The Tragic Fate of the December ’90 Students and Albania
By Denis Bucpapaj
On May 28, 1991, with Decision No. 168 of the Council of Ministers, the Shkodër Higher Pedagogical Institute was granted university status, becoming “Luigj Gurakuqi” University. This historic decision did not happen by chance; it was the result of a long period of mobilization, student strikes, and demonstrations, in which Flamur Bucpapaj played a decisive and symbolic role. He was the first to formulate the request addressed to former Minister Maqo Lakrori to elevate the institute to university status, thereby taking a crucial step for the development of higher education in Shkodër and northern Albania. The decision was announced at a major rally and during strikes with the participation of all students, clearly showing that without their mobilization and determination, nothing would have been possible.
Flamur Bucpapaj’s role, from the beginning to the moment of receiving the official approval and bringing it to Shkodër, was pivotal. Under his leadership, the former Party Committee in Shkodër transferred authority to the new university, dormitories for female students were opened, the quality of dining facilities and living conditions improved, and aid for students was secured. Teaching and the student status were significantly enhanced, and he undertook numerous economic, political, and social reforms, increasing student participation and challenging the old system.
However, these actions were not met without resistance. Flamur Bucpapaj was the first to be arrested and endured a month of torture by the Shkodër police while leading a hunger strike against Ramiz Alia and the Political Bureau of the Party of Labor, demanding fair elections, genuine pluralism, and real political rotation. He was heavily monitored by the state security, so much so that people were afraid to approach him, yet the students were not intimidated; they spoke with him and followed him every step of the way. The December 13, 1990 demonstration, which began from the Zdrale dormitory with a student march and a meeting in the auditorium with Xhemal Dymylen, became a symbol of defiance against bureaucracy and the former communist regime. Flamur Bucpapaj spoke out strongly and raised slogans against the political bureaucracy, demonstrating extraordinary courage and determination.
After the triumph of democracy, the reality for the December students was tragic. Many were politically sidelined, while the former communist elite retained influence and economic benefits, controlling privatizations and major tenders. Personal tragedies were immense: Azem Hajdari was tragically killed, Arben Lika ended up in prison, Bardhyl Ukçama was forced to emigrate to America, Afrim Krasniqi was excluded from politics, and Flamur Bucpapaj was punished and marginalized by Bashkim Gazidede, who was responsible for many losses of the Democratic Party and the north-south civil conflicts. Many students remained unemployed, on the streets, or emigrated abroad, while a few survived and integrated into the main political parties. This bitter contrast shows that formal democratic victory does not guarantee justice for those who fought for it, and that idealism is often paid for at a high cost.
The demonstrations and efforts of the December students must not be forgotten. The coordinated attacks by socialist forces, including opposition to and isolation of Flamur Bucpapaj, clearly show the resistance of the former communists to maintain their political and economic influence. Many of them profited and today remain insatiable oligarchs, controlling tenders, privatizations, and national assets, while the idealists of December were often excluded from any opportunity to influence public life. This is a sad reminder that reforms and democracy do not automatically ensure justice, especially for those who challenged the old system.
The fight against leftist corruption, as led by Flamur Bucpapaj and the December students, is a story of courage and determination in pursuit of justice, pluralism, and transparency. Their demonstrations, strikes, and slogans were an open act against bureaucracy, state security, and the communist elite, showing that political liberation requires great sacrifices. The story of December ’90 and the University of Shkodër is a narrative of freedom won through sacrifice, confrontation with injustice, and the struggle against corruption and the oligarchy of the former regime. Flamur Bucpapaj and the December students remain examples of resilience and bravery, but their tragic fate reminds us that idealism often comes at a high price, and that historical memory must preserve their efforts to prevent the repetition of past injustices and manipulations.
