Memories of long gone days, a photo from Pogradec, South

Photographer's Note

Looking through the more than 1000 pictures on TE from Albania, I found maybe two or three showing the ever present bunkers from the days of the Communist regime. I find that rather strange, since these bunkers are one of the weirdest and most common features of the Albanian countryside.

Hundreds of thousands of concrete bunkers were mass produced from the 1950's and onwards. Basically the idea was that every citizen should be able to quickly get into a bunker with a gun, ready to protect the country against any invader. Since they are almost indestructible, they still litter beaches, hillsides, fields and other "strategic" places. A strange legacy of a paranoid regime that didn't trust anyone and saw enemies everywhere.

I saw this bunker on the beach of the holiday town Pogradec by Lake Ohrid in eastern Albania, close to the border with Macedonia. The holiday season had not quite taken off. I guess the pier in the background is filled with tourists these days.

In a workshop is a picture of less wet bunkers.

Nard, worldcitizen, siamesa, Graal, subhendu_bagchi, patdeph, abmdsudi, jhm, Glint, Kielia, skippy007, Angshu, jafadabret, ptiza, ellelloo, ourania, ikeharel, PiotrF has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Nard (6972) 2011-07-17 8:09

Hi Gert
Interresting notes describing the madness of a paranoid regime and nice picture showing how this place has been modified. Even if this place is full of tourists I think we prefer to see such colored pier than bunker.
regards
bernard

eldancer1 (36343) 2011-07-17 8:11

Very nice capture of this seascape and little amusement park. Great pov and dof with nice details. Wonderful colors. Well done, tfs.

rodgerg (55767) 2011-07-17 8:42

Hello Gunnar,

I like the composition in differents plans which give a graet depht to the image. The curious bridge in the secund plan give a very geaphic effect. An unusual view of Albania, an original and well balalnced shot.
Have a nice evening,
Roger

froggy45 (380) 2011-07-17 8:50

Hi Gert,
This is an interesting subject from a country we don't often get to see images from. If it hadn't been for your note, I would have no idea what I was looking at! The place seems well deserted...
I like the composition but think that there is a somewhat blueish tint in the picture. TFS.
Kind regards,
Spela

jadesgran (5433) 2011-07-17 9:35

Hi Holmertz
This looks like a fun place to be on hols.I like the deep colours of the mountains in the backgrond. The little straw roofs on the seating arrangement is very eye catching.Nice place to relax with a glass of wine.
Best Wishes Gladys

agjika (3177) 2011-07-17 11:41

Hi Gert,
Very nice compostion with the mountains in the background. I have been a couple of times in Pogradec but this park must be new.

You are right about the tourists, Pogradec is quite high up from the sea level, it is colder than at the beach in the west of the country and therefore the season there starts later.

As for the bunkers you are right again you cannot miss them and it would cost a fourtune to remove them so I guess Albania is stuck with them!

The communist regime was paranoid that's obvious but I am not sure they were just worried about the invaders I think the bunkers were there mostly to scare the Albanians themselves so that they did not go against the regime. After all it is a well know technique!

Thanks for sharing

Aleks

mkamionka (74311) 2011-07-17 12:23

Hi Gert,
so you are saying this thing in the foreground is an entrance to a bunker? Very strange I wouldn't guess it. I thought it may be a fragment of a damaged equipment for water sports or something.
Very interesting presentation, I completely agree that Albania is underrepresented on TE and I am glad you enrich the gallery of this country.
Sad to hear though. In the time people in the wet were buying cars etc Albanians were getting their own bunker.
Very interesting subject, TFS
M

saxo042 (38078) 2011-07-17 12:51

Hej Gert,
I could see already from the thumbprint that you had taken good care of the composition here. Everything is well positioned and well balanced. The colours are also very pleasant. It wasnґt until I saw the full picture and read the note thqat the "work of art" was supposed to be a bunker. How was it really used? Did they hide inside? I can understand the WS bunkers. Well, all the bunkers here on the west coast of Sweden are now filled with concrete and of no use to anyone...
Hдlsningar
Gunnar

bukitgolfb301 (54014) 2011-07-17 15:26

Hi my dear Gert, how are you?

