Kacinar Profile

KAÇINAR COMMUNE PROFILE

Kaçinar Commune, Mirditë, Albania Tel: 0216 29903 E-mail: komunakacinar@yahoo.com

Rr. “Zenel Baboçi”, Pll.37/1, Sh.2, Ap 20, Tiranë, Albania P.o. Box 7451 - Tel: (04 2229077) - Mob: 06920421190 E-mail: info@cangoalbania.org - Web: www.cangoalbania.org

Kaçin

Kaçinar

Kaçinar

N W

E S

KUKËS PUKË

SHKODËR

Publisher: Qëndra për Bashkëpunim ndërmjet Komuniteteve, Autoriteteve Lokale dhe OJF-ve

Klos

Rr. “Zenel Baboçi”, Pll.37/1, Sh.2, Ap 20 Tiranë, Shqipëri P.o. Box 7451 Tel: 04 2229077 Mob: 06920421190 E-mail: info@cangoalbania.org Web: www.cangoalbania.org

Kaçinar LEZHË Rubik

Reps

MIRDITË Rëshen

Kurbnesh

Perlat Qendër

Graphic Design: Studio “Tartari” Printed: Gentgrafik Edition: 250 Kopje All rights reserved. The contents of this booklet may be freely used for non profitable intentions, provided each reproduction acknowledges CANGO as copyrighter.

LAÇ BURREL

KRUJË DURRËS

PESHKOPI

KAÇINAR COMMUNE PROFILE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Centre for Collaboration between Communities, Local Authorities & NGO-s

Page

I-

Acknowledgments

3

II-

Background

4

III-

Religion

6

IV-

Geographical Description

8

V-

Climate

10

VI-

Natural Resources

11

VII-

Demography

15

VIII-

Infrastructure

17

IX-

Agriculture and Stockbreeding

18

X-

Economic Development

19

XI-

Education

21

XII-

Health service

22

XIII-

Culture and Tradition

23

XIV-

Local Government

27

XV-

Relations with Donors

24

This publication was supported by CANGO with fonds from CAFOD UK Catholis Agency of England and Wales for Oversas Development

Acknowledgments

Centre for Collaboration between Communities, Local Authorities & NGO-s

Acknowledgments The Center for Collaboration between Communities, Authorities and NGOs (CANGO) would like to thank all the professionals involved in the preparation of this Profile for their valuable assistance. Without their help and support it would have been impossible to gather all the necessary information for this publication.

We would like to express our gratitude to the representatives of the Commune of Kaรงinar, in particular to Mayor Kastriot Ndoji, for their fruitful collaboration and data gathering.

Thanks are also due to our consultants Artan Rroji from Urban International Associates (UIA) who led the working group for the drafting of this Profile and Lindita Oshafi for her enlightening discussions and feedback, in particular for her input and review of the draft Profile.

Finally, the findings of this document are the views of the representatives of the Commune of Kaรงinar and CANGO and do not necessarily reflect the position of CAFOD UK which funded the work for the development and publication of this document.

November 2008

2 I Kaรงinar Commune Profile

Dear reader,

Foreword

Kaçinar

I. Foreword

we are pleased to present hereby our Commune’s profile which summarizes the history, the current situation and the perspectives of Kaçinar. This booklet was prepared along with the Stra-

tegic Plan for the Economic Development of Kaçinar Commune

which integrates long and short-term development priorities with each other as well as with various projects to be implemented or already under implementation in our villages.

Kaçinar Mayor

Local governance benefits citizens when it is based on a strategic vision and plan designed in consultations with all interested stakeholders.

This profile and the Strategic Plan were dealt with as priorities as they are very important strategic

documents. The Plan shall serve as a constitution that will govern all development policies. Both the documents are fruit of a long process of discussions and consultations with prominent intellectuals, local government staff, community members, interest groups and individuals interested in the development of Kaçinar.

I would like to thank the task force involved in the design of the profile and of the Strategic plan for the Development of the Commune. Without their contribution, this work would not have been feasible.

In my name and on behalf of all the stakeholders in this project, I would like to also express my gratitude to the staff and experts of the non-governmental organization CANGO who invested their expertise and funds for this publication.

