Letters from Prison
Lek Mirakaj
He was sentenced on 15 October of the year 1980 on the charge of agitation and propaganda to 10 years of imprisonment. On 27 March of the year 1987 he gains freedom through work and amnesty.
Fragment from a letter scanned for AIDSSH from the original, part of the personal collection of Mr. Lek Mirakaj.
29.11.1984
My dear ones,
I am well, and likewise I wish the same for you. It has been almost a month here and I have not received a letter from you, I do not know how to explain this. You may explain it by fatigue and what do I know; in any case if your feelings and thoughts have dried up, you can send me periodically some telegram so that I may at least know that you are healthy. You had written to me that you want to come in December, do as you see reasonable, always keeping the weather in mind; if you think for one reason or another, send me the sweater and the socks by parcel. It would be good to come with Dava, with one trip and two jobs. If Manjola is not working with the book, bring it to me. The weather up to now has been very good; if you have decided, it would be good to make use of it. I embrace mother and Erton.
Leka
Fragment from a letter scanned for AIDSSH from the original, part of the personal collection of Mr. Lek Mirakaj.
28.03.1984
Shumë të dashturit e mij mamë, Loli, Davë, Matildë, Manjolë, Erton, Albanë e Agustin!
My very dear ones, mother, Loli, Davë, Matildë, Manjolë, Erton, Albanë and Agustin! Today as I write you these lines, you dear Loli and you my dearest Erton, in the morning have wished each other happy birthday and without doubt you have thought that something is missing, the wish from your father—even though far from you, just as every day, today also even more I have greeted you and wished you happy birthday and my mind and my soul have been near you. I wish and hope that on the next birthday, when Erton turns 10 years old, father will wake you by kissing your eyes and congratulating you himself, and not anymore with wishes by telegrams and letters. Dear Loli, I received the letter of the date 18.03, I also received the two telegrams. I sent you a congratulatory telegram for your birthday and I believe that today you should have received it. Now these days I live with the thought that after two weeks I will have you near and I will rejoice with you. The request for the meeting I will make on 15.04 because I have not made a request for a meeting. You wrote to me that Matilda has sent me a letter, perhaps I have received it, but I cannot say, because Matilda writes letters without date.
Manjola had begun the work, to write to me that she has not taken the work with sorrow, I am glad and hopefully it will go well, I miss that little rascal and I love her very much. How is mother with health, how are Dava with the children, how did Lajdja become with health, how is Vali with children? Regarding the matter of Matilda’s “talk”, it seems to me that it is not proper that she meets with that boy, and even more Matilda. For this issue, you know what request I have; I want to know the opinion of my people in Shkodër; however, we will talk when you come. Special needs I do not have, with the exception of the glasses that I wrote to you about; if you have the possibility, bring me tobacco and if you find coffee. I finish by wishing you once again, you and Toni, happy birthday and next year hopefully together. I kiss you all with longing. Mojsi needs a pair of slippers.
Yours, father Leka
