# Festivali i Këngës 11

Festivali i Këngës 11 (Albanian for the "11th Song Festival") took place from 22 to 25 December 1972 in Tirana, Albania, and was organized and produced by Albanian Public Radio and Television.
The Albanian dictator of the time, Enver Hoxha, perceived the organisers of the event to be "Enemies of the Public", a name given to all the subjects who he considered a danger to the country. Many of them were subsequently murdered after being accused of endangering the country's mentality by introducing an immoral aspect to the show, and plotting against the government by influencing the Albanian youth. The claims were out of context and these murders were used as an example and a statement for future organizers.

## The program

The festival was held on the 24th, 25th and 26th of December 1972, over three nights. All 20 songs were presented on the first night, resung on the second one, and only the selection of the 10 best songs were sung again in the final.
The winner of the festival was Tonin Tërshana with "Kur vjen pranvera" (When spring comes).
List of Songs
Part I on the 1st Night
| | Title in Albanian | Composer | Writer | Interpreter |
| 1 | Sonte u takoj të gjithëve | Josif Minga | Shaban Murati | Zija Saraçi |
| 2 | Në ekranin e televizorit | Agron Xhunga | Ibrahim Gani | Justina Aliaj |
| 3 | Dhoma 23 | Flamur Shehu | Betim Muço | Shkëlqim Pashollari |
| 4 | Shoqja më e mirë | Çesk Zadeja | Petraq Qafëzezi | Dorian Nini |
| 5 | Një kujtim nga deti | Vasil Çuni | Sadik Bejko | Lefter Agora |
| 6 | Cila stinë të pëlqen | Gëzim Laro | Ilirian Mezini | Valentina Gjoni |
| 7 | Kur vjen pranvera | Pjetër Gaci | Fatos Arapi | Tonin Tërshana |
| 8 | Përshëndetje | Avni Mula | Tonin Miloti | Petrit Dobjani |
| 9 | Rruga e Dibrës | Alfons Balliçi | Agim Shehu | Kompleksi i Elbasanit |
| 10 | Kush më njeh mua | Agim Prodani | Dritëro Agolli | Ema Qazimi |
II Part
| | Title in Albania | Composer | Writer | Interpreter |
| 1 | Kur dëgjojmë zëra nga bota | Françesk Radi | Sadik Bejko | Françesk Radi |
| 2 | Vajza e qelqeve | Tasim Hoshafi | | Hilmi Hoxha |
| 3 | Nuk them se s'të kujtoj | Ferdinand Deda | Lirim Deda | Fatbardha Rakipi |
| 4 | Mozaik tingujsh, mozaik ngjyrash | Aleksandër Peçi | Natasha Lako | Liliana Kondakçi |
| 5 | Vajzat dhe kompozitori | Aleksandër Lalo | Roland Gjoza | Suzana Qatipi |
| 6 | Mbrëmja e fundit | Enver Shëngjergji | Enver Shëngjergji | Bashkim Alibali |
| 7 | Një degë e gjelbër | Kujtim Laro | Sadik Bejko | Iliriana Çarçani |
| 8 | Natën vonë | Tish Daija | Llazar Siliqi | Vaçe Zela |
| 9 | Duart e tua | Kastriot Gjini | Agim Shehu | Sherif Merdani |
| 10 | Udhët janë të bukura | Agim Krajka | Agim Shehu | Lindita Sota |
Winner
| Kur vjen pranvera | Pjetër Gaci | Fatos Arapi | Tonin Tërshana |

## The Singers

* Lefter Agora
* Justina Aliaj
* Bashkim Alibali
* Iliriana Çarçani
* Petrit Dobjani
* Valentina Gjoni
* Liliana Kondakçi
* Sherif Merdani
* Dorian Nini
* Shkëlqim Pashollari
* Suzana Qatipi
* Ema Qazimi
* Françesk Radi
* Zija Saraçi
* Ilmi Sino
* Lindita Sota (Theodhori)
* Tonin Tërshana
* Vaçe Zela

## Political reactions and persecutions

After the Festival, in the 4th Plenum of the Central Committee of the Labour Party, the Festival was openly criticised and all its songs banned. In all the newspapers of the time, individuals and different groups wrote and expressed their opinions about it and about foreign shows in general. The orientations coming from above encouraged that everyone should condemn them without fear and with revolutionary courage. This was the reason why the letters and writings coming from below, extremely threatening and wild, insisted that the Party take measures.
In a speech held at the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Enver Hoxha, had spoken mercilessly against the Director of RTSH, Todi Lubonja, who was arrested, tried and imprisoned, as well as the propaganda secretary of the Tirana Party Committee, Fadil Paçrami.
The director of the festival, Mihal Luarasi, was sentenced to spend 8 years in prison. His wife, Edi Luarai, who presented the festival, was fired together with the other presenter, Bujar Kapexhiu. Bujar was later sent to a forced labor camp.
The singer Justina Aliaj and authors Françesk Radi and Dorian Nini were also fired, banned from the festival and later persecuted.