photographed in the „Biblioteka e Qytetit“ in Korça

Born on March 10, 1953, in Tirana, Tefta Kolaci faced the harsh consequences of her father’s imprisonment. Colonel Dilaver Radeshi had criticized the regime’s proposed military reforms following the split with the Soviet Union and the subsequent alliance with China. In 1967, he was arrested for “treason against the homeland” and sentenced to 10 years in prison for “agitation and propaganda.” He served part of his sentence in Tirana Prison, followed by time in the cement factory in Elbasan, the Spaç prison camp, and finally, Burrel prison. Following her father’s conviction, Tefta and her family became targets of the State Security. Both Tefta and her mother endured physical and psychological torture. Under the immense pressure, Tefta attempted to take her own life.

In 1978, Tefta, along with her mother, sister, and brother, was forcibly interned from Tirana to Kajan, Elbasan, for five years due to political motives. Her father, after his release from prison, was also interned in the same location.