With the weather conditions holding, generally throughout the entire lowland area it is time to launch the major campaign for planting maize. The preparatory measures taken in many districts during the winter months, and now being pursued at a faster pace, also make it necessary to accelerate the planting of this principal bread-grain crop. Everywhere, in every district, there is ploughed land, and good work has been done to spread the necessary quantities of organic fertilizer in the fields. In general, the mechanical resources have been strengthened; there are no shortages of fuel, urea or nitrate. We stressed these conditions because an irresponsible delay in maize planting is becoming apparent. The weather conditions this spring dictate the need to hurry, because this is how we ensure an early harvest, which is essential to meeting the ambitious targets every district has set for this crop this year. In conversations and meetings with specialists and managers of agricultural enterprises everywhere, it is generally acknowledged that «planting maize all at once, on these days, can only bring benefits and is the basis for high yields». So what is holding things up? Bureaucratic attitudes are holding things up: they view the work from only one angle, paying more attention to schedules on paper than to actual conditions. Incomplete preparatory measures for making intensive use of agricultural machinery are also an obstacle. Now that the spring campaign has started earlier than in any other year, the question is this: is every tractor being used, are all 24 hours of the day being put to work, and is every breakdown in the fields being repaired quickly? Meanwhile, we must not forget that delaying maize planting means that the tasks in the coming days will become even more concentrated, since the large-scale planting of tobacco, forage crops and other plants will also begin. There has long been a practice of tackling the concentrated campaign work in short periods by organizing collective planting drives. Let us consider the tasks arising from this important campaign in the district of Shkodër. In Nënshkodër, efforts are being made to use time better: more thorough preparations have been made, and tens of hectares have therefore been planted in the agricultural cooperatives of Bushat, Dajç and Oblikë. In the Mbishkodër area, however, people seem less alert, and some enterprises, such as Grizha, Reçi, etc., had not begun planting at all until the last few days. Last year’s experience, particularly the very high results achieved for this crop by the enterprises of Nënshkodër, is a good lesson in making use of the conditions for a collective maize-planting campaign in this district. Let us look at the figures: in the Shkodër area, at least 450 hectares are to be planted; in some places, not even a tenth of the target has been met. There is plenty of ploughed land: around 5,000 hectares are ready for planting. At the district meeting, the target of planting 3,500 hectares by the end of March was emphasized, but at the pace maintained so far, this target cannot be achieved. We have focused on the experience and shortcomings in the district of Shkodër, but similar problems, even more concerning ones, exist in other districts as well.

Experience from Tepelena Although the «Mustafa Matohti» house of culture in Tepelena carries out its activities on an amateur basis, it is attracting an ever-growing number of the city’s workers. The distinctive feature of the work of this institution’s small collective is coordination. While in Nënshkodër efforts are being made to use time better: more thorough preparations have been made, and tens of hectares have therefore been planted in the agricultural cooperatives of Bushat, Dajç and Oblikë. In the Mbishkodër area, however, people seem less alert, and some enterprises, such as Grizha, Reçi, etc., had not begun planting at all until the last few days. Last year’s experience, particularly the very high results achieved for this crop by the enterprises of Nënshkodër, is a good lesson in making use of the conditions for a collective maize-planting campaign in this district. Let us look at the figures: in the Shkodër area, at least 450 hectares are to be planted; in some places, not even a tenth of the target has been met. There is plenty of ploughed land: around 5,000 hectares are ready for planting. At the district meeting, the target of planting 3,500 hectares by the end of March was emphasized, but at the pace maintained so far, this target cannot be achieved.

Beautiful, simple, clean — why not a fashion show, too... Young people want practical clothing, a wider variety of styles and not standard ready-made garments. Some buy these ready-made clothes, but then make various alterations and adjustments, which shows that young people do not always want what the shops offer. This is why young people make up the largest share of the clientele in our [unclear]. For everyday wear, not to mention holidays, Sundays, etc., young people prefer blouses, skirts and trousers made from this material, which is more attractive and less expensive than woollen and terital fabrics. Some girls make their own dresses, skirts and blouses from basic fabric. It is attractive and among the cheapest options, and these clothes also draw attention to the handmade work and lace decoration, which gives expression to our beautiful tradition. Isn’t this more practical and hygienic than synthetic fabrics in summer? All young people want to dress well. Some have fallen behind, but one also notices young people who, instead of choosing modern styles, veer into extravagance, which attracts attention but does not always show good taste. This points to the need for something that has often been said before: guiding young people in fashion, which is beautiful and varied. What would be wrong with organizing even a five-minute fashion show at a youth gathering? Clothing would be recommended, along with hairstyles and shoes—everything in keeping with good taste. Attractive, clean and simple. This is one approach; other ways of familiarizing people with our fashion include catalogues or television programmes. There are every opportunity to make young people’s clothing better and more attractive; all that is needed is more willingness and care on the part of manufacturers, the retail trade and those promoting the products. HIRUSHKË ZEKTHI, representative of the fashion models at Repair and Service Enterprise No. 3, Tiranë

