— Solemn meeting at the city’s sports palace — Yesterday, in Vlora, the 70th anniversary of our glorious uprising, the heroic Vlora War, which has remained indelible in the national consciousness of the entire Albanian people, was celebrated. This war against the Italian imperialist occupation constitutes one of the brightest pages in history. To take part in the celebration, the member of the Political Bureau of the Party’s Central Committee and chairman of the Council of Ministers, Comrade Adil Çarçani, Committee and Minister of People’s Defence, Comrade Kiço Mustaqi, Committee, Comrade Vangjel Çërrava, the member of the Party’s Central Committee and chairwoman of the General Council of the FDSh, Nexhmije Hoxha, and members of the Party’s Central Committee, Manush Myftiu, Spiro Koleka and Aranit Çela, came to Vlora. Also present at the celebration were the member of the Central Committee of the PLA and chairman of the Executive Committee of the District People’s Council, Nedin Hoxha, who— (Continued on page 3) From the speech by Comrade Vangjel Çërrava Dear comrades! Vlora and all Albania commemorate as a notable event in the history of our people the 70th anni- In June–September 1920, the brave people of Vlora, patriots from the regions of Kurvelesh, Mallakastër and other parts of the country, with rifles— Sado Koshenës and Zekine Kras to rout the numerous armies of the 40-million [??], shook and disoriented the generals, forced them to accept defeat, and made them withdraw (Photo: ATSH)

The last page on the calendar for the month of August was torn off. After it, a new day appeared: the celebration of the 1990–1991 school year. This day dawned to the sound of school bells. The new army of knowledge hurried toward classrooms and lecture halls. They are not few, but an entire generation. There are 73,000 pupils in first grade alone. This is a figure that ranks among the highest in the world in relation to population. This is a celebration for the whole people. Someone has a son or daughter, another a grandson or granddaughter. We all look forward to 1 September with pleasure; each of us is involved in it in some way. Tirana has the good fortune to welcome more students than any other city. In recent days, train carriages and buses have been packed full of young men and women. There are about 9,500 students living in dormitories at Enver Hoxha University alone. It is precisely these students who enliven and beautify life in the capital. Without them, the streets and boulevards seem to lose some of their vitality. With them, everything takes on light and brighter colours. We rejoice in this generation and are proud of it, because they are the very future of the homeland. The more pupils and students a country has, the more emancipated it is and the more secure its future. Before classes began, a beautiful festive ceremony was held in the main building of Enver Hoxha University in Tirana. Besides students and lecturers from the various faculties, comrades Besnik Bekteshi, Llambi Gegprifti and Pirro Kondi were also present, along with the Minister of Education, Prof. Skënder Gjinushi, etc. The rector of the University, Prof. Nikollë Konomi, wished the students success. Student Teuta Veizaj spoke on behalf of her fellow students and thanked them for the new and better conditions for study and living. It is not difficult to find the students. You can meet them in their own city’s dormitories (this city is larger in population than Gramsh, Librazhd, Kolonjë or Tepelena), in lecture halls, and also at the dance evening in the open square in front of the dining halls. “I’m from Elbasan, my name is Jonidë Xhyra, and I’m studying language and literature.” “I’m from Tropoja.” This petite young woman is called Suzana Kryemadhi. She is joining the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, coming from Skrapar. “My name is Artur Hamzaj. I’m from Durrës. This is my final year; I’m studying veterinary medicine. After this year, a new life awaits me. Student life is the best!” “I’m from Vlora,” says Altin Skënderaj, a civil engineering student. “My father is a worker. My sister is also studying French at the University.” Others are from Lezhë, Kukës, Fier, Përmet… From every part of Albania. Ask about their grade averages and they are very high. The curricula of higher-education schools have been improved in form and content. During this year, measures have been adopted in anticipation of educational reform. It seems agricultural schools will not have to wait until 1996 to be restructured as general-education schools. Other vocational schools, too, may be established on the basis of two years of gymnasium. The objective of the Party’s 9th Congress—that by the end of the five-year period, 71.3 per cent of those completing eight-year schooling would enter general secondary schools—was surpassed last year. This September, the figure reaches 75 per cent of young people. We can truly say that this is a great success. The state has created opportunities everywhere for continuing on to secondary school. The day is not far off when, as decided by the 11th Plenum of the Party’s Central Committee, everyone will have completed ten years of education. This is a constant expression of the Party’s care for educating the younger generation and equipping it with contemporary knowledge. And let us not forget: today, in the world, [??] of the population is illiterate. 1 September. How many memories it brings back for veteran teachers! There are days when Abedin Turkaj and Sadete wake early. They are a married couple of veteran teachers in Elbasan, former students of the Normal School. Where have they not taught! They returned to their birthplace only a few years before retiring. The old people of Çorraj remember teacher Abedin