Kastriot Ndoji Mayor of Kaçinar

Kaçinar Commune Profile I

3

Background

II-

K

Background

Kaçinar commune has seven villages: Shtuf, Arrëz, Kaçinar and Shëngjergj, which once were part of the Dibra bayrak1; Simon and Kuzhnen of the Kuzhnen bayrak; and Shpërdhaza with inhabitants of different origins. It formerly included also Bukmira.

Originally Kaçinar was a village with old neighbourhoods; later on it gradually started to have the traits of a Mirdita microregion.

Both in old and new administrative divisions, Kaçinar has always been a center: parish center, zone center, agricultural cooperative center, center of the United People’s Council and commune center. In the 30’s

Simon used to be commune center and for awhile played the role of a locality. Kuzhnen has been center of the same-name bayrak.

Though belonging to different bayraks (Kuzhnen, Dibër, Orosh), the inhabitants of Kaçinar are all Mirditors, hence they share the same customs and traditions, the same lifestyle and

Museun items 1. Bayrak – old administrative-military division

4 I Kaçinar Commune Profile

Archaelogical objects

spiritual values, with only minor differences.

Archaeologists, historians, scholars and celebrities who have over the years visited the region hold that Kaçinar subregion is a dwelling place dating back to before the Christ. Archeological findings, historical records on religious objects, citadels and many toponyms evince its antiquity.

documents, museum and archeological archives, books and other valuable publications bear witness to the antiquity of Kaçinar. The whole administrative unit Kaçinar belonged to, was named after it.

In the year 1972, the mine of Kaçinar became an industrial area and a small town of miners. As a result, infrastructure and services (schools, postal services, shops, dental clinics, pharmacies and communal utilities) developed.

Local Architecture

Background

Kaçinar

The name Kaçinar derives from a kind of plane-tree called çinar, now preserved as a nature monument. In the past, when someone arrived in Kaçinar, people there were wont to ask him whether he had passed along the «upper path» or «çinar’s path». This is how the commune’s toponym came into being and the people living between the upper course of Shpërdhaza and its intersection with Big Fan river were called Kaçinaras. This term appears in Turkish administration documents of 1467, and latter on in documents of 1516. Many

As from 1992, Kaçinar is a commune and one of the seven administrative units of Mirdita, with approximately 4100 inhabitants.

Plane tree, Kaçinar center

Kaçinar Commune Profile I

5

Religion

III-

K

Religion

Kaçinar is an ancient religious place. Many religious objects, shrines and catholic toponims testify to this. In Meshurdh, Zhonëz and Shpërdhazë one can still see remains of old catholic churches. Toponims such as Kishëz (Chapel), Kodër Kishë (Church Hill) are further testimony of this area’s Catholicism.

Church Simon

6 I Kaçinar Commune Profile

Prend Brunga, Father Ambroz Marlaska, Dom Nikoll Perlaska, Dom Mark Shtufi and Dom Zef Shtufi, have played an important role not only in religion but also in politics, history, literature, linguistics and in the national cause.

Dom Zef Gjinali, as presented in the study of writer Ndue Dedaj, was the first Mirdita parish priest ordanied bishop and awhile served as abbot of the Orosh abbey. Father Ambroz Marlaska, from the village of Kuzhnen, was both a devout Catholic missionary and a famous scholar of philosophy, history and linguistics.

He became rector of the University of Rome and in the 20’s was member of the Albanian Parliament. The last parish priest serving in Kaçinar was Dom Prend Qafalia. In 1967, along with oth-

Parish Priest’s house

Religion

Kaçinar

Archaelogical excavations in Meshurdh, near Simon village, and subsequent researches and studies show that life there used to be dynamic and religion consolidated. According not only to hearsay but also to Vatican documents, the oldest church there dates back to 1200. Therefore it is one of the oldest religious institutions in Mirdita and beyond.

The year 1461 inscribed on the Kaçinar’s parish church bell donated by the Vatican, further attests to an ancient religious civilization. In historical documents mention is also made of the church of Shëngjergj and the school of Jesuits.

Renowned clerics from this area, such as Dom Zef Gjinali, Dom

er clerics, he was condemend by the communist regime.

Religious activities resumed in 1990, after the downfall of communism. Dom Simon Jubani was the first priest to say Mass in Kaçinar and took good care of the spiritual revival of his parishoners.

