Communist propaganda: Partisans and cigarette smoke are removed from Enver Hoxha's photo

Kastriot Dervishi

In the propaganda photos, the leader must appear forward-looking. Both his appearance and the background must always be perfect, because that is how they serve the manipulation. Otherwise, the photos were processed and cleaned. The people had to create an image as close as possible to the lie of the regime.

We bring the next picture. Enver Hoxha is photographed here in Vithkuq, Korça, on the occasion of the formation of the first brigade.

The original (left) as preserved in the ALP Archive and the manipulated photo in the dictator's albums (right).

Unfortunately for the propagandists, the leader had posed with cigarette smoke on his face. Likewise, two partisans come carelessly behind him.

As the picture was, it didn't convey the right messages. It should not have been smoky and careless, and those partisans from behind who did not even show discipline and order should not have disturbed the background. The partisans are removed from the picture and the smoke is also removed from the face.