Kristaq Rama


Kristaq Rama was an Albanian sculptor, art educator and a member of the Politburo in Communist Albania under Enver Hoxha's rule.

Early life and education

He was born in Durrës.
Rama graduated from the Artistic Lyceum "Jordan Misja", in the Department of Fine Arts in 1951, and three years later left Albania to study in Leningrad, Soviet Union.

Career

After graduation, he returned to Albania, where he worked in Tirana, primarily as superintendent of fine arts at the Albanian Ministry of Culture, and at the same time taught as an external lecturer at the Higher Institute of Arts of Tirana.

Works

As a sculptor, Rama created several busts of warriors, people portraits, female sculptures, as well as other decorations.

Implication with communist dictatorship crimes

In August 1988, Rama signed along with Ramiz Alia and others documents for the death penalty of poet Havzi Nela by hanging. Other documents show that Rama signed for the death penalty for Enver Osmani, a 29-year-old from Dibra.

Personal life

He is the father of Edi Rama, president of the Socialist Party of Albania and Prime Minister of Albania, also several times former mayor of Tirana city.
Rama died on July 30, 1998, aged 66, after suffering a heart attack, in his hometown of Tirana.