Videos

'Grandparents. Grand Stories' Contest Honourable Mention in the Audiovisual Category Title: 'The Chamber of Noble Resilience' Author: Maria Ferati (Albania) "In this work, which I have titled 'The Chamber of Noble Resilience', I have shared a very precious story of my family. With a heart full of pride, I am writing about my great-great-grandfather, Hakik Hysa—a man I never had the chance to meet personally, but whose heroic deeds continue to illuminate my path even after so many years. For me, it is truly a privilege that his extraordinary sacrifices, which remain engraved in the memory of our people, are now being recognized with the dignity they deserve. Hakik Hysa, a brave man born and raised in the village of Zall-Dardhë in Dibra, Albania was a distinguished figure during the years 1943-1944. During the National Liberation War, he opened the doors of his home to 60 partisan heroes. For the partisans, each day was a new challenge, filled with countless dangers that threatened them. They crossed harsh mountains, enduring difficult conditions, hiding from the enemy, suffering from hunger and exhaustion. Wounded and weary, the partisans sought refuge in the homes of courageous people willing to help them. Among these brave individuals was my great-great-grandfather, Hakik Hysa, who, for a full two years, sheltered, protected, fed, and clothed them, even turning his home into a makeshift "hospital." Whenever the partisans were injured or wounded in battle, Hakik, along with his sons, was ready to take them into their tower and treat them. They cared for them, washing and tending to their wounds with great dedication." The women of Hakik Hysa’s household played an equally important role in this heroic story. They cooked with devotion to feed the partisans and stayed up late at night sewing socks and shoes for them. Additionally, the renowned fighter Myslym Keta also found shelter in Hakik Hysa’s tower. These accounts can be found in a book written about Hakik Hysa, titled Hakik Hysa of Dardha. In this book, we also find verses written by the great Albanian writer Dritëro Agolli, who, after visiting Hakik’s tower, dedicated several pages to him—pages that are also presented in my video.