Avni Rustemi in the Assembly, in 1924: Don't laugh when Lenin is mentioned

By: Kastriot Dervishi

On February 4, 1924 in the Constitutional Assembly of Albania (the second floor of the Academy of Sciences today), at the beginning of the meeting the deputy Rauf Fico proposed holding mourning in honor of the American president [Woodrow] Wilson, as a moral obligation to his dedication to the Albanian issue. Right after this mourning was held, MP Jashar Erebara - secretary of the Assembly, pushed by Avni Rustemi - during the break of the session asked to hold mourning for Lenin as well, since according to him he was for a "Greater Albania". Erebara's request caused hilarity in the hall due to the fact that Lenin was a Bolshevik and that everyone knew that this proposal was not his.

In these conditions, to directly defend this proposal, Avni Rustemi took the floor himself. His speech has been interpreted by communist historiography as if he imposed mourning for Lenin on the Constitutional Assembly. Meanwhile, in a feature film dedicated to Avni Rustemi, an angry Ahmet Zogu is shown on the other side of the hall. In fact, this honors Ahmet Zogu, but the truth is that according to the minutes of the meeting, he was not present at this session, but spoke against this proposal outside the Constitutional Assembly when everything was over. From what is understood in the words of the deputies, the mourning in the Constitutional Assembly was not held for Lenin, but for Vani Cico Kosturi, to whose family a telegram was also sent.

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The 7th meeting of the Constitutional Assembly. Monday, February 4, 1924

(Deputies who were absent: Ahmet Zogu, Aqif Elbasani, Fahri Rashid, Faik Konica, Ferid Vokopola, Hoxha Kadri, Izet Didra, Jan Papadhopullo, Kostaq Kotta, Kostaq Paftali, Kristaq Kosturi, Lon Llogori, Milto Tutulani, Nikollaq Zoi, Pandeli Evangjeli, Sami Vrioni, Shazivar Alltuni, Terenc Toçi)

RAUF FICO: Mr President! Without entering into the discussion of the agenda, I want to make a proposal. We are saddened to learn that the former President of the United States of America, W. Wilson, has passed away. Considering the great services he has done to Albania, I propose to take a five-minute break as a sign of grief and to send a telegram of condolence to the family of the deceased.

(Accepted. There is a 5-minute break and after 5 minutes the meeting reconvenes).

JASHAR EREBARA: Before we enter the conversation, I propose to take a five-minute break for Lenin as well, because if Wilson would talk about the good of Albania, Lenin would talk more about a great Albania.

(Hilarious in the hall)

AVNI RUSTEMI: I am very sorry, Mr. President, that when Lenin's name is mentioned, laughter is heard from some representatives of the nation. I don't want Albania to be Bolshevik, because its situation and position do not want it, but for high human principles, his name should be mentioned with respect. You know very well, gentlemen, that he defended the high principles of humanity and that he was the first to denounce the secret treaty of 1915 that was for the dismemberment of Albania. I knew that the proposal made by Mr. Erebara would not be accepted, but we still have the duty to propose a five-minute break as a sign of sorrow for his death.

RENT VLORA: For the honor of so many thousands of souls he slaughtered with his own hands?

ALI KELCYRA: Mr President! In this case that we are starting to take a five-minute break for foreigners, it seems to me that it would be more fair to take a five-minute break for those who have shed their blood for the creation of Albania and who watered this land with their blood theirs. Since today we are going from a life of enmity and neighboring intrigues, I propose that a five-minute break be made for Vani Cico Kosturin, whose son has been killed by the Greeks and his nephew by the Turkish army, and that a telegram be taken from him condolences to his family.

(There is a five-minute break and after five minutes the meeting gathers again).