In 1997 Albania was facing a terrible unrest/civil war caused by the loss of $1.2 billion after the collapse of various pyramid schemes. Around 25 companies went bankrupt. In the end more than 1,000 (some sources say 2,000) people have lost their life. With the help of the United Nations and soldiers of eight countries, it was possible to evacuate people and restore order and rule of law.
At the end of 1999, the big Peace Bell monument was erected in Tirana. Children of Zadrima and the surrounding area collected more than 20,000 shell casings, that were melted and used for this bell. The bell is hung on a metal construction over a fountain, that can be crossed on a pathway with the bell in the middle of it. An inscription on the floor informs about the name of the monument:
Peace Bell
An initiative of Zadrima children
This monument was realized by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports
1 January 2000
Pope John Paul II blessed the bell and it rang for the first time on Jan, 1st 2000. Next to the Peace Bell there is a concrete wall with two plaques. The smaller one on the left says:
I was born from cartridges and I will sing about the Albanian peace in the third Millennium
01 01 2000
The other one on the right says:
In 1997, Albania experienced a deep crisis that brought violence and destruction. The children of Zadrima raised their determined voices demanding legitimacy and peace. This bell with its sound is still the voice of all Albanian children who are committed to their future with high ideals.
Remark: The lack of any full stops in the text makes translation difficult. So if a native speaker has a better translation, let me know.
What a good way to start a new millennium!