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Poet’s Funeral

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‘Gjemma’ during the full traditional funeral ceremony held in honour of Martin Camaj at his family’s home. After an exile of 46 years, Martin died in Munchen, Bavaria, where he had been Professor of Albanian studies. His body was buried in Lenggries, however the locals wanted to show their respects by holding the traditional funeral at his home – clothes were taken from various households and instead of his head they had a picture of him at age 18 and books that had been banned under the Hoxha regime. Telume village.

Just before he was due to return to Albania for the first time after an exile of 46 years, the poet and dissident, Martin Camaj died in Munchen, Bavaria, where he had been Professor of Albanian studies. His body was buried in Lengries, Germany, however the locals wanted to show their respects by holding a traditional funeral ceremony – clothes were taken from various households and to replace his head they used a photo of him aged 18 and books that had been banned under the Hoxha regime. The Gjemma during the funeral ceremony held in honour of Martin Camaj, at his family home, Telume village.