In the premises of the Municipality of Tirana, through a short-wave station set up in Laprakë, the first radio broadcasts in Albania, via radio “Tirana“, began. The first director of “Tirana” radio was publicist Gjergj Bubani. It was broadcast daily from 13:00-14:00 and from 19:00-20:45. Until 1950, 7 and a half hours of program were given in Albanian and 4 hours in foreign languages. In 1952, Kashar’s new short and medium wave radio station was put into operation. Next to “Tirana” radio, the first local radio station was established in Korça (1941), in 1945 “Shkodra” radio and “Gjirokastra” radio were built, and in 1959 “Kukësi” radio. In 1962, the symphony orchestra was created and the 1st Song Festival took place, which turned into an annual event. In 1965, broadcasts began from the current building of radio “Tirana” and its archive was strengthened. Around the years 1970-1980, powerful broadcasting stations were built in Shijak, Fllakë, Cërrik, etc. In 1989, radio “Tirana” broadcast 128 hours a day with programs in different times, for listeners inside the country, compatriots and in 17 foreign languages. After 1990, radio “Tirana” was reformed as a free media with an informative, educational and entertaining character. (In the photo: The “Tirana” radio building taken by the partisans, on November 17, 1944.)
Text: Albanian encyclopedic dictionary – Vol. 3 , Academy of Sciences of Albania, “Kristalina-KH”, Tirana, 2009, page 2195.
Photo: © Central State Archives
Graphic processing: AHCF
