation is best, but we should not forget that surface irrigation with a small amount of water is just as effective and costs less. We have proved many times that fifty furrows can be watered well with buckets. Everything possible must be done to water the crops.

• AN OLD CITY, A NEW CITY, (pp. 1–3). • MIQËNESË DIKJUT’S PEACE IS “DISTURBED” (p. 2) • STRUCTURE TOO IS AT THE SERVICE OF MAINTENANCE (p. 3) • ABOUT THE EVENTS IN KOSOVO (p. 4).

engineer in Durrës

I GARI