Your note is very intersting and useful.
Another very peaceful shot coinsiding with your note!
Very good combination of each component.
Great framework and well considered compsitionare perfect as usual. Thanks for your sharing finest work and have a good day!

Best regards,
Takero from Tokyo full of joy for lady soccer No.1

emka (158030) 2011-07-17 22:24

Hi Gert,

It was indeed paranoid regime.. How can they get rid of this bunkers? such a litter for the landscape. I have already heard about it but haven't seen any photos. very interesting note, nice photo. Lake Ohrid is so famous for its beauty, nice view here with I think modern pier.

Warm regards

MAlgo

Graal (103040) 2011-07-17 23:58

Hi Gert,
amazing presentation of Communist heritage in Albania. Nice place but view of bunkers are stunning. Good complementary WS. Photos well done.
Have a nice day.
Aleksander

dkmurphys (79209) 2011-07-18 1:38

Hi Gert,
Fine capture, the colored structure brings more life into the beautiful landscape. Good work, you sure did enjoyed the stay there.

subhendu_bagchi (26091) 2011-07-18 1:47

namaste Gert,
it is really a picturesque place and you showed it to us nicely with perfect light and excellent depth. A colourful and beautiful one. Tfs.
Best wishes.
Subhendu

patdeph (35750) 2011-07-18 7:11

hello Gert
difficult to guess that this thing in the water is a bunker.Thanks for the very interesting note and the WS.Maybe they are used now by the children,to play, it is the same thing in France on the beach with the bunkers of the second war.
We also can see on the picture that the landscape is superb,with the mountains on the horizon,and the nice pier on the beach.
Regards
Pascale

abmdsudi (95869) 2011-07-18 21:15

Hi Gert
This is something new, interesting to see the 'ying' and 'yang' painted clearly on this marooned bunker, probably as decoration, do you know why? and also I find it strange why this is located on the water edge. It truely scenic location, I love in particular the blue mountain blanketed by the slight haze, the pier is an added interest with splash of vivid colors and good touch of greenery. The facilities there is in dire need of visitors as this is newly 'open' country, so the reason is quite obvious. A peaceful and tranquil looking lake indeed, worth a visit. Your WS image illustrates the wider perspective of these strategic bunkers on dry land with lovely backdrop. Great effort Gert, well done
Best regards

wolf38 (30) 2011-07-18 21:43

Hi Gert. Here is all there for fun and pleasure. But of course the focus is on your view of the bunker. Yes, this is a relic from the era of wars. Interesting!!! Informative text. Rgds, Wolfgang.

jhm (211736) 2011-07-19 4:26

Hello Gert,

A wonderful place for take vacation, but a little bit strange image with bunker out of iron time of the USSR.
Excellent panorama view in background.
Colors and sharpness are pleasant for look at.
Splendid perspective and depth image.
Very well done, TFS.

Regards,
John.

Glint (6171) 2011-07-20 6:09

Hello Gert,
at first glance my response to this was that it wasn't a view I would associate with Albania as my mind still thinks of Albania with grim associations.The seaside image resonates more with resorts of the med etc. However,after reading your note and looking closer I see that my pre-concieved ideas are confirmed. I congratulate you on bringing these bunkers to our attention as this shows that you are a good reporter as well as photographer. I does also beg the question of why this common feature of Albania were ignored by others.It is interesting what we as photographers choose photograph or ignore.My own view is that photographing is about more than taking pretty pictures.
best regards,
Bev

Kielia (24077) 2011-07-21 9:13

Dear Gert,
a fascinating feature and very interesting photo work, especially the photo in WS! I also read your note with great interest and the comment written by Aleks. This is a photo in the best spirit of this wonderful site! Thanks for sharing.
Warm regards
Harriet

batalay (41261) 2011-07-22 4:46

Hello Gert,

This is an enigmatic scene, informed by an excellent note, a good example of a short piece of photojournalism. The Albanians were certainly xenophobic during the Communist regime, but did they really believe first, that someone would attack them, and second, that these bunkers would offer protection in the unlikely event that they did attack.

