Through archival documents and testimonies from survivors, the documentary—created by Rovena Rrozhani and Dorian Zanaliu—depicts the suffering of interned families, particularly women and children, who were targeted by the policy of collective punishment.

During the event, the representatives from the AIDSSH, researchers, filmmakers, and witnesses to the history of internment emphasized the importance of documenting the past and passing on historical memory to younger generations.

According to archival records, in 1950, there were 820 internees at the Valias camp, 372 of whom were children. The internees faced harsh living conditions, a lack of clean water and restrictions on their freedom. The camp was closed in 1952, and the internees were transferred to other camps.

The documentary was first presented in August 2025, as part of the commemorative event “Valiasi – From Camp to Memorial.” Its screening at the KO:SH Film Fest aims to encourage reflection on the consequences of the communist dictatorship, the importance of historical memory and the observance of human rights. /j.p/p.s./

Rama said that this campsite is a natural paradise with wooden houses and 10 safari tents.

Besides sleeping and fresh food, the tourists in this campsite can also practice several outdoor activities, such as: rafting and kayaking along the Vjosa River, explore Langarica Canyon and thermal baths; they can ride electric bicycles along the Vjosa River; do kayaking and multi-day camping from the border with Greece along the Vjosa River; hiking and trekking at the Sopot waterfall, thus having an unforgettable experience in the heart of nature, with the impressive view of the majestic Nemërçka Mountains.

“Glamping Albania Adventure” is a model that combines the experience of camping with comfort, a completely ecological experience, with 100% clean energy and in full respect for nature, further promoting the sustainable development of Përmet area through water sports experiences, ecotourism and agrotourism as a jewel for the promotion of local economies.

On her part, Minister of Tourism and Environment Mirela Kumbaro stated that, “Today, there are 800 registered guides of all types from cultural to hiking, cycling, etc.”

The managers of the “Glamping Albania Rafting Vjosa” campsite stated that PM Rama’s posts have helped a lot in promoting this campsite and attracting tourists.

Speaking about investment and future projects to head of government, PM Rama also appreciated the support provided, so far. They proposed that in these areas, there should be established park-canyons, a model applied in many countries around the world and that attracts tourists.

“The Çuka Canal should become a park-canyon, it will become fantastic, this type of construction should be introduced and it will greatly develop tourism, it will be a wooden platform and it is a Dutch practice, but widespread throughout the world. This area is considered one of the best”, said director of the campsite. /a.f/p.s./

Muzhaqi said that, “Rin Camp will take place in the southern coast of the country, where for three consecutive days from August 30 to September 2, there will be organized various activities where there will participate special guests”.

She invited young people to join “Rin Camp”, as the best opportunity for expanding knowledge in different fields and cooperation between them.

“Young people aged 20-26 from all over the country, if they want to join this camp, they should apply at the link: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?”, said the minister, while she informed about the opportunities they will have for the connection with the labor market, digitalization of the workplace and education, scientific research in higher education, student structures, developing leadership skills, interpersonal skills and soft skills and they will socialize and get to know young people from all over Albania.”/r.e/p.s./

“On our way back from Gjirokastra, we honored the memory of those who lost their lives & suffered inhuman treatment in Tepelena’s internment camp”, wrote Hohmann on Twitter.

She emphasized that dealing with the communist past & its atrocities will always be vital for Albania in building a democratic & prosperous society.

“The upkeep of landmarks such as the Tepelena internment camp is of great importance. They are tangible remnants of the communist era and should be preserved for future generations”, wrote Hohmann.

Hohmann was earlier in Gjirokastra where she visited the Regional Labor Office which she described as a consolidated institution and an example of cooperation between the EU and the Albanian government to help citizens match their skills with local needs and find suitable jobs.

Likewise, in the EU corner of the city, Ambassador Christiane Hohmann also met with young representatives from the city’s Youth Council./p.s./

Together with Code.X, a non-for-profit founded by Stanford Alumni who work in Silicon Valley, they are bringing a next-level-coding-summer-camp for the Albanian kids in e very special space: Korça ICT Academy.

100 children from all over Albania, 20 youth, 10 international instructors studying & working in the biggest tech hubs of the US, and few Albanian university professors’ will be in Korça for two weeks, to learn Python, React.js and Human Centered Design.

Code for Albania started four years ago with 21 youth from Tirana and 6 from Korça, under the patronage of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, the Municipality of Korça and the tech diaspora in the US – and now there are 70 children from all over Albania and 30 from Korça, and counting more than 200 children and youth trained extensively in python, react.js, low code/no code, and design thinking during this period.

Code for Albania is a three-year program structured in three summer camps and all-yearlong trainings. Youth learn and make friendship, build trust and experiment in a safe and demanding environment. With great educators, and the network of tech leaders, it’s sure that the successful start-ups of 2030 will come from here.

The partnership aims to establish a regional hub for summer camps and tech events in Korça. Under the moto “We dare to make change happen!’ they want to show that Albania is larger than Tirana, and that, beyond technology, both embrace diversity, art, sport – wishing that youth of the region can come once to Korça and have their once-in-a-life opportunity to change the game, supported by their teams.

Their call for the others is to dare and join, building together in the next three years a tech-innovation-cradle where youth of South Eastern Europe can start building a prosperous and peaceful future, and do that here in Korça.

Yuri Kim reacted to the fact that 3000 people were kept in this camp in terrible conditions while only during two months in 1950, 285 children lost their lives from diseases.

Yuri Kim called on the Albanian authorities to continue to collect and publish documents and data related to this painful part of Albania’s history.

“I was honoured to join the former political persecuted and their relatives for opening of the permanent foreign exhibition in the former internment camp in Tepelena. During its operation, in the years 1949-1953, the Tepelena camp held over 3000 people, in terrible conditions. In just two months in 1950, 285 children died of the disease.”

“I was touched when I heard Simon Mirakaj, who was forced to live there from the age of four to nine. He talked about what he and others endured in the camp. It is very important that the Albanian authorities continue to collect and publish documents and data related to this painful part of Albania’s history. People continue to suffer, especially those who have not yet found the remains of their loved ones. Peace cannot come without truth and reconciliation.” /a.a/r.e/p.s./

The exhibition is context of a two-year project that aims to keep alive the memories and stories of people documenting the fate of Albanians who were arrested by Nazi Germany during 1943-1944 in Albania and sent to the Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria.

Part of the exhibition is also the documentary “From hell to hell”, which tells the stories of eight people who were arrested by the Germans in the cities of Tirana, Vlora, Durrës, Përmet and Korça and then sent to the Mauthausen death camp.

They managed to survive and returned home, but at that time another dictatorship was established in Albania.

Attending the opening of this exhibition was Minister of Culture Elva Margariti, Director of the National Historical Museum Dorian Koçi, Charge d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Tirana Demian Smith, the Austrian Ambassador in Tirana Christian Steiner and Ambassador of Japan in Tirana Takada Mitsuyuki. /j.p/r.e/p.s./