In August 1945, just a few months after the liberation of the country, the communists sent an official invitation to Fan Noli to return to his homeland. The letter was written by the Minister of Culture, Sejfulla Malëshova, on behalf of the government and Enver Hoxha.
In the letter, Noli is greeted with special respect and his historical role in the national issue is appreciated by the minister, given that the two had known each other for years and had a regular correspondence between them since the 1930s.
Maleshova wrote to Noli, as leader of Vatra, that his arrival would be "a great fortune for Albania" and that it would "crown your entire patriotic past."
Part of the letter also emphasizes the political importance of Noli's presence at that crucial moment: "Enver Hoxha, I and the entire government are of the opinion that your arrival in Albania would be a great moral and political help."
The letter also directly refers to the upcoming elections, inviting Noli to come to Albania precisely at that time: "Soon, perhaps by the end of October, we will have elections for the Founding Assembly. It would be very good if you came to Albania, even if only provisionally."
In conclusion, Malëshova asks Noli to express his opinion and underlines that the Albanian government and people eagerly await his response.
This letter shows the newly created regime's attempt to gain moral and political legitimacy through important figures of national history and those of the historical Albanian diaspora in the US.
Fan Noli, however, never finally returned to Albania, remaining a respected figure, but since 1945 increasingly distanced from the communist regime.
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LETTERS
Tirana, 27-VIII-'45
Grace!
Enver Hoxha, I and the entire government are of the opinion that your arrival in Albania would be a great fortune for Albania. Thus, not only would your entire patriotic past be crowned, but our country would have great moral and political help in the current situation.
I am certain that the Albanian people, who today have put their fate in their own hands, will honor you as you deserve and will give you the place you deserve.
Soon, probably by the end of October, we will have elections for the Founding Assembly. It would be very good if you could come to Albania on this occasion, even if only temporarily.
Anyway, please write me your opinion about coming to Albania.
We are all eagerly awaiting your words!
Respectfully,
Sejfulla Malëshova
