Anyone who sees his youth photos, today it is impossible to believe that he was an Albanian boy from the '60s-'70s! It is easier to believe that he is a film actor. By profession a physical education teacher, Beb Daliu was one of the charming boys of Tirana, one of those who gave fame to that street. A special type, with a beautiful, elegant body, he stood out for his clothing of the time, a real "playboy". Admirer of Alen Delon, passionate about motorcycles, Beb Daliu would become another reason why young people started to frequent that street. Today, many years later, Bebi goes back in time by telling us the "secrets" of the Albanian "Broadway". Regarding these etc., he introduces us to his exclusive interview that we are publishing below in this article.

Mr. Daliu, how did you get involved with that road?

It was quite by chance that it was the early 60s when someone brought a photo of “Broadway” to New York. We had just started to frequent “Rruga e Dibra”, as it was a central street with movement, shops and lights, which gave it life, usually in the evenings up to the intersection with “Rruga e Barricadeve”. There were no famous theaters, but the presence of the Opera Theater and the Song and Dance Ensemble seemed to bring us a little closer to the history of the American street.

Who were her frequenters?

We were some friends, such as: V. Rusi, H. Shehu, G. Galanxhi, A. Golemi, M. Oseku, B. Dedja, F. Rroku, the Xhilaga brothers, L. Radovicka, M. Konomi, L. Bungo, B. Tabaku, etc., who started meeting there every evening. One of them was Dylber Vrioni, a well-known intellectual. I also remember Dash Shehi, Spartak Ngjela, Baminir Topi, who, although younger, stayed with us. All students at faculties, or graduates.

What was discussed, how did "Broadway" report the events?

Going out, staying, and talking at "Broadway" were linked to the desire, preferences for openness, connections with the West in fashion, music, sports, everything. Every event was experienced at "Broadway", both in Albania and abroad. Information received from "Voice of America", foreign radio stations, or the few televisions that existed before the 70s, spread very quickly in the evening, being commented on in detail.

We remember the assassination of Kennedy in November '63, the famous Kissinger-Mao Ze Dun meeting in October '71 and Nixon's trip to China. But we also followed the launch of the Apollo 11 spacecraft on "Rai", the moment when Armstrong first stepped on the moon. It was July '69, wasn't it? Then the events of Albanian politics, such as the tense situations after the events in Prague in '68, the '70s when there was thought and hope for openness, and then disappointment, isolation and closure without return.

What about artistic events?

I remember when Otis Redding and Louis Armstrong died. In fact, for the latter there was a kind of silence on “Broadway” and for this event I remember Tuç Zyma, the doctor's son, very passionate, extraordinary. Likewise the breakup of “The Beatles”, or when Celentano won “Sanremo” with “Chi non lavora, non fa l'amore” in '71, which was discussed not only on “Broadway”, but also in Albanian political-artistic circles, after an article in “Zëri i Popullit”. Of course, on “Broadway” every musical trend of the time, singers, were commented on.

From Modunyo, Don Baki, Charles Aznavour, “The Rolling Stones”, to the Americans, Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, etc. There was also no shortage of preferences for the great actors of the time, S. McQueen, Sophia Loren, Claudia Cardinale, Steve Reeves, Marlon Brando, Marcello Mastroianni, Jean Paul Belmondo, Jean Marais. After the screening of the film “Last Tango in Paris”, directed by Bertolucci, with Brando and Maria Schneider, the comments on “Broadway” were endless.

We saw him recently on a Yugoslav television channel. But Alain Delon was the favorite of all the boys and girls of “Broadway”. We waited and followed his films with passion, such as “Rock and His Brothers” etc., and we even liked to imitate him.

Were there girls who appeared on Broadway?

Those from elite families, mainly high school students and students, began to frequent the “Broduej” exit and in the evening they would pass by there, but without staying. Such were I. Zyma, I. Herri, L. Preza, L. Këllezi, H. Këllezi…! They were modern, beautiful and intelligent girls. Over the years, attendance increased, in winter, bad weather, cold rain or, summer evenings, passing once by “Broduej” became a preferential ritual. We all knew each other. But, that beautiful saleswoman with sky-blue eyes at the flower shop, I would consider one of the first female “Broduejists”.

Was it frequented by artists and athletes?

Being in the center, the street offered contacts with artists and athletes, and the main events of those years were quickly followed at “Broadway”. Of course, you could find the soloists of the Opera Theater, the dancers of the Ensemble there after the performances. Even the festivals, their singers, their composers, Agim Krajka, Sherif Merdani, were part of the street. But the choreographer, the renowned master Panajot Kanaçi, was one of its special characters. Speaking five languages, he had great culture and was an admirer of “Broadway”.

