On November 8, 1965, teacher Novruz Bektashi sent a poetry collection to Enver Hoxha with the symbolic title “Free Eagles” as an act of literary and ideological devotion. This manuscript recounts, through long, emotionally charged verses, the sacrifices, wars, and rebirth of the Albanian nation under the flag of the Party of Labour of Albania.
✒️ Poetry as a political and educational act
In hundreds of verses, the poet combines the classical motifs of lyric poetry with socialist ideology:
“Nature itself gave birth to free Albanians in our mountains,
Free they grew, they developed in successive generations…”
Albanian original:
“NATYRA VETË I LINDI TË LIRA SHQIPET NË MALET TONA,
TË LIRA U RRITËN, U ZHVILLUAN NË GJENERATA ME RADHË…”
While describing the heroic history of the Illyrians, Skanderbeg, the anti-fascist war, and the building of socialism, the poet praises the Party and Leninist ideology as the saviors of the people.
🕊️ The voice of captivity and the curse of enemies
Numerous passages are filled with sadness for the injustices of past centuries and harsh language towards internal and external enemies:
“For us there is no more rule or chauvinism,
“Not even fascist bloodsuckers who drank the blood of my people.”
Albanian original:
“PËR NE NUK KA MË SUNDIM AS SHOVINIZËM,
AS GJAKPIRËS FASHISTË QË PININ GJAKUN E POPULLIT TIM.”
In them, traces of socialist literature are felt, which attempts to educate the younger generation with feelings of honor, sacrifice, and obligation to the nation.
👨🏫 School, family and the future
A separate segment of the volume is dedicated to education, the role of school and family:
“This key elevates and exalts man,
This key teaches great things to people…”
Albanian original:
“KY ÇELËS E NGRE NJERIUN E LARTËSON,
KY ÇELËS GJËRA TË MËDHA NJERËZVE U MËSON…”
He supports the values of knowledge as the path to building a modern, emancipated and socialist Albania.
❤️ Poems of love and self-reflection
At the end of the collection, personal poems appear that change rhythm and tone, such as “The Heart Flies,” “They Have Lied to You, O Nik,” and “I Love You Just the Way You Are.” They show that beyond the political spirit, the author maintains individual and emotional sensitivity.
📜 A passionate work for its time
“Free Eagles” is not simply a literary collection, but an authentic testimony to the socialist reality of the 1960s , where art and ideology coexisted as tools of propaganda and education.
