Socialist Albania army parade (1964)

[TirAlb]

Its quite a long documentary, dedicated to the 29/11/1964 parade, made on the 20th anniversary of the Albanian liberation from Nazi-Fascism .Im posting only the two final parts describing the parade.
Is interesting to note that this was made during a quite difficult period for Albania, we were virtually out of the Warsaw pact, and isolated inside the eastern block, following the Sovietic intervention in Czechoslovakia, and the Russian anti-Stalinist change. Few months before there was also a quasi-war with the Russian fleet stationed in Vlora that was forced to leave the Albanian waters, so at the time a foreign aggression was considered imminent. Pratically our only ally was Maoist China.

from 0-5.30 min- Peple arrival and opening ceremony
From 5.30 min Army units parade, ends with Navy units.

first part " title="first part" target="_blank">first part

0-5.30 Army Vehicles parade, ends with Coastal Artilery, Armored Vehicles, and Missiles units.
from 5.30 Civilians parade.

second part " title="second part" target="_blank">second part

ps.note the amount of people involved, quite a lot considering that the Albanian polpulation was less than 1.5 millions at the time

There's a commentary in Albanian, but the images alone are enough to understand i think.

[kostas68]

Who is the first guy that appears in the first video?He resembles Sali Berisha but it's impossible that it was him.

[TirAlb]

You have to be more specific. However Berisha at the time was a just a teenager so it wasn't him for sure. If you mean the guys in the tribune they are Enver Hoxha the tall one, and Mehmet Shehu his right hand. He died suicide in the late 70, probably because he was accused of being a Yugoslav spy.

[kostas68]

Originally Posted by TirAlb

You have to be more specific. However Berisha at the time was a just a teenager so it wasn't him for sure. If you mean the guys in the tribune they are Enver Hoxha the tall one, and Mehmet Shehu his right hand. He died suicide in the late 70, probably because he was accused of being a Yugoslav spy.

This guy is shown in first part,the first man just after a little girl with his mother.He wears a dark-probably black coat and a white shirt.He doesn't looks like more than 40 but he could be more younger,even 25.I know that at that time people looked in photos usually much older than they really were.Just remember photos of old football teams,men around 25-30 look like 45-50!Anyway,the guy isn't Berisha for sure but he seems to be someone notable.

[TirAlb]

I think i think he is a she, Berishas mother perhaps.