The heritage-making of sites of trauma in political transition: the case of the former prison and forced labour camp of Spaç, in Albania

This article examines the heritage-making of sites of trauma in periods of political transition through a framework of process analysis that considers four aspects: how the site is positioned in the collective imaginary; what agencies of transformation are at play; how the interpretation and significance of the site evolve over time; and how the physical preservation of the site affects heritage-making. These questions were explored considering the case of the former prison and forced labour camp of Spaç in Albania, examined through an oral history approach aimed at reconstructing the site’s heritage-making through first-hand accounts, personal stories, and memories. 21 people were interviewed, including former political prisoners, members of NGOs, institutional representatives, researchers, artists and tourism operators. The findings suggest that the case reflects the wider complexities of post-totalitarian heritage work: the establishment of Spaç as a heritage site is not understood as a complete achievement, but as an ongoing process in which actors from civil society and autonomous institutions are committed to maintaining engagement until formal responsibility is assumed by state institutions. Evidence also suggests that the heritage-making of Spaç has challenged the authorised heritage discourse in Albania, broadening the understanding of what constitutes heritage in the country.