Church Simon

Kaçinar Commune Profile I

7

Geographical Description

IV- Geographical Description

K

Kaçinar lies on a broken multiform terrain made up of valleys, gorges, slopes, lakes, torrents, rivers, meadows, fields, pastures and rocks. The villages of Kaçinar, Simon, Shtuf and Shpërdhazë are in the low part, whereas Shëngjergj, Arrëza and Kuzhnen are on the hilly-mountain part. To prevent erosion, new forests have been planted and dikes constructed in the hills. Forests and pastures occupy the largest part of the area.

Intersection of Shtuf and Arrëz torrents

8 I Kaçinar Commune Profile

rëz uphill to Shpërdhazë, Bukmirë and Cekaj; in the east with Small Kuzhnen (Voza), Fan i Madh and Pëshqesh.

Administratively, Kaçinar borders with Puka Highland in the north, with Rrëshen Municipality in the south, with Orosh Commune in the east, with Ungrej Commune in the west; with Ungrej and Vrith in the northwest; with Rëshen Municipality in the south-west; with Rrëshen Municipality and Orosh Commune in the south-east.

Geographical Description

ed vegetation as well as fauna have propitious conditions for development.

Kaçinar borders with Orosh, Gjegjan, Puka Highland, Vela and Ndërfan. Its northern part is the dividing border between Mirdita and Puka. Kaçinar is also connected with other administrative units, such as Rrëshen Municipality and Orosh, Gjegjan and Ungrej communes.

Geographically, Kaçinar borders in the north with the Meadow of Hamza and the upper course of Gjadër river; in the west with the Kaziu Torrent, as well as Kaluer and Pacaj neighborhoods; in the south with the Col of Vor-

Kaçinar

Shtuf and Arrëz torrents flow throgh Kaçinar respectively in its west and east. Shtuf torrent forms a really interesting waterfall. At Ndredi’s bridge both the torrents join the Shpërdhazë river which, along its course, is also joined by torrents, becoming thus the main water-collector in the area. Many torrents (Zhurr, Veroz, etc.) and rivers (Gjadër, Lumagjin, etc.) spring from the Kaçinar Highland,

The lowest quota, 200 metres above the sea level, is at the intersection of Shpërdhazë river with Big Fan river; the highest, 1401 above the sea-level, in the north, at the Mishilor Summit.

That is why natural and cultivat-

Kaçinar neighbourhood, Foilet

Kaçinar Commune Profile I

9

Climate

V-

K

Climate

Kaçinar belongs to the paramountain mediterranean zone. The Big Fan valley and its opening southwestwards have a great impact on its climate. The warm winds blowing along the valley create climate equilibriums which bring about the growth of vegetation all through the year, especially the growth of the Mediterranean scrub.

Vorra Col

Mountain stones

Average annual temperatures fluctuate between 10 and 110C. The winter is generally cold and lasts up to 90 days, with under zero temperatures reaching to minus 18°C. The coldest winters on record are that of 1963 as regards the ice and that of 1985 as regards the snow thickness. The snow thickness varies from 20cm to 1m. The water starts to melt away from April 15 onwards. Strong and cold winds blowing mainly from the east, north and north-east do not prevent the vegetations of all kinds (wild plants, fruit and olive trees) from growing all through the year.

In 1953, a metereological station was set up in Simon. It has simple equipment and furnishes data to the Tirana Metereologocal Station.

10 I Kaçinar Commune Profile

Th

The highlands of Kaçinar and Kuzhnen are the flattest and richest areas in Mirdita and all Northern

Natural Resources

Kaçinar

VI- Natural Resources

Albania. They abound in forests and and tablelands such as Big Laja and Small Laja.

Pine forest, Shëngjergj

View, Kaçinar

Flora and Fauna Vegetation in Kaçinar thrives thanks to the favourable climate and terrain conditions. There grow all sorts of vegetation belts which hither and thither intertwine together. In the south, south-west and south-east, the scrub and holm belt together with some hetero-oil plants occupy almost three-quarters of the land covered with vegetation. In the mountain belt there are shrubs, medicinal and hetero oily plants. Sumach, savory and thyme occupy a considerable area and until the 90’s a great part of the revenues were generated from them. The scrub mountain belt is green all through the year.