Then others, Bujar Kapexhiu, Saimir Kumbaro, Lionel Konomi, as well as well-known athletes Skënder Hyka, a footballer of “November 17”, Gavrosh Lëvonja, Piro Koleka, Ardian Fullani. Their contact with the world, then their arrival at “Broduej” gave them a different atmosphere and a Western hope on the way. I remember George Best, who was kept in Rinas, to have his hair cut, the arrival of West Germany with Beckenbauer, Overat, Müller, Oransoda with two Americans and the Dutch of Ajax with a style of clothing, appearance, just as we preferred them.

In "Broadway" we watched Serie A, Inter, Mazzola, Boninsenja or Milan of Rivera, of which I am a fan, the English championship. But, what I do not forget are the boxing challenges Benvenuti-Monzon and Clay Foreman. Especially the latter.. It was October 30, 1974, Tuesday, at 04:00 in the morning we saw it on Italian television. The next evening, everyone in "Broadway" to comment. We were Clay fans, he won in the eighth round...

Kadare lived nearby, did he often go there?

The literature of the time, favorite books and authors, but also banned ones, circulated secretly, and these were even the years when there was thought of openness and hope was great, which we felt while attending the long-awaited evenings at “Broadway”. A great signal was given to us by the publication of the book “The Winter of Great Loneliness” in 1972, where Kadare talks about the Albanian “Broadway”, signaling the beginning of a liberalism and freedom of thought, although it was later given for reprinting for changes, but Kadare did not touch the “Broadway” part.

Having his house there, he and Elena spent almost every evening there. But the film “Silent Duel” was also a message of hope for everyone. The fact that they showed the film, as well as the acting of Ndrek Luca, Reshat Arbana, or Bujar Kapexhiu, in an attempt to cross over to the West, excited the imagination and dream to the extreme.

Could it be called a "romantic" road?

“Broadway” was frequented by a select elite of Tirana, a group of young people, boys and girls, who for the time reflected an advanced mentality. “Broadway” was very sentimental and romantic, when in the rain, with an umbrella, under a tree, or in the evening full of lights, you would wait for someone or find them where glances would cross, after which the most sensational loves of Tirana would explode.

But also the singers Justina Aliaj, Ferdinand Radi, Vaçe Zela, Bashkim Alibali, Dorian Nini with their songs; “Today I am 20 years old”, “Lemza”, as well as the song “Rruga e Dibrës”, which Sherif Merdani sang at the festival, brought enthusiasm. Then, the passion for motorcycles has been great for us, as a means of giving freedom. The film “The Great Escape”, with actor Steve McQueen, became the impetus. Not only for me, but also for some friends, like Tim Xhilaga, the brothers, the sons of the famous doctor, Nand and Tuc Zyma.

That's where the fashion center was too...?

The latest clothing and accessories were demonstrated with pleasure, and the narrow street leading to the Bonboneria served as a fashion parade. Some brought them from abroad, some bought them at the currency exchange or at the consignment shop, as well as athletes and artists who had the opportunity to go out and bring clothes that were preferred for the time. On “Broadway” the “blue jeans”, or cowboy pants, were seen for the first time, a model that came from the “Western” films, with the actor Clint Eastwood.

Tim Xhilaga even made a pair of such gray-colored docks, quite extravagant: 24 cm narrow at the knee and more than 30 cm at the feet. Even leaving long hair, thick pigtails, were very popular. We imitated famous actors, especially Hollywood ones.

Did the children of "The Block" come to "Broadway"?

They were a great hope for us. They attended it regularly, although they avoided the stands, but they would spend almost every evening there. Being children of the “Blloku” or the Bureau and at the same time “Broadway” was an important signal for us. I will remember Agim Muftiu, Spartak Ngjelë, or some very modern girls from these families who spent time at “Broadway”.

This showed that even though their parents and family members were officials, they were against that ideology, showing it with behavior that we liked and gave us hope. Even Fatos Lubonja, a charming, modern boy, preferred to go to “Flora” to “Broadway”. While for politicians of the time, it was out of the question to go to “Broadway”…!

Why and how was this road "hit"?

After January 73, along with the blow that the 11th Radio-Television Festival received, and the tension of the situation in the arts, “Broadway” was also “hit”. Not that they didn’t know that “Broadway” was a street of dissidence, where young people with Western preferences stayed, but like the others, the moment came to hit it too. The situation became more difficult, after youth groups appeared, which banned any young person with a tendency towards fashion, lightning bolts exploded in workplaces, schools and “Broadway” began to be systematically not frequented.

You lived on Tirana's "Broadway", but have you seen the real one?

I have been to New York several times to follow my son Bruno, a student and basketball player when he played there. The first time I went down, I asked my friends: Come with me, I want to see "Broadway". I was amazed. This has prompted me to name one of my activities "Broadway". Meanwhile, I no longer pass by the famous street. I am overwhelmed with sadness, as I see it transformed, destroyed and abandoned, the one to which we gave everything from our youth. I cherish the memories, the friends and only nostalgia is left to me./ Memorie.al