Renowned Albanian actor Viktor Zhusti has publicly reacted on social media after a photo was published of him next to the leader of the "Albania Becomes" movement, Adriatik Lapaj. The actor's reaction comes after claims that the photo was taken only for private use and with the promise that it would not be published, but was later used for political purposes, presenting him as a supporter of this political force.
According to Viktor Zhusti, the photo was taken by chance, as he was returning home after a performance, and was accepted only for personal reasons, for a private album, due to the sympathy that Lapaj had expressed towards him as an actor. Zhusti emphasizes that he had received clear guarantees that the photo would not be published, not only from Adriatik Lapaj, but also from Gent Kames, whom he refers to as an associate of Lapaj and a candidate for deputy of the "Shqipëria Bëhet" movement.
He also explains that he has never been and is not a supporter of the "Albania Becomes" movement, emphasizing that, according to his beliefs, Albania can only be emancipated, modernized and Europeanized by those against whom, according to him, this movement is fighting.
Viktor Zhusti's full reaction:
"Hey, get LLAPA...
I don't know if I brought you any good by wanting you to take a private photo when I was walking home after the show, but you've only brought me harm and worry.
I agreed to take a photo just for your private album, since 'you were very popular as an actor' and you promised me that you wouldn't post it, and I even told your comrade-in-arms, the artist of so many films and the candidate for MP of 'Albania Becomes', the son of my precious friend, Gent Kames, not to post it (I'm also putting the message for him and his promise), but you, it seems, needed a propaganda stunt for December 22nd...
By accompanying the photo with the comment 'he came, met us and gave us positive energy', you make me a supporter and sympathizer of your party and movement 'Albania Becomes', which never even occurred to me, because, in my opinion, Albania will truly become, emancipate, modernize, Europeanize, but ONLY with those against whom you are fighting by every means and means. With your post, you have brought me a lot of hostility, resentment and negative comments, which I did not need.
Yes, it's not the first time I've been disappointed by street friendships..."
Following this public reaction from the actor, Adriatik Lapaj's response has also come. The leader of the "Albania Becomes" movement categorically denies Zhusti's claims, stating that the actor himself had given his approval for the publication of the photo and that his reaction is more related to fear of public reactions than to concrete actions.
Adriatik Lapaj's reply:
"Dear artist, under no circumstances would I respond to you, but I feel more than surprised by what you wrote, which you know very well is untrue. Perhaps the photo with me, the 'enemy of the system', as you yourself say, has caused a lot of hostility, but this is not my fault; apparently, your fear remains. Many witnesses were there and it is provable that I told you 'I'm not posting it' and you said 'post it without a problem'. Since you are so concerned, I, the 'enemy of the people', remove the photo, but your conscience knows that the truth is different. My last name is Lapaj."
