Transcription
Welcome to Real People. The sun is very strong today. On my side, of course, is the historic area, but I can't help but touch upon the statue of Skanderbeg of Gjergj Kastrioti. I have actually come here to the place of those who have written and built much history. But in the meantime, on the other hand, before I go and have my conversation, which will remain in the memory of both the character and in my memory, but also in your memory, I want to thank you very much for sending me endless messages for whomever I interview. And for those people whom you suggest on my social networks, you can find them in the link below, the links which are in the description, you have my respective pages, Flori Gjini on Instagram, on Facebook, and suggest characters where I should go, whom I should interview. Help me as a journalist in this mission of mine as a journalist, but now as a freelancer. Also, don't forget to like the video and share it. This way, you will have the opportunity to give resonance to every real character in our lives. And in fact, I have achieved this with you. Why will I say? Last month alone, we had 4 million people who clicked on the page, who watched the videos. Another very large part, 600,000, who were active throughout the time on the videos. So I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. But on the other hand, you have contributed that when I was here in the center of Lezhë, one of the boys stopped me and said, "Oh, you are that guy from the real interviews." I will have the same conversation with Nikolin, Nikolin Deliu, who has remained loyal for more than 20 years to his usual, simple work, and you have not evolved even in the era of AI. Do you know what AI is, Nikolin? >> Yes. >> Uh, artificial intelligence. Have you read about it? >> I have read very little, but I know. Do you have it on your phone? >> No, I don't. >> You don't have it? You haven't downloaded it? >> No. >> Why? >> Because I don't spend much time on my phone. >> You don't like your phone, or you don't know how to use it? >> No, the problem is I don't know how to use it, but I don't like it. Eye problems. >> Do you have a strong connection with Lezhë? Nikolin, I have a connection because I was born here. >> I was born here. How old are you? >> This is the old neighborhood. Where was your house? >> No, this is the old neighborhood. It's the center. >> When you say this is the old neighborhood, here are the ruins. >> Yes, this is entirely the old neighborhood. >> Why was this all a neighborhood? This was the old neighborhood of Lezhë. >> From the Palace of Culture to the old bridge. >> Uh-huh. >> Which is behind them. >> Why, why is there no building today? >> Because of the 1979 earthquake at that time. >> Uh-huh. And it had considerable damage. Then they built new houses for people. >> Did you experience that earthquake? >> Yes, yes, I was young. I experienced it. >> How old were you? >> I was about 15 years old. So >> 15 years old. Where were you when the earthquake struck? In the village >> were you in the village? Did you feel it? Absolutely. >> Absolutely, we felt it. >> Was it that strong, the tremors? >> Absolutely, very strong. Were you at home? >> No, we were at school. >> At school, uh. >> As far as I remember. >> What do you remember? As little as I remember about the city where the strong earthquake struck. >> People then took their own initiatives to rebuild, >> because it was the time when >> Yes, from the day of the earthquake, were you scared? How were people informed at that time, since there were no phones? >> Yes, then it was more by word of mouth >> uh-huh >> this happened, that happened. A lot happened in Lezhë. >> Was the school destroyed? >> The school, yes. >> It was destroyed. Uh. >> It was destroyed, normally the school of Rema was built. >> Were any children injured? >> No, no. >> None. Uh. Were people who lost their lives? >> No people lost their lives here at all. >> Uh. >> They just got their houses cracked. >> Uh-huh. And then they were rebuilt. >> I understand. >> They were rebuilt in the other part of this area. >> Uh-huh, let's say in New Lezhë. >> Yes. New Lezhë. >> New Lezhë of that time. Uh, was it taken into account when the constructions were made that another earthquake would not hit us? Because at that time there was the earthquake, there was the Shkodër earthquake. >> Yes, as an area. >> As an area. >> Then it also hit Lezhë. >> Uh-huh. In Shkodër, Namami was also done then, of course, it was done there too. >> How was your relationship with school? >> What? I wasn't a good student. But it was good, pity >> really, huh? >> Good, good. >> Why didn't you like it? >> No, I liked it. It's not that I didn't like it. There were circumstances. But I wasn't good. What were the circumstances that took us here to Gjergji's? Like in the past, not poverty, not too many children, they were like that. >> But anyway >> uh-huh >> I wasn't a bad student. >> You weren't a bad student? Meaning, in the 80s you were 15, 16 years old. >> How old are you today? >> Today I am 63 years old. Exactly >> 63 years old. And you were the first child in the family. >> I was the second. My brother was the first. I was the second, then >> there were the others. >> How many others were there? >> We are 10 kids. >> Oh, why so many? >> We have four sisters and six brothers. But that's how it is, I don't know if dad knew. >> With one mother were you all? >> Yes, yes. With joy. With one mother. Did dad like many children? >> Since he had 10 kids, he must have liked them. >> Because sometimes at that time, due to carelessness, they were also born, that's why I say >> yes, normally, yes, there was that legal rule that the more children you have, the more you get each year >> support >> from the state >> state. When did you start working for the first time? >> I started working for the first time in '83, so >> in '83, uh. >> Then I went to the army in '85. >> Where did you do your army service? >> I did my army service in Shëngjin. >> In Shëngjin >> yes. >> Did village life bore you? >> No. We adapted, as they say, to the villagers. Did you have any talent when you were young? >> Yes, I was also in class. Uh, >> in fact, the first time I participated in a concert >> uh-huh >> it was the literature teacher, Mr. Zefi, who encouraged me to participate in this concert because I was a lively person in class >> I made them laugh afterwards >> gradually I got involved with youth, with school, not class, with eight years >> uh-huh, uh >> I went to the army, I didn't do any army work at all. I was just a soldier. >> Yes >> yes, I was involved in cultural and artistic activities. You were the soldier who never went to the army. >> Yes, that's it. >> How did you manage not to do army work? >> No, I was a soldier. But of course. But I didn't move around in the brigade, not in >> What did you do in the army? >> We did cultural, artistic activities. >> How was the regime in the unit? Very good. >> What time did you wake up in the army then? >> Yes, I woke up late, man, because I was waiting for concerts when you were so favored. Uh, you always had humor, where did you get your sense of humor from? >> Sense of humor, rightly so, from the family >> uh-huh >> from my father, they also had a bit of humor. >> But not stage humor, but I have it in a popular way today. >> Because you actually have two elements. You do two jobs. You do the job as a comedian, let's call it that, >> uh, in the Palace of Culture, Culture, >> but you also sell newspapers. >> Newspapers are my daily job. >> Your daily job, >> while the activities I do in the Palace of Culture, then these are when they call me for a concert or a comedy or a drama, something, I go. How many years have you been selling newspapers? >> I've been selling newspapers since 2000, exactly >> in the year 2000. >> In the year 2000. Why in 2000? After the time of unrest, after '97. >> Unrest >> after the time of unrest, I didn't immediately get involved with newspapers, actually. >> What did you do? >> I moved to TV Lezhë. >> