photographed in their former house in Korça

Born on May 13, 1957, in Korçë, Ivana Topençarov was a high school senior at “Themistokli Germënji” when her father was arrested on April 8, 1976. A year later, her brother Nestor was also arrested and imprisoned. These devastating events completely altered the course of her life.

Despite being an excellent student, Ivana was not allowed to pursue higher education. Instead, she worked in construction, land reclamation, and a shoe factory. Left alone with her mother at home, she faced severe challenges, including pressure from the State Security to become an informant, which she steadfastly refused. Even after the release of her father and brother from prison, life remained difficult as she had to care for her father, who suffered severe psychological and physical consequences due to the inhumane treatment he endured during interrogation and imprisonment. Under the conditions of persecution that marked her youth, Ivana was unable to start a family.

In October 1990, she and her family were repatriated to her father’s homeland, North Macedonia, where she still resides today.