Kaçinar Commune Profile I

11

Natural Resources

There grows the strawberry tree whose fruit is used for the production of raki consumed locally and successfully sold.

The thickets house a rich fauna. The fox, hare, jackal, boar and roe can be found in all vegetation belts and this makes the area attractive for hunting.

Communal and state forests occupy respectively 5985 and 6000 ha areas. The Highlands of Kaรงinar and Kuzhnen have conifers and beech trees. There grows the bilberry, a rare hetero-oily plant. The center of the Commune is not so rich in vegetation. It has only pines and acacias planted by the area inhabitants and the forest enterprise. Therefore it is necessary to plant other trees.

2. raki - Albanian brandy

Mine, Kaรงinar

12 I Kaรงinar Commune Profile

Kaçinari’s basement is made up of intrusive and effusive rocks. They are mostly covered by scrappy clay packages and other sedimentary and magmatic rocks.

A number of zones have ultrabasic and basic rocks, but the most peculiar are those of Mollëz. Very compact magmatic, troctolite and gabro rocks can be found in Arrëz and Kuzhnen. They are mostly of medium resistance, but there are also of high resistance. The solidity coefficent varies from medium in ultrabasics to high in troctolites and gabros.

Their friability coefficent, the elasticity and mollification module make them fit construction materials, mainly as decorative stones for coating. At present, workable reserves amount to around 40 milion ton.

The first archeologic expeditions in the Kaçinar area were made

by Franc Nopça in 1905-1907, mainly for coloured minerals, since its seems that the local inhabitants have constructed ovens to melt copper from ancient times, perhaps since the late neolyth. In 1958 Russian specialists made intensive researches and performed excavations in Qaf-Vorrëz. The Rubik geology

Stones, Mollëz

Natural Resources

Kaçinar

Minerals

specialists resumed researches in 1966 and in 1967. They first expedition with 7-8 drills. After 3 years they drew the conclusion that there were coper reserves for 20 years.

Research expeditions for copper, gold, asbestos have also been made in Cekaj Gjazhdë, Gjazuj, Rrebiqe, Beqiraj, Ndredi bridge, Arrëz and Shtuf.

In the last years Kaçinar has aroused interest not only for its copper, asbestos and gold reserves but also for metalors such as decoration stones, clays, silicons. In the 80’s silicon was broadly used for coper melting metallurgy needs.

Torrent, Arrëz

Kaçinar Commune Profile I

13

Natural Resources

Water Network and Hydrography

K

Kaçinar has a rich hydrographic natural network made up of water-collectors,

rivers,

tor-

rents and streams flowing nordsouthwards. Their waters never fail, but are abundant mainly in autumn, winter and spring.

Shtufi torrent in the upper part ramifies into two branches: Bena torrent and Sharra torrent. Its waters are used for irrigation. There are also other torrents: those of Arrëz, Beqiraj, Plakza, Gur i Zi and of the Simon school called also the Gjashët torrent. At some point of their course they join together forming the Shpërdhazë river. It meanders across a deep and narrow valley until it joins with Big Fan river. Its water regime varies from 64.8 m/sec in the humid season to 7.7 m/sek flow in the dry season. All these waters, through irrigation channels, irrigate almost the whole cultivable land of Simon, Kuzhnen, Shpërdhazë, Arrëz and Kaçinar.

Canyon, Shtuf River

14 I Kaçinar Commune Profile

Shpërdhazë River

A water-collector of 60 ha irrigation capacity was constructed in Shëngjergj before the 90’s. Kaçinar’s hydrographic network can also be used for the production of pure electrical power. Waters flow all over the year because the highlands of Kaçinar and Kuzhnen are covered with snow for more than 3-4 months.

K

Demography

Kaçinar

VII- Demography

From the ancient times to this day, Kaçinar has been uninterruptedly inhabited. Part of the population has very early emigrated in the sorrounding area. Kaçinar, Simon and Kuzhnen are family names in

the area of Lezhë and Kurbin, a fact that proves such a movement. But the opposite phenomenon has

also taken place since poeple from other areas, such as from the Plain of Dukagjin etc., have arrived and settled down in Kaçinar.

The local population has not been affected by the Turkish-Slavic occupations. Ethnically, the population is entirely of Albanian nationality.

