Albania’s late communist dictator’s home now welcomes what he hated most: free thinkers

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): In a historic transformation Villa 31 the former home of Albania’s late communist dictator Enver Hoxha has become a hub for international artists captivated by the country’s turbulent history and Hoxha's legacy. The villa where Hoxha’s family lived until his regime ended in 1990, now hosts poetry readings, theater performances, art exhibits and workshops offering a platform for 23 artists from 15 countries. Built in the 1970s the sprawling 4,000-square-meter villa in the heart of Tirana was once a heavily guarded seat of power. Hoxha ruled Albania with an iron fist creating an atmosphere of fear and paranoia. Today surrounded by modern high-rises, vibrant bars and nightclubs, the villa has been renovated and repurposed as a space for artistic expression a far cry from its former life as a symbol of repression. The transformation was made possible by a promise from Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama to French President Emmanuel Macron in October 2023 to turn the villa into an artists’ center—a move intended to “make Enver Hoxha roll in his grave.” Once closed off to the public the villa opened its doors to artists in late January with plans to welcome tourists in the near future.

Nita Deda, manager of Art Explora the French foundation behind the villa’s makeover, believes art has the power to confront painful pasts. “This villa symbolizes a past that needs to be dealt with,” she said. Inside artists are encouraged to explore a wide range of emotions and expressions—fury, betrayal and the absurd—representing a stark contrast to Hoxha’s ideological control. Ukrainian artist Stanislava Pinchuk one of the visiting artists, expressed awe at Hoxha’s library filled with works from communist leaders like Marx, Engels, Stalin and Lenin, as well as books on topics banned under Hoxha’s regime, including sexuality. Pinchuk described the library as a testament to an ideology that refused to die. Italian artist Genny Petrotta was equally intrigued by a book on Albanian customs, particularly the centuries-old tradition of sworn virgins, women who declared themselves men to gain the same rights as men in society. Petrotta was struck by the analytical depth with which the tradition was described, adding that it reflected the theme of power.

In addition to the studios and exhibits the villa’s underground tunnels built as shelters from potential attacks have also captured the interest of the artists. Their upcoming exhibit will open in April, and the public, no longer fearful of Hoxha’s legacy, will be able to view the artwork. Hoxha’s regime, which lasted for 46 years was marked by extreme repression, with around 100,000 Albanians imprisoned, executed, or sent to internment camps. Today, Albania has emerged from its communist past with a rapidly developing economy and an influx of tourists—10 million visited the country last year. However, not everyone supports the villa’s transformation. Some, like Xhevdet Lani, a taxi driver and long-time resident of Tirana, believe the villa should have remained untouched as a historical lesson for future generations. “It would have been better if it had remained for generations so that our children and grandchildren could learn from it,” Lani said, emphasizing the importance of preserving the villa’s history as a reminder of Albania’s past.