During 1960 and early 1961, the Communist Party of Brazil and the Party of Labour of Albania exchanged several fraternal letters on the eve of their respective congresses. These documents, preserved in the archives of the Albanian Communist Party, indicate a close ideological and organizational communication between the two communist parties , during a period of changing relations within the international communist movement.
On July 30, 1960, from Rio de Janeiro, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Brazil wrote to the Central Committee of the Party of Labour of Albania:
The Brazilian letter describes preparations for the party’s fifth congress, including a review of the political line, changes to the statutes and the election of a new Central Committee.
They emphasize that, although they have gained some freedom of action, they still carry out political work under “semi-legal” conditions.
“For this reason, the Congress will be held under special conditions of semi-illegality. However, we need contact and exchange of views with sister parties.”
On December 22, 1960, the answer comes from Tirana:
“The Plenum of the Central Committee of the Party of Labour of Albania has decided that the IVth Congress of our Party will be held on February 13, 1961 in Tirana.”
The agenda would include:
- Report on the activity of the Central Committee of the Party of Labour of Albania;
- Report from the Audit Committee;
- Directives for the Third Five-Year Plan of Economic and Cultural Development;
- Election of the central party bodies.
The Albanian party officially invites the Brazilian comrades to send a fraternal delegate to participate in the Congress . The letter closes with revolutionary greetings and is signed by Hysni Kapo , whose signature is identified in the Albanian account.
A letter dated February 7, 1961, sent from Rio de Janeiro, announces the intended Brazilian delegate:
“Comrade Ramiro Luchesi, member of our Party’s Central Committee and Executive Commission, will represent the Communist Party of Brazil as a fraternal delegate to your IVth Congress,” writes Luiz Carlos Prestes , Secretary General.
An earlier message, dated January 17, 1961, expresses thanks for the Albanian party’s support:
“Your message was a powerful impetus for our struggle. Our national congress marked a new stage in the path of ideological fraternity of the communist movement in Brazil.”
Source note
The dates, the Brazilian party’s contemporary name and the spelling of the delegate’s name should be checked against the original letters. An announcement of a delegation does not by itself establish the date of travel or attendance. The quoted passages are translated from the Albanian article and require comparison with the original correspondence.