Warm regards,

Bulent

TopGeo (38220) 2011-07-23 11:52

Hi Gert
Interesting notes describing these, and nice picture Very impressive photo from a beautiful place! Excellent use of the corner frame, great composition! Splendit light management, Impressive reflection, wonderful reflections and blue colours, amazing atmosphere! Congratulations!Thanks
Georgios

skippy007 (12510) 2011-07-24 20:04

Hello Gert, Interesting pic, glad for your informative note otherwise I would have thought it was just another pretty sea resort and wondered like mad what the thing with the Jing Jang Symbol was. The mountains make a beautiful backdrop.
Regards
Santo

Angshu (56760) 2011-07-26 8:36

Hello Gert
I had no idea that this tortoise shell like structure was a bunker and that too with the ying & yang design. How did people get into these? This one looks quite different from the WS bunkers. Like the pier in the BG and the colours. A very interesting picture..learnt something new today, as I do from almost all your pictures
Best Regards
Angshu

Disabled_A (0) 2011-07-26 13:32

Hello Gert,
I thought I had already expressed my opinion about this photo!
You chose a very good POV, with this bunker in the FG. Interesting sight. Unusual, I'd say!

As always, I read your Notes to photos with much interest. So, this is a bunker in the FG!.. but, strange as it might seem, I can't get rid of the impression that I see the cap of a gigantic mushroom :)) - a cap with the famous Chinese symbol on it :)

kind regards,
Elena

jafadabret (56501) 2011-07-27 10:34

Bonjour Gert,
Chaque fois les dictatures mobilisent les peuples en leur faisant croire qu'ils vont кtre attaquйs, et souvent зa fonctionne. La photo est trиs agrйable mкme avec ce gros "caillou" du premier plan.
Amicalement
Jacques

ptiza (727) 2011-07-28 6:31

Hello Gert,
I drew attention to the symbol "yin-yang," and that it is a bunker, I learned only from your notes. I think it gives hope to believe the best. Very interesting landscape. Well done photo. TFS!
best regards,
Irena

ellelloo (6572) 2011-08-13 23:36

Hej Gert,
An interesting contribution combining the past history of Albania and a modern pier in a holiday resort. Beautiful photo with a good composition and pleasant colours. One could not guess the concrete thing here is a bunker without your explanation. Thanks for the WS too.
Hдlsningar,
Lasse

Miguel82 (47110) 2013-05-15 9:20

Magnific lake Gert,
Fine colors, excellent sharpness and exposition
Superb spot close to Macedonia border, I like the yingyang sign on the rock
Bye!

ourania (51103) 2013-07-23 10:27

Hello Gert,
the bunkers are really ugly and disturbing, I don't know whether the people who see them regularly are affected by the memories and attitudes they represent. Children playing by the sea must have found a use for this one. I wonder about the strategic placement of this as well as of the bunkers in the workshop picture. This is a very well composed, interesting and melancholic picture. The sky and colours are moody, the empty structure in the background enhances the melancholic mood. A simple but very strong image. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a lovely evening,
Ourania

PiotrF (54538) 2017-06-07 16:22

Hello Gert
Interesting place, in WS pictures of bunkers..
I like good composition here. Perspective and depth are excellent taken.
Good work, fine presentation
Regards
Piotr

Yunemus (83) 2019-07-05 11:33

Those bunkers are very paranoiac idea.. And very ugly.
Anyway nice photo. Thank you for sharing with us.

ikeharel (113241) 2020-12-14 2:52

Bunkers on the WS make reason for the note with the explanation, Gert.
Anyway, it is good that the bunkers are in no use, and beach facilities built instred.
This spot is a lovely place for children, grown-ups as well that may enjoy water fun.
Good afternoon,
Ike

*** You have other birds in Sweden, and learnt that in some places even a dear or a ram can come close to one's door-step. Thanks.