Lapidary (monument)
Tersely referred to in Albania an abstract, mostly vertical monument in the style of socialist realism , which at the time of the People's Socialist Republic was built. From once between 800 and 1000 there are still around 680 lapidars. As a rule, they were erected at the side of the road, in town centers, at important historical locations or in a raised position and visible from afar in prominent places in the landscape.
Background and structure
Lapidaries represent various themes in the historiography of the Albanian Communist Party under Enver Hoxha . Most of them are reminiscent of fallen so-called "National Martyrs" (Albanian Dëshmor i Kombit ) of the Albanian Partisan War ( National Antifascist Liberation War ; Albanian Lufta Antifashiste Nacional-Çlirimtare (LANÇ) ) in World War II . Lapidare thus serve as a war cemetery and also as a war memorial . Lapidare commemorates regionally and historically significant events in Albanian history such as the Albanian national hero Skanderbeg , the proclamation of national independence in 1912 or the Peza conference less often .
Lapidars are the simplest level of monumental Albanian hero memory from the time of communism. These differ from bronze statues, socialist monuments (mostly less abstract and larger) and ultimately martyrs' cemeteries (Albanian Varreza e Dëshmorëve ). In addition, there were numerous simpler propaganda in the country such as slogans or lettering and memorial plaques on house walls and walls, as well as wall reliefs and busts.
Lapidare are made of concrete and / or stone and are usually simpler and smaller than so-called socialist monuments. Nevertheless, they are undoubtedly considered works of art of Socialist Realism. Compared to the older lapidaries of the 1950s and 1960s, which are simple obelisk and stele-like constructions, younger lapidaries designed in the late 1970s and 1980s often used a more abstract treasure trove of forms. Some of them are combined with bronze reliefs or statues. The transition between a statue, a lapidary and a monument is therefore fluid. Only martyrs' cemeteries are clearly defined because they followed the administrative boundaries of the time.
Current condition and usage
The current state of the Lapidars varies greatly. After the system upheaval in 1991, numerous socialist monuments were destroyed or removed, including some lapidaries. From others only parts such as B. the communist symbolism (especially stars) or individual words and names removed from inscriptions. Still others were demolished due to their material value, removed in the course of (informal) construction work or moved to another location. Most recently, attempts have been made to repaint or restore occasional lapidars. A few were transformed, for example into a cross or other abstract work of art. The majority of the monuments are currently not being maintained, but are in a state of slow decay or are subject to vandalism.
Depending on the regional jurisdiction, annual wreath-laying ceremonies and commemorative ceremonies of veteran associations still take place at some lapidaries, for example in the small town of Përmet . In addition, they are places of social life in everyday life or are used as orientation or meeting points.
Due to the current Monument Protection Act of Albania, it is not yet possible to register the Lapidare as a protected cultural heritage or as an element of protected cultural landscapes.
literature
- Vincent WJ van Gerven Oei: Lapidari . Volumes I – III. punctum books, 2015, ISBN 978-0-692-35046-1 ( publisher's page on the three-volume encyclopedia (English, Albanian) - Open Access ).
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Vincent WJ van Gerven Oei: Lapidari . Volume I. punctum books, 2015, ISBN 978-0-692-35046-1 .
- ^ Albanian Lapidary Survey. In: tumblr. August 26, 2016, accessed on August 27, 2016 (English, ongoing continuation of the book project with images of newly found monuments): "ALS-680"
- ^ Matthias Bickert: Lapidars and Socialist Monuments as Elements of Albania's Historic Cultural Landscapes . In: Vincent WJ van Gerven Oei (ed.): Lapidari . Volume I. punctum books, 2015, ISBN 978-0-692-35046-1 , pp. 105-114 .