photographed in his house in Korça

Born on March 25, 1945, in Mborje, Korçë, Nevruz Golka faced confrontation with the communist regime at a young age. In 1963, following the breakdown of Albanian-Soviet relations, the 18-year- old Golka and a group of friends planned to escape Albania, but their attempt was discovered.

He was arrested on November 10, 1963, under Articles 64, 10, and 14 of the Penal Code, and subjected to severe torture. In January 1964, the Korçë District Court sentenced him to 8 years in prison, from which he was released in March 1971. His family did not support him – during the trial, his father even requested the death penalty for his son. While in prison, the only family member to visit him was his grandmother, and only once.

On February 13, 1973, Nevruz was arrested again after a second failed attempt to escape. He was sentenced to an additional 10 years in prison, which he served in the harsh conditions of the Spaç prison camp.

After serving a total of 17 years, 1 month, and 12 days in prison, Nevruz Golka was released on November 15, 1982, but he had no home to return to. His family refused to accept him, fearing that harboring him might lead to their internment.