Today, Albanians remember At Zef Pllumi on his 101st birthday. He symbolizes spiritual resistance and human dignity.

The National Historical Museum highlighted key moments from his life. He spoke boldly, thought freely, and lived “only to tell.”

Born in Lezhë in 1924, At Zefi studied at the Franciscan College of Shkodra and the “Illyricum” Lyceum, graduating in 1942. During World War II, he joined Hylli i Dritës journal and served as secretary to At Anton Harapi, a leading Franciscan. The communist regime arrested him for his free thinking.

The authorities imprisoned him in Shkodër and later sent him to Bedeni camp. After his 1949 release, he worked at the Shkodra Museum as a numismatics technician and served as a priest in Arrë e Madhe and Shosh.

In 1967, the regime arrested him again. He spent 23 years in prisons and labour camps, including Spaç, Reps, Ballsh, Skrofotinë, Tirana, and Zejmen. Despite this, he emerged without hate, determined to bear witness.

After 1989, he revived Hylli i Dritës. He wrote the celebrated trilogy Live Only to Tell (1995–2001) and other influential works, including Great Franciscans (2001) and Antipoetry for the Twentieth Century (2001). He also republished the complete works of Albanian Franciscans.

The state honoured him. In 2006, the President awarded him the Order “Honour of the Nation.” The Ministry of Culture gave him the “Golden Pen” award for his trilogy.

At Zef Pllumi died on 25 September 2007 at Gemelli Hospital in Rome. On 30 September, Shkodra laid him to rest. His life, work, and legacy continue to inspire generations.

Source: Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Victims of Communist Terror, Institute for the Study of Communist Crimes and Consequences.

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