According to visit-tirana the Pyramid in Tirana “is absolutely an important tourist attraction. As a symbol of a notorious communism, it resisted some attempts to be destroyed by previous governments. But it is still there, unrestored, a symbol of the mixed and contradictory history of Tirana. It was inaugurated on October 14, 1988, as the mausoleum of the dictator, Enver Hoxha. The pyramid form was designed by a group of architects led by the daughter and son-in-law of the dictator. Construction began in 1986 and ended in 1988. It did indeed serve as a mausoleum for Hoxha, until 1991, after which it became a conference and fair centre.
It took its name—The Pyramid—during the student revolt of December 1990, both from its form but also as a symbol of dictatorship. Today, it is officially known as the Pjeter Arbnori International Cultural Centre, and stands out as a remarkable piece of architecture and legacy from communism.”
Enver Halil Hoxha was the supreme leader of Albania for close to 41 years during which he ruled the country with an iron fist and shaped the future of the country. Enver Hoxha studied in French universities and had a keen interest in communism from his student days. He went to meetings conducted by the French Communist Party and developed his own views on a socialist state when he was barely out of his teens. He became one of the founding members of the Communist Part of Albania and became its first secretary. Hoxha remained the first secretary of the party throughout his life and also served the country as the Prime Minister for a decade from 1944. Concurrently he was the commander-in-chief of the armed forces as well. Hoxha was inspired by the leadership style of Joseph Stalin and was known to order the imprisonment or assassination of political opponents. However, on the other hand, he was also responsible for redistribution of agricultural land that boosted production and also made sure that every Albanian had access to electricity.
These photos were taken in August 2018 and show some views of the Pyramid and the reproduction of a picture of the Pyramid interior taken by Michel Setboun in 1988. This picture was part of his photographic exhibition in Tirana from 6th July to 2nd September 2018.
