The twentieth century probably had the greatest chance of being completely human. But in reality quite the opposite happened. Apart from local wars for territorial division and deployment, the world was involved in two major wars. Europe, after 1945, was infected with a totalitarian system that would lead the victims to an unbelievable balance. Anti-humanism, the plague of the twentieth century, was accompanied by Nazi-Fascism and Communism. According to historian and director of National Historical Museum, Mr. Koçi, “Totalitarianism is a phenomenon of the twentieth century’. We’ve also had governing regimes in the past, that have strived for unlimited domination, such as Louis XIV in France, but they could never set a totalitarian rule or claim for total control. Totalitarianism was made possible by circumstances of advanced technology development and further modernization of all communications, weapons and army tools. These developments facilitated the expansion and strengthening of comprehensive state control “.
European Parliament proclaimed August 23rd as European Day of Commemoration of Victims in Totalitarian Regimes. In this context, National Historical Museum, in collaboration with Informing Authority on Former State Security Files, held a memorial symposium and an exhibition addressing the victims of Nazi-Fascist and Communist terror in Albania from 1939 to 1990. The Minister of Culture was represented by Deputy Minister, Mr. Zef Çuni. Mrs. Susanne Schutz, Ambassador of the Republic of Germany in Albania, honored us with her presence, as well as the Ambassador of Poland, Mr. Karol Bachura. An important commentary was held by Mrs. Gentiana Sula, Head of the Informing Authority on Former State Security Files and Dr. Marenglen Kasmi, member of this Authority. In his statement, Mr. Koci, would emphasize that: “The differences between two forms of totalitarianism are: the economic and foreign relations aspect. In communism, in terms of economic aspect, private property is liquidated, state property is established and the state is the sole owner and employer, while in fascism, private property is kept under state control, dictated by government policy. Communism, in terms of foreign relations, condemns other imperialist countries and the motto “proletarians of all countries unite” prevails. In fascism we have an economic and extreme nationalism. The combination of all these features is the core of totalitarianism.”
But what does August 23ed represents? An agreement between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, which paved the way for World War II tragedy and its consequences: concentration and forced labor camps, the holocaust, burning furnaces and many years of Cold War and further criminal regimes. That is why on the 23rd of August, the day when Ribbentrop-Molotov pact was signed, is also known as the “European Day of Commemoration of Victims of Totalitarian Regimes”. On this day, Europe remembers millions of people who were killed in totalitarian regimes. In the end, Mr. Koçi invited the attendees to visit National Anti-Fascist Wars and Communist Persecution Pavilions in the Museum.
