Forsaken Albania

By Artan Lame
Tirana, 1932, 1937. Seventy years ago, the steps that sweep up to the main entrance of the Presidency today, served as the grand staircase of the Royal Palace and it is the backdrop of many official photographs featuring the Head of State, whether a Monarch or President.
The first snapshot is of Zog I, King of the Albanians taken after close on five years of his reign and surrounded by some of his closest associates. The first in the row is Colonel Zef Seregji, Adjutant to the King, who remained by his side for fiteen years. Pinned to his chest is the decoration of the Order of The Pledge, which the King had just awarded to him. Let it be known that the King never awarded this decoration lightly. Standing haughtily beside him with the beginings of a pot belly showing, is Xhemal Aranitasi, the Commander of National Defence, on whose shoulder straps General’s stars have just been placed, while slung over his shoulder he wears the Ribbon of the Order of Skenderbeg. Then comes General Gjilardi (Leon De Gilardy), who was killed three years later during the Fieri Uprising. The young man on the other side of the King is his nephew Esat Kryeziu, rendered fatherless after the murder of Hysen Bey Kryeziu (Ceno Beg). The last officer in the row must be one of the Court Officers, whom I don’t know, but judging by how crooked and intimidated he looks, I don’t even think it is worthwhile digging to find out. All of them are wearing the gray 1931 parade uniforms, Italian style of that period.
Second photograph. Five years later. On the same spot, on the same staircase. The King again surrounded by the closest associates of his Court. Behind him, again, stands Zef Seregji, now sporting Generals’ Stars, now of the same rank as Araniti. Beside him, in a diplomatic uniform, complete with the feathered hat, stands Sotir Martini, who was t6o later follow the King into the long years of exile, until the end of his life. The last in the row is Major Allaman ȵpi, from the Cupi-s in Burrel, whose main merit was that he was from Mati, the same as his Monarch. In this photograph, they are all dressed in teh new, 1936 model uniforms, once again modelled on Italian styles. This style had been adopted for a typical military uniform in Italy in 1934.
The steps and balcony behind them are in the same place to this day, but it is highly unlikely that a Monarch, Princes or Generals will ever ascend them again, but perhaps the aged Academicians, whose sole concern should be to avoid shuffling their feet too much over the steps, until the day that this building, with all its history, is transformed into a Museum.