Before the 1990-s there were no migration movements. But afterwards movement became a norm as people started to leave for other parts of the country or abroad. Most of them settled in lowland cities: Lezhë, Tiranë, Durrës, Shkodër and only a few of them moved to the south. Many young poeple have gone abroad hoping to improve their living conditions.

As a result of migration, emigration and the current low birth rate, the average age in the area has gone up. In the low birth rate the new family-planning mentallity has also its share. After the 90’s, 51% of the population are males, 49% females.

Table no. 1 Population’s Development Trend over years Nr

Year

Inhabitants

Male

%

Females

%

Number of families

1

1990

4,998

2,070

51.7

1,928

48.3

917

2

1995

4,632

2,364

51

2,268

49

1,140

3

1998

3,618

1,879

51.9

1,739

48.1

905

4

2000

3,487

1,817

52

1,670

48

843

5

2004

3,294

1,667

50.6

1,627

49.4

763

6

2005

3,015

1,543

51

1,474

49

531

7

2006

2,601

13,019

50.3

1,292

49.7

464

8

2007

2,323

1,202

51.7

1,121

48.3

428

Source: Kaçinar Commune Community gatherin, Kaçinar

Kaçinar Commune Profile I

15

Demography

Chart no.1 Population Structure by village Shpërdhazë 10%

Kaçinar 16%

Shëngjergj 13%

Simon 22%

Shtuf 9% Kuzhnen 10%

Arrëz 20%

Table no 2. Number of Inhabitants by village

Tabela no. 3 Population Indicators

Villages

Total

Females

Malesj

Number of Families

Kaçinar

390

191

189

Simon

513

260

253

Arrëz

500

259

Kuzhnen

254

103

Shtuf

226

Shengjergj

326

Shpërdhazë Total

Families

Inhabitants

No

Village

70

1

Kaçinar

70

390

99

2

Simon

99

513

241

96

3

Arrëz

96

500

151

48

4

Kuzhnen

48

254

103

123

62

5

Shtuf

62

226

154

172

52

6

Shëngjergj

52

326

7

Shpërdhazë

58

252

252

111

141

58

2,451

1,181

1,270

485

Source: Kaçinar Commune

16 I Kaçinar Commune Profile

Source: Kaçinar Commune

Commune

1990

917

2005

485

1990

2005

2461 Source: Kaçinar Commune

Infrastructure

Kaçinar

VIII- Infrastructure

Kaçinar connects with the Milot-Kukës national thoroughfare at the road above Ndërfushas village, 2 km far from the Big Fanit bridge. The commune center is connected with the villages under its jurisdiction through byroads.

Table No 4. Kaçinar commune road network structure

Tabela nr.5 Struktura e rrjetit rrugor 2007

No

Road

1

Kaçinar-Kuzhnen

Length (km) 6.5

2

Kaçinar-Arrëz

2.3

3

Kaçinar-Shtuf

3

4

Simon-Shpërdhazë

3.5

5

Qafë-Vorrëz-Shëngjergj

4.5

6

Arrëz-Lajë

4

7

Arrëz – Bjeshkë

4

8

Shëngjergj – Kalur

9

No

Road name Bukmirë –Kaçinar

1

Kaçinar –Arrëz

2

Length km

Cover

13

Chippings + pavement

4

Chippings + pavement

4.5

Pavement

4

Pavement

5

Pavement

4

Pavement

3

Pavement

5

Pavement

4

Pavement

3

Kaçinar – Shëngjergj

4

Simon – Shpërdhazë

5

Arrëz – Shegjan

3.8

6

Kaçinar – Shtuf

Bukmirë - Shpërdhazë

3.2

7

Bukmirë –Shpërdhazë

10

Arrëz – Qafë-Logu

3.3

8

Arrëz - Bjeshkë

11

Simon –L.Preçaj

2

9

Arrëz – Bjeshkë

10

Shëngjergj – Kalur

3.8

Pavement

11

Bukmirë - Shpërdhazë

3.2

Pavement

12

Arrez – Qafë-Log

3.3

Pavement

13

Simon –L.Preçaj

2

Pavement

Source: Kaçinar Commune

Source: Kaçinar Commune

Ndredi Bridge

Road network

Road network

Kaçinar Commune Profile I

17

Agriculture and Stockbreeding

Supply with electrical power

Bridges

Kaçinar Commune is supplied with electrical power through a high tension line of 30,000 kw/h coming from Rrëshen. The substation was constructed in Qafë-Vorrëz in 1970. Villages are supplied with power through 10,000 kv/h booths

