Albania gave him love, he gave it freedom – The ambassador who loved Albania until the end passes away in Tirana

Werner Daum, former German ambassador to Albania, passed away at the age of 82 while visiting the country he always held close to his heart. He was found lifeless in his hotel room just days after attending a memorial ceremony for Josif Budo, a martyr of democracy, in Kavajë.

Daum served as ambassador in Tirana from 1987 to 1990, during one of the most difficult yet historic periods for Albania. Known for his courageous stance, he opened the doors of the German embassy to hundreds of Albanian citizens seeking to escape the communist regime. This act went against official orders from his government, but he undertook it firmly believing he was acting in the interest of the people and freedom.

In a later interview, he explained that he acted with full awareness, convinced that a wave of escapes would accelerate the fall of the dictatorship. He described that time as the birth of freedom in Albania, a change that, in his view, came not from outside forces but from the Albanians themselves—especially the youth and intellectuals.

During his last visit to Kavajë, Daum was honored with a certificate of appreciation by the mayor, Fisnik Qosja, recognizing his historic contribution in 1990. He recalled being in Albania until July of that year when the German embassy closed and was physically dismantled, leaving behind a strong symbol of hope and liberty.

Daum also spoke with respect about the writer Ismail Kadare, whom he regarded as a symbol of free spirit, and recalled that he himself was monitored by authorities due to his meetings with Kadare.

After leaving Albania, Daum continued to promote Albanian culture in Germany and Austria. In 2001, he organized a major exhibition in Munich and later Vienna, featuring traditional artifacts, icons, and scenes from Albanian life. The exhibition attracted over 32,000 visitors and served as a window into Albania’s cultural heritage.

Werner Daum departed in the land he considered his second homeland, leaving behind a rare legacy of humanism and courage in the service of freedom.

“KORÇA BOOM”