Clothing enhances a person’s appearance. It expresses culture and, to a certain extent, their aesthetic education. In their youth, people are more inclined and more particular about clothing. This is a natural demand of their age. But these demands often evolve, and this is connected with the level of prosperity of our families and the general cultural development of young people. There are instances when fashion designers and manufacturers ignore these ever-increasing demands from pioneers and young people. This puts a burden on the economy, but it also frustrates young people’s wishes. The point is not to satisfy whims or excessive «pampering», but some legitimate needs of our children and our wonderful young people. Their imagination, if explored through surveys and discussions, would also greatly help designers, planners and manufacturers. Why should young people be left out of decisions about their clothing? There are many ways to improve this situation steadily. On page three we have gathered some opinions; read them and get acquainted with them. Young people, let them express their wishes and other numerous, valuable ideas. We believe these will be of great use to manufacturers in their future work.

Readers want to know In the museum district of the city of Korçë, an archaeological museum for the district of Korçë is being established in a characteristic urban residence dating from the beginning of the 19th century. This is an event whose significance goes beyond that of a cultural and scientific event for this district. To learn more about the museum’s value, in response to a question from the student N. Konomi, we spoke with candidate of sciences and archaeologist Petrika Lera. — The district of Korçë is one of the richest archaeological regions in the field of prehistoric cultures. So far, 24 prehistoric settlements have been identified and recorded in 24 archaeological sites in this district, spanning a period from the 6th millennium BCE to the first half of the 1st millennium BCE. The distinctive and encyclopedic archaeological finds from the Neolithic and Copper Ages stand out among these archaeological treasures. The most important settlements of this period include those discovered in the villages of Podgorie, Vashtemi, Barç, Maliq, Burimas, Proger, Dishnicë, etc. Systematic archaeological excavations carried out at these settlements over many years have yielded abundant and varied material that sheds light on the origins of the Illyrians, our forebears. The material cultures, as well as the archaeological evidence of vegetation and agriculture, will form the central focus of the museum. It is clear that our country has room for another archaeological museum, alongside the one in Tiranë, given the archaeological wealth here, which is chiefly prehistoric. The museum will begin telling its story to visitors in its courtyard, where large objects, mainly architectural in nature, will be displayed: capitals, colonnades, altars, mosaic fragments, etc. On the first floor, in an indoor exhibition, visitors will learn about the cultures of Neolithic and Copper Age settlements. The second floor will display archaeological material from Illyrian culture in the Bronze and Iron Ages, as well as material relating to the period of the slave-owning order and Illyrian civilization. The top floor will also house objects from antiquity and the Early Middle Ages. I am working intensively so that the museum can be inaugurated next month. There are many ways to improve this situation steadily. On page three we have gathered some opinions; read them and get acquainted with them. Young people, let them express their wishes and other numerous, valuable ideas. We believe these will be of great use to manufacturers in their future work. — As you will see from the general plan, this museum has nine sections, organized according to the types of finds. The prehistory section includes the oldest Neolithic settlements, Bronze Age settlements and Iron Age settlements. Another section contains pottery, weapons and tools discovered in layers of Illyrian culture. The next section presents the culture of the Illyrian city and the Early Middle Ages. Many finds will be exhibited, all of them discovered in the district of Korçë. The exhibition will also include material from antiquity and the Early Middle Ages. — We spoke with candidate of sciences and archaeologist Petrika Lera.

— From the writer’s notebook — «Do you know that I owe my life to you, my comrades?» the well-known Greek painter Mina Stratisi told me one day, many years ago. I opened my eyes for a moment; I did not understand. But the poet Pano Çu-ko, who was interpreting, went on: «Yes, because during the partisan war I was wounded and had to take refuge in Albania. The family that hid me and nursed me became my second family. You, my comrades, have admirable generosity and faithfulness. How beautiful the friendship between peoples is, especially when they are neighbours! I have told our brothers everywhere that you are fortunate to live alongside a people like the Albanians.» I remembered these words of my Greek friend in recent days as we were returning from Dropull. This region has always captivated me: its sunlit landscape, the green valleys of the Drino and the picturesque villages clustered at the foot of Mali i Gjerë. But this time I had not merely looked at Dropull; I had experienced it. I had visited several villages, met so many people, gone in and out of their homes. I was full of emotion; I had been especially touched by the hospitality and joy of the people of Dropull. «How are you? How are things?» I would ask, and they gave me the loveliest answer: «Look into our eyes!» And indeed, the loveliest thing that has stayed in my mind is the smiling eyes of the people of Dropull. Eyes shining with the joy of life and the beauty of work; with self-confidence, a lively temperament and spiritual energy. Among them we experience the distinctive rhythms of our socialist life and the progress of the whole Republic, while at the same time we cannot help feeling the unique character and colours of the Greek community that lives and works in this region. Without this originality, it is impossible to imagine the real life of Dropull. They told me that when Mikis Theodorakis visited the home of Mico Manos in Derviçian and spoke with the old man in their shared language, he said: «I’m amazed at how clearly and beautifully you speak Greek.» The old man smiled and replied to his guest: «You should be amazed if I spoke it badly!...» Greek professors and teachers who have visited the Greek schools of Dropull have expressed similar admiration. — Well done! Your schools do admirable work in teaching the mother tongue. The writer also said that you speak Greek truly well! This is an important affirmation, especially if we consider the language of the Albanian state and the rights of every ethnic community. The people of this region have preserved the treasures of their traditions; the Constitution has recognized and guaranteed them, while socialist education and culture have cultivated and enriched them. There are scientific and linguistic institutes, several secondary and agricultural schools, a teacher-training school, and a Greek language and literature department at the «Eqrem Çabej» Higher Pedagogical Institute. A great contrast emerges when one considers all this and then visits the Museum of Emigration in Gjirokastër, the only one in our country, perhaps in the whole world. And it is no accident that this museum was established here, in a region devastated by emigration. The figures give a chilling picture of desolation and misery. Goranci, with 1,300 houses, had 214 men away as emigrants; Dhrojvani, with 40 houses, had 100 emigrants! The same was true in the other villages of Dropull. One might have thought that the region was inhabited only by women, children and old people! This is also shown by the diaries and notebooks, and especially by the letters from emigrants—such painful, anguished letters, full of drama. They tell of the drama of exile and separation from loved ones. The echo of this drama sometimes reaches us even today, and we cannot hear it without sadness as we stand lost in thought in the museum rooms. It tells, for example, of a girl from Goranci who grew old and died engaged, waiting for her fiancé, who had also died abroad shortly before her. When she was buried in the village, the person delivering the funeral address could not help saying through his grief that, sadly, the two fiancés had died far from one another! When I left the museum, something tightened in my chest. I was suddenly overcome by sadness, a sadness born of a past that was almost unimaginable, unbearable. But such a painful condition no longer keeps life alive in Dropull today. You need only go down to the plain, step into the village square, enter the comfortable homes, meet and talk with the people, and immediately sense that things are different for the people of Dropull today. In just one week, two exhibitions opened at the «Theodhori Shano» house of culture in Derviçian. «Cultural workers from all the districts have come here to take part in activities and exchange experience,» Lefter Kondoi, head of Dropull’s house of culture, told me later. The first was the photography exhibition «Dropull Through the Years», by the photographer (Continued on page 3)

Some information from Mati — Batra is not keeping up with Klos... At the beginning of the year, the chrome miners in Klos made several commitments. January passed, then February, and the daily tasks have been fulfilled rhythmically every day and every week. The same is true now in March. In just two months, this mine produced 180 tonnes of lead-rich chrome. It also produced 90 tonnes more than the plan for this period of the chrome intended for export. In conversation, Nazif Klosi, the mine director, says: «At the pace we have maintained so far, and with the reserves built up through mining operations, the first quarter will close with every indicator met. This is a good step towards bringing about a turnaround in our mine.» What about the other production sectors? January at the Batra mine ended with good figures both for exports and for overall chrome production. But that was all. Not only were the pace and momentum not maintained; between February and now, a mineral shortfall of 10% against the plan has clearly accumulated. Thus, at the current pace and with this performance, the mine is already one of the district’s most backward sectors. The picture is completely different at some economic enterprises. The geologists are meeting their tasks at a good pace. All their indicators are ahead of schedule. So far, over 1,370 metres more than planned have been opened up for exploitation. The forestry, woodworking, collection and grain enterprises are also on course to meet their first-quarter targets. Correspondent of «The People’s Voice» In Gorë, Lushnjë An art exhibition by a pupil An exhibition of the best works by Mirgen Dhima has opened in a corner of the school in Gorë, Lushnjë. He is a seventh-grade pupil. The works are mainly in pencil, but some also use colour. The exhibition is attracting many visitors. The young painter presents three periods: that of Skënderbeu, the National Liberation War and the present day. The portrait draws the eye most, with its use of light and shadow and its harmonious presentation of interesting ideas.

THE DAUGHTERS OF DROPULL. (Photo: N. Xhufka)