Having a large hydrografic network, Kaçinar commune has many bridges. Great efforts have been made to improve them. In 2006, 200 metres from the commune center, a motorbridge of standard engineering parameters was constructed with funds from the Commune (10%) and the Albanian Development Fund (90%). Bridges and road infrastructure have been the most important priorities in the last 17 years.

Auto-bridges have been built in Kuzhnen and Arrëz, and footbridges in Shpërdhazë and elsewhere.

IX- Agriculture and Stockbreeding

K

Kaçinar people are real agriculture workers. Fruticulture, especially the nut and grape are famous in all the region.

Table no.6 Agriculture and Breeding Production Year 2005 Nr

Article

1

Cereals

2

Grape

Year 2007 Quantity (kv)

440

375

1,488

1,308

Source : Kaçinar Commune

Table no.7 Agriculture Indicators

Village

Land area (ha)

Cultivated land area (ha)

Comunal Pastures

Cereals 93 ha

2001

Fodder 2005

93

2005

No of agriculture economies

1

Arrëz

56

46

46

100

2

Kacinar

76

40

40

70

3

Kuzhnen

40

24

24

47

4

Simon

77

41

41

102

5

Shëngjergj

100

45

45

52

6

Shtuf

23

15

15

62

7

Shpërdhazë

Commune

108

48

48

480

259

259

58 145

122

80

21

84

491

Source : Kaçinar Commune

18 I Kaçinar Commune Profile

Th

The Kaçinar Commune population lives in villages and is engaged in agriculture, stockbreeding, viticulture and fruticulture.

Komuna përballet me vështirësi për zhvillimin ekonomik si rezultat i: It is still poor because of (i) the commune’s remote geographical position which prevents local productions from being competitive in the market and (ii) unemployment. Money from emigrants remains an important financial income for families.

Agriculture. It is the main economic sector in the commune. More than 80% of the population are small farmers. Climate and land quality are propitious to the growth apple, grape, prune, hazelnut which cover a 300 ha surface area.

The rich vegetation is suitable for cattle breeding (goats and sheep). Bovine breeding has ideal conditions for growth in the highland of Kaçinar

and its sorroundings. Breeding complexes for up to 30,000 goats, sheep and bovine may very well be built in places such as Boka, Laja of Kaçinar, Shtera, Meshurdhi and Suk-Mun. As a result, diaries may reopen and meat and milk products become competitive. The vegetation favours also the beebreeding. Years ago Kaçinar alone used to produce all Mirdita’s planned honey.

Economic Development

Economic Development

Kaçinar

X-

Bussiness and Local Products. The market sector provides employement to 8% of the work force.

Only a small number of them work in the transport sector.

Education and health, the only two sectors that used to provide permament employment in the area, are now less and less offering employment opportunities.

Simon

Field with corn and maize, Siomon

Kaçinar Commune Profile I

19

Economic Development

Current workforce numbers 1289 individuals, whereof 1210 are unemployed.

Kaçinar Commune has plenty of natural resources and potentials for economic development on the whole and tourism development in particular.

Collection and processing of sumach, savory, thyme, bilberry, red and black juniper are a very advantageous economic potential. Collection of medicinal herbs would stirr businessmen to invest in their processing, creating 6-month employments for 200 people. Before the 90’s, this activity generated 40% of the total commune revenues.

Wood working tradition has attracted the attention of many specialists. Revival of the ancient tradition would ensure employment and income to the community especially to women and girls who could work in small workshops for the production of national customs and other specialties.

40 million tons of workable reserves of ultrabasic and basic rocks in Kaçinar are also a great potential. They may replace granulated materials and

Livestock, Kaçinar

20 I Kaçinar Commune Profile

be used for façade decorations and pavement.

Mountain tourism Thanks to its rare touristic beauties ranging from vegetation of all kinds to fresh climate, crystal clear waters, forests and a multiform relief, Kaçinar commune is very attractive for mountain tourism.

