Reburials, Nationalism and Regimes: Identity, Dead Bodies and Regimes of Memory in Albania, 1930s–1970s

Abstract: This article analyzes the body politics of different memory regimes, as manifested by the public burials and reburials of three prominent political and cultural figures in Albania from 1930 to 1978. During this period, Albania experienced the authoritarian monarchical regime of King Zog, followed by the Italian fascist occupation during World War II and the postwar communist regime. Each regime attempted to shape the public memory of Albanian history according to its specific characteristics and aims. The analysis focuses on the state-sponsored repatriations, funerals and reburials of the Frashëri brothers, who were active during the Albanian National Awakening ( Rilindja Kombëtare ), a movement that laid the cultural foundation for the formation of the Albanian state.