Issue 46 of the cultural periodical Illyria, dated 7 March 1936, carried an article entitled “Një libër i Herriot-it: «Creer»”, signed “Tre Yje” (“Three Stars”). A copy survives among the materials in Enver Hoxha’s personal archive examined for this article. An accompanying note from 1980 suggests that Hoxha may have written it. The attribution is presented as a possibility, rather than a conclusive identification.
What the archival material contains
Subfolder 1.2 contains three images: a handwritten explanatory note, the masthead of Illyria, and a clipping of the article. The masthead identifies the publication as issue 46, published in Tirana on 7 March 1936. The article ends with the signature “TRE YJE”.
The accompanying note bears Sokrat Dedja’s name. It states that Ndreçi Plasari supplied the material on 4 March 1980.
Why the question of authorship arises
The note uses the qualified expression “mendohet të jetë” — “is thought to be” — when discussing Hoxha’s authorship. In support of the attribution, it refers to an editorial correspondence notice on page 8 of the same issue, concerning an article Hoxha had sent from Brussels.
That page is not included among the three images in the subfolder examined. The note’s argument therefore cannot be checked in full against this material. The clipping’s presence in Hoxha’s personal archive provides context, but does not establish authorship on its own.
From Herriot’s book to Albania’s problems
The article takes a book by Herriot as its starting point, before turning to Albania. Its author discusses the economy, population, poverty and the responsibilities of educated people. The book prompts questions about the country’s future and the work needed for its development.
A prominent theme is the relationship between patriotism and economic action. The author shifts attention from declarations to organisation, work and the capacity to improve social life. The closing appeal addresses young Albanian scientists.
The text also contains demographic and racial language that requires critical reading today. Its assertions about population, health and poverty are the historical author’s views; they should not be treated as facts verified by this publication.
The document’s significance
The material is valuable both as evidence of cultural debate in the Albanian press in 1936 and as a case of an attribution proposed decades later. The published document confirms the article’s existence and its “Tre Yje” signature. The 1980 note records an attempt to associate it with Enver Hoxha.
A firmer conclusion would require examining the complete issue of Illyria, particularly page 8, cited in the note.
Source: Former Central Party Archive, GF 1 – Personal Fonds, FO 10.AP – Enver Hoxha, F.10AP GR.II NEN.III, subfolder 1.2, files 001–003. This reference follows the names of the digital folders examined; it has not been checked against the official archival inventory.
