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| The medieval castle of the former village in Durrës |
"In the center of the administrative unit of Ishëm, these days there is more movement than usual. In the new square called "ABC" dedicated to the first Albanian primary school, work is underway to lay tiles and complete the enclosure.
Meanwhile, in the medieval castle square, groups of restoration workers and those who will install the festival podiums can be seen working parallel to each other.
Members of the "Ishëm" association are preparing for a festive activity that aims to bring together not only residents of the area but also citizens from Durrës and the surrounding areas.
"Three years ago, we organized the first edition of the Fair of typical products, while this year the celebration will be added to the ceremony of the 110th anniversary of the Albanian school, the first school in the districts of Durrës and Tirana," said Sulejman Mezini, one of the organizers, to BIRN.
The Ishëm area, which includes 9 villages, along with the pride given by the first Albanian primary school in the two big districts, keeps in its memory two distinguished students in Albanian culture who hold the high title of "Nation's Honor," the painter Ibrahim Kodra and the actress Tinka Kurti.
Sculptor Qazim Kërtusha and carver Alfred Tema, both originally from Ishëm, gave life to the first three letters of our alphabet in limestone.
April 5, 1913, is the exact day when Luigj Gurakuqi, Minister of Education in the Vlora government, signed the order to open the Ishëm school," added Sulejmani.
Earthquake, wound healing continues.
The head of the Ishëm administrative unit is 37 years old but says less than that.
"The earthquake severely damaged our area, but thanks to government support, we have provided new homes for 350 families," said Kadri Gjyli to BIRN.
We show him that we just passed Lalëz village and noticed work in a new neighborhood, with houses very close to each other.
"We are also working on the construction of another 60 houses, where the last group of families who were left homeless after the seismic shakes, which had their epicenter just a few km away, will live."
Isuf Shehu, the head of the "Ishëm" association, constantly meets friends and acquaintances who are involved in preparing for the festival.
But conversations don't always go according to his predictions.
"A big mess! There are people who think the festival will have political undertones," says Isufi, frustrated.
The Municipality of Durrës, which includes the northern unit of the city, has supported the "Ishëm" association in its initiative to create a square that will bring to mind the educational and cultural heritage of the area.
"But the school's anniversary has nothing to do with pre-election situations. It will be a festival for everyone," said Professor Isufi, as the veteran teacher is called by the area's residents.
The administrative unit has 9 villages, stretching along the coast of Lalzi Bay and the gentle hills that lead towards Kruja and Tirana."
None of the villages have the name Ishëm, a name that the whole region enjoys.
Next week's festival is being prepared in the two squares near the medieval castle, in the inner courtyard of which four families live.
The surrounding walls, with a width of 1.8 meters, have been completely restored and from their height, the view of the Drin River and the cultivated fields of Thumanë can be seen.
A specialized company has given a completely new look to the façade and entrance gate, which had been blocked for years by a private business.
Ing. Nerion Berberi, another son of Ishëm, has been directing the restoration work since September.
"The surrounding walls have an overall length of 2,300 linear meters and the intervention has now been completed throughout the perimeter," said Ing. Nerion.
He guides the workers who are laying the stone pavement inside the castle from the northwest wall to the entrance gate.
Nerion listens attentively to the requests of Isufi and Sulejmani, who aim to create squares for the concert and fair, inside and outside the castle.
"Lulzim Bega, another member of the association, is preparing the amateur artists of the "Ibrahim Kodra" ensemble, who, together with the students of the Children's Cultural Center in Durrës and two professional singers, will be part of the concert," said Isuf Shehu.
When we return to the "ABC" square, the stablemen have almost finished laying the paving stones.
From the tables in the new square, the signpost indicating the direction to "Likmetaj" can be clearly seen, with the name of the village where the painter with European dimensions was born 105 years ago.
Furthermore, there is also one with the name of the street "Ibrahim Kodra", the master who gave fame to his hometown.