The Lake of Shkodër and the Adriatic Sea are visible to the naked eye from the highland. Because of the snow and the existence of foxes, hares, jackals, boars and roes, the highland is appropriate for skiing and hunting. The Medow of Hamza, Big and Small Laja, and Kabash Meadow are splendid places for the construction of summer camps with portable tents, of wooden alpine houses with traditional house fittings, and of outdoor sports facilities.

Access to the highlands of Kaçinar and Kuzhnen is possible by three main roads: that of Rreshën (30 km), of Puka (20 km) and of Gjegjan 20 (km).

Investments in road infrastructure and the construction of a cableway would make the area all the more attractive.

Vineyard

Education

Kaçinar

The field of Laja, Big and Small Laja, may be used for airport services of low intensity. And the famous hot spring there could attract tourists.

The highland with its beauty and breeziness is a more than suitable place for the organization of regional activities such as the Cheese Supper, Miss Laja, Contests with Rams and livestock fairs.

XI- Education

Th

The first schools in the Commune were opened in Simon and Kaçinar in the early ‘20s. The school of Simon was opened at the place called Kepi i Shelnave. In 1922 a school was also openend in Kuzhnen.

Some of first teachers were Kolë Zadrima, Kolë Kadare, Simon Dabërdaku and Luigj Kosniqi.

Preng Ndue Prenga (Nikolli) from Kaçinar played an important role in the development of education. He worked as teacher in Kossovo and as head of the Education Department of Mirdita’s Subprefecture.

Prengë Ndue Nikolli (Gjinali) and Dodë Tuçi taught respectively in the schools of Kaçinar and Kuzhnen opened in 1946.

In the year l960, a 7-year school was opened in the village of Kaçinar, followed six years later by the opening of a school in Simon, and subsequently by schools opened in Kuzhnen and Shëngjergj. That

is the time when pedagogical education of the first teachers commenced.

In the 80’s, a high school of global and agriculture profile was opened in the the commune center. It had 400 pupils. So the total number of pupils attending primary, secondary or high school in the commune rose above 1,000.

After the 90’s, mainly as result of migration in other parts of the country, the number of pupils and teachers dropped.

Currently there are three 9-year schools in Simon,

Table 8: Pupils in Kaçinar Commune in 1953 Village

Pupils

Simoni

47

20

Kaçinari

92

37

Shëngjergji

25

8

Kuzhneni

40

16

TOTAL

204

Females

81 Source: Kaçinar Commune

“Father Ambroz Marlaskaj” School, Kaçinar

Kaçinar Commune Profile I

21

Education

Kaçinar and Arrëz and three primary schools in Kuzhnen, Shtuf and Shëngjergj.

Their physical conditions have been greatly improved. The 9-year school of Simon was reconstructed with funds from the European Bank, the 9-year school of Arrëz with funds from the Austrian Caritas, and the schools of Shëngjergj and Kuzhnen with state budget funds.

The Commune has 200 university graduate specialists.

Table no.9: Structure of pupils in Kaçinar in 2007

Health service

Village

Secondary (9 year) schools

Table no.10: Structure of teachers in 2007 Primary schools

No

Schools

Teachers

1

Kuzhnen

5

University Graduates

High school Graduates

Pupils

Females

Pupils

Females

5

Arrëz

76

30

30

19

2

Arrëz

12

6

6

Kaçinar

75

36

31

14

3

Kaçinar

8

5

3

Simon

78

40

39

21

4

Shtuf

1

Kuzhnen

5

2

5

2

5

Shëngjergj

4

2

2

Shtuf

8

3

8

3

6

Simon

11

2

9

Shëngjergj

15

8

15

8

1

Source: Kaçinar Commune

Source: Kaçinar Commune

XII- Health service

N

Only first aid services are available in Kaçinar commune. At the disposal of the community is a general practitioner at the health center and a nurse in each village outpatient clinic.

Health care

22 I Kaçinar Commune Profile

Tower Kaçinar

XIV- Local Government

K

Museum items

There are seven villages in the Commune. Kaçinar village is the Commune Center and houses the local government offices and administration. As a structure, the local government was established in the year 1992. Its Council and Mayor are elected by the community. It has 12 staff members, 5 service workers and 7 village chairmen.