Dear comrades! Vlora and all Albania commemorate as a notable event in the history of our people the 70th anniversary of the anti-imperialist Vlora War of 1920. among the brightest pages in the history of the National Liberation War. Çerrava event in the history of our people the 70th anniversary of the anti-imperialist Vlora War of 1920. Time taught our people the great truth that freedom is not bestowed but won with weapons in hand, with blood and great sacrifices, and that its true fighters are the broad masses of the people. The Vlora War is such a testimony. It holds an honoured place and marks a high point in our national revolution, which unfolded in several stages, beginning with the period of the National Renaissance. In this epic of with their rifles with slings, with axes and daggers, as the people have sung, attacked an enemy armed to the teeth and vastly superior in numbers, and drove it into the sea. Present and future generations will always pay tribute to the mass popular heroism of the legendary War of brave Vlora, embodied in Selam Musai and Zigur Lelos, Kanan Maze and Sali Murat Vranishti, Dule Dalani and Toto Bolena, Spiro Jorgo Koleka, Sado Koshenës and Zekine Krastës, and thousands of others, who charged over the enemy’s barbed wire and trenches and became symbols of the self-sacrifice of ordinary people in the struggle for freedom and independence. After recounting the history of the Vlora War, he stressed that it was neither spontaneous nor accidental, but a war well organised and directed by the National Defence Committee, chaired by Osman Haxhiu. Drashovica, Kota, Gjormi, Llogaraja, Kanina and all of Vlora are outstanding proof of the high level of organisation of the people’s war. With around 4,000 fighters and limited means, it routed the numerous armies of the 40-million [??], and leave our sacred land. The Vlora War enriched the patriotic and anti-imperialist traditions of the Albanian people. It showed the world once again that, for freedom and independence, they will give even what is dearest—their lives—and that a people, even a small one, can stand up to [??] when fighting for a just cause, united and determined to win its rights at any cost. (Continued on page 3)

Dear comrades, Today, the people of Vlora and all Albania commemorate a great event in our national history—the 70th anniversary of the Vlora War. The heroic epic written here in Vlora in 1920 against the Italian imperialist occupiers, in this city with glorious patriotic traditions where the Flag of Independence was raised, as well as the battles fought in Dibër and Koplik against the Serbian-Montenegrin chauvinist forces, continued our people’s unceasing wars against the many enemies whose aim was to partition Albania and erase the Albanian people as a nation. The people’s war of Vlora confirmed to world opinion that Albanians were determined to defend at any cost their ancient lands and the freedom and independence won through blood and countless sacrifices. Love of country, the indomitable spirit of freedom, the exalted sense of sacrifice and selflessness, and the powerful unity of the entire people around the cause of national independence and sovereignty have been and remain the people’s strongest weapons against enemies, however great and powerful they may be. The main message conveyed by this important event, by the heroic National Liberation War and by our entire glorious history is a rallying call to carry forward our patriotic and fighting traditions, to defend the freedom and independence of our beloved Homeland, and to defend the socialist victories we have achieved through great work and effort during these 46 years at its head; to further enrich and develop Albania and make the people’s lives more beautiful. We are celebrating this notable anniversary in an important political situation, amid the enthusiasm and revolutionary determination that have embraced all working masses to implement the historic decisions of the Party’s Central Committee Plenum and the guiding instructions of Comrade Ramiz Alia. The measures we have taken are dictated by no one; they are the result of the development of our socialist system. True democracy, progress

