NGA KONGRESI I MANASTIRIT TE REPREZALJET E REGJIMIT KOMUNIST

Abstract

The Congress of Manastir, held in November 1908, marks one of the most significant milestones in modern Albanian history. It established the foundation for the unification of the Albanian alphabet and served as a key turning point in advancing the aims of the Albanian National Awakening. This paper aims to shed light—for the first time—on the fate of several delegates who participated in the congress, as well as their families, during the communist regime in Albania (1945–1991). This period, characterized by political repression and ideologically driven historical revisionism, saw many contributors to national identity-building excluded from official narratives, while their relatives often faced persecution and marginalization. The study focuses on three core aspects: the delegates’ role in shaping Albanian cultural identity; the treatment of their families under the regime; and the post-1945 efforts to erase or distort their historical legacy. The research is grounded in previously unexplored archival materials and oral testimonies from direct descendants. This approach seeks to restore attention to figures marginalized by ideology and reflect critically on how totalitarian regimes manipulate national history. The paper contributes to a deeper understanding of memory, identity, and political influence on historiography in post-Ottoman and post-ideological Albania.