Culture and Tradition

Simon, Kaçinar and Arrëz used to have developed handicrafts, especially for felt processing and for the production of a variety of traditional customs. Their wood-working craftsmen were famous for room and façade decorations.

Local Government

S

Kaçinar

XIII- Culture and Tradition

Kaçinare Commune

Kaçinar Commune Profile I

23

XV- Relations with Donors

XV- Relations with Donors

Th

The local government has established good relations with foreign and domestic donors operating in Albania. The donors who have contributed the most are: Albanian Development Fund. It has contributed mainly in road infrastructure: 1- in 1995, USD 20,000 for the construction of Kaçinar-Arrëz road; 2- in 2003, USD 60,000 for the construction of a footbridge in Shpërdhazë; 3- in 2004, USD 200,000 for the construction of a 6,5 km long connecting road between the Commune Center with Kuzhnen; 4- in 2006, USD 60,000 for the construction of the bridge of Ndredi.

The European Bank. In 1998 it has funded USD 120,000 for the reconstruction of the 9-year school of Simon.

Foundation for Self-Employment and Professional Formation (Ministry of Work and Social Affairs). In 1998 it has paid USD 28,000 for the partial reconstruction of Qafë Vorrëz-Shëngjergj road.

Austrian Caritas. has provided USD 200,000 for the reconstruction of the 9-year school of Arrëz and for the furnishings of some other schools in the commune.

Kaçinar’s Parish Management. From 1990 it has donated funds for the: 1- construction of a number of footbridges in Simon, Kaçinar, Shpërdhazë etc.; 2- pavement with chippings of the most damaged parts of the commune’s byroads;

24 I Kaçinar Commune Profile

3- encirclement and maintenance of Simon’s and Kaçinar’s cemeteries; 4- construction of houses for families in need (USD 100,000); 5- full reconstruction of the premises of the Commune Center; 6- financial support of educational, cultural and artistic activities in schools.

UNDP. It has financed USD 19,000 and USD 20,000 respectively for the irrigation infrastructure of Shtuf and Arrëz.

IFAD-2. Focused in irrigation projects, it has paid a total of USD 155,000, namely: -USD 90,000 for the irrigation channel of Shpërdhazë; -USD 35,000 for the irrigation channel in the Preçaj neighbourhood of Simon; -USD 30,000 for the irrigation channel in the Çupaj neighbourhood of Kaçinar village.

Ministry of Health - Health Center, Kaçinar - Outpatient Clinic, Arrëz - Outpatient Clinic, Simon - Outpatient Clinic, Shtuf - Outpatient Clinic, Shëngjergj - Outpatient Clinic, Kuzhnen - Outpatient Clinic, Shpërdhazë

ALL 2,000,000 ALL 2,000,000 ALL 1,500,000 ALL 1,000,000 ALL 1,500,000 ALL 1,000,000 ALL 1,000,000

N W

E S

KUKËS PUKË

SHKODËR

Publisher: Qëndra për Bashkëpunim ndërmjet Komuniteteve, Autoriteteve Lokale dhe OJF-ve

Klos

Rr. “Zenel Baboçi”, Pll.37/1, Sh.2, Ap 20 Tiranë, Shqipëri P.o. Box 7451 Tel: 04 2229077 Mob: 06920421190 E-mail: info@cangoalbania.org Web: www.cangoalbania.org

Kaçinar LEZHË Rubik

Reps

MIRDITË Rëshen

Kurbnesh

Perlat Qendër

Graphic Design: Studio “Tartari” Printed: Gentgrafik Edition: 250 Kopje All rights reserved. The contents of this booklet may be freely used for non profitable intentions, provided each reproduction acknowledges CANGO as copyrighter.

LAÇ BURREL

KRUJË DURRËS

PESHKOPI

KAÇINAR COMMUNE PROFILE

Kaçinar Commune, Mirditë, Albania Tel: 0216 29903 E-mail: komunakacinar@yahoo.com

Rr. “Zenel Baboçi”, Pll.37/1, Sh.2, Ap 20, Tiranë, Albania P.o. Box 7451 - Tel: (04 2229077) - Mob: 06920421190 E-mail: info@cangoalbania.org - Web: www.cangoalbania.org

Kaçin

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