The First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Albanian Party of Labour and Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Comrade Ramiz Alia, and the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Comrade Adil Çarçani, sent the following congratulatory telegram to the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Comrade Nguyen Van Linh; the Chairman of the Council of State, Vo Chi Kong; and the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Do Muoi. The First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Albanian Party of Labour and Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Comrade Ramiz Alia, and the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Comrade Adil Çarçani, sent the following congratulatory telegram to the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Comrade Nguyen Van Linh; the Chairman of the Council of State, Vo Chi Kong; Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Do Muoi. “On this autumn day for us, on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the proclamation of Vietnam’s independence (2 September 1945), we send you and, through you, the Vietnamese people our heartfelt greetings and warmest wishes. The victory of independence 45 years ago was an event of historic importance, which enabled the Vietnamese people to open the way to independent development and to the creation of an independent and sovereign state. Our people sincerely rejoice at the continued progress of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the consolidation of its achievements. On the occasion of this notable anniversary, the Albanian people wish the Vietnamese people further success in building and strengthening their country and in bringing prosperity to their Homeland. We express our conviction that the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation between our two peoples and countries will grow ever stronger. (ATSH)

(Photo: N. Xhulka)

— Comrade Adil Çarçani visited the “Ali Demi” general secondary school in Vlora — Yesterday morning, on the occasion of 1 September, the member of the Political Bureau of the Party’s Central Committee and chairman of the Council of Ministers, Comrade Adil Çarçani, visited the “Ali Demi” general secondary school in the city of Vlora. Yesterday morning, on the occasion of 1 September, Çarçani, visited the “Ali Demi” general secondary school in the city of Vlora. During the 43 years since it opened, more than 3,500 graduates have studied at this school; today they work in various sectors of the economy and culture throughout the country. This school is renowned throughout the country for its outstanding achievements, its revolutionary movements and initiatives—such as the development of the moral character of our new person in the struggle against foreign manifestations—and for creative work, the organisation of activities, etc. Comrade Adil Çarçani visited the school museum, where, among other things, he praised the work of the school’s teaching staff in educating young people in sound revolutionary patriotic traditions, etc. He also visited the laboratories and met with teachers and pupils of the school. Its director, Dhimitraq Sava, briefed Comrade Adil on the work being done to equip pupils with knowledge at contemporary levels, educate them in patriotic traditions, and involve them in revolutionary movements and initiatives. Comrade Adil Çarçani greeted the teachers and pupils on behalf of the Party’s Central Committee, the Government and, personally, Comrade Ramiz Alia, and congratulated them on the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Vlora War, wishing them a successful school year and new achievements. “I am pleased,” said Comrade Adil Çarçani, among other things, “to visit this school, which bears the name of People’s Hero Ali Demi, with whom I was a schoolmate and fellow combatant. Following the patriotic traditions of our brave people, he fought and shed his blood for the freedom of the Homeland. In the Anti-Fascist National Liberation War, waged under the leadership of the Party, with Comrade Enver Hoxha at its head, our people once again drove the enemies into the sea, became masters of their own destiny, and established people’s power through much bloodshed and sacrifice.” Speaking about the duties of our school at the present stage, he said that the decisions of the Party Central Committee’s 11th Plenum on improving the education system and further strengthening the quality of the school, which refer to the new educational [??], are of great importance for the country’s future. “It is your task to interpret and put into practice all those important directives and measures.” (Continued on page 2)