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Beyond emotion and as a tribute to the judge killed in the line of duty

2025-11-14 18:08:00, Opinione Luan Rama

Through photography, not simply as an art form that has its own stylistics, compositional structure, and technique as complex as painting itself, we not only reproduce and document reality with precision, but we also give ourselves a bridge of communication with the past. Through it, in a way, we return to it, we speak to it.

I like this return. It creates a feeling of longing, it gives me emotion. It also pushes me to meditate and reflect.

So, sometimes I "go" to the archive, browse through photo albums and "recreate" the past through them; people, events, memories. But also myself.

Today I want to share with you the emotion of a photograph that takes me back to Shkodra. It takes me back to that great world of art, which was for me a great space of freedom, albeit within a time without freedom.

In that space and within that world that had its origins in the "Youth Club", artists took their path and became known and famous, talented and great, who later owned the stage of the "Punëtori" Cinema, the house of culture, the "Migjeni" Theater, and brought honor to Albania.

Gratitude for Mr. Nardi, for Hilmi Tuka and Bardh Luka is for me an unchanging human, moral and civic obligation.

The photo that I am publishing to share with all of you, captures a moment after the end of the performance organized by the "Youth Club" in collaboration with the very well-known and beloved group for many art lovers of that time, the group "Na bashkoi kënga popolle".

I was the presenter of the show. For that role, the word "spokesman" was often used. Less often, "conferencer." Today, the word "moderator" is most commonly used. But "leader" is also used quite a bit.

There are two reasons that prompted me to publish this photo.

The first motive; to remember with honor and respect all those who are characters in it, those who are not alive, but also the others after so many years, wherever they are today. I don't remember everyone's names. So I invite Astrit Fani, Mois Preka, but also anyone else who knows anyone in the photo, to help me with the names of those present.

I recognize the late Hilmi Tukaj. Behind me standing is the musician Bardh Luka, between the two artists of the group "Na bashkoi kënga popollere" (on his right is the soloist of the group Agim Duro). There is the singer Klotilda Daliu, the director Zehrudin Dokle, and next to him is the actor Mojs Preka.

The second motive is related to the late Astrit Kalaja. The judge killed in the courtroom, in the line of duty.

Because, Astrit is also in this photo. He is the second one standing, on the left of the photo, in the middle, with Mr. Quku on his right (if I'm not mistaken) and singer Agim Duro on his left arm.

It's a photo from 1989. It was November. 36 years ago. At an event dedicated to the 45th anniversary of the liberation of the homeland.

Astrit was appointed instructor in the district youth committee. He was responsible for the youth of schools and cultural institutions.

Modest, simple, taciturn and understanding with everyone. Calm and measured, never hasty. Above all, a good friend.

I remember him with respect. And I will always remember him with respect. As he deserves. So, beyond the completely explainable emotion, I publish this photo so that his family will have one more memory of the good Astrit.

But, I am also publishing it as a tribute to Astrit, who is no longer alive. And as a reminder to those who administer justice, to his former colleagues, to the deputies and people in power. And to the ministers, the Prime Minister, the President of the Republic who a month and a few days ago rushed with messages of condolence and respect for him, but who today seem to have forgotten that Astrit Kalaja was killed in the line of duty and that he deserves all state honors, as has happened before with those who have been killed or fallen in the line of duty.

Who is killing Astrit Kalana again with oblivion? Why is the judge killed in the line of duty not declared a "Martyr of the Homeland", as proposed by the judges' conference?

Who has become an obstacle?

Who wouldn't?!

The state has a duty to honor its servants. On the contrary, ingratitude, lack of honor and respect, “murder” through forgetfulness puts the state on the side of the murderer, whose bullet actually took the life of the judge on duty, but in fact, killed justice itself.