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« The day he died all schools and all houses and everything were crying. Like he was their father. Everybody was like that. They were crying […] They didn’t go to work, they didn’t go to school and oh my God what happened. We didn’t go to work or… He was a God to us all. I mean he had a very close relationship with the people. He wasn’t cut off. […] He was everywhere: at the festivals and the celebrations, he spoke sweetly, he was optimistic, he gave a lot. He had a very close relationship with the people. And the people truly loved him like he was a real father or God. And he used to send letters of comfort to every family that had problems or misfortunes. And he used to give them support. And he cared for every single person. What I want to say is that he had become a part of the family. Most of all he was human. He was second after God. He was very smart but he was also close to the people. »
« When I saw the picture of Hoxha at Stratis’ home, my blood boiled. I used to say, "Hey you, why do you have him up there." I used to tell him behind my father-in-law’s back! He had him over his bed! Stratis didn’t want him [Hoxha] at all. He wanted to leave for Greece, but he worried about the family that would stay behind! And one day he had a quarrel with my father-in-law and told him, "Why do you have him over my head? "You brought shame on us!" he tells him. "We will keep him here to look at him," he replied. Oh, then my father-in-law took it and smashed it. He was yelling, there was a hell of a fight and he left the house. Hoxha was thrown out. Other people had him like God! Oh, they considered him the best! When he died, they were wailing for him for days on end! […] Well, once in high school I had a friend and even though everyone was crying, we were poking each other and laughing. "Keep quiet, they will turn us in!" I was telling her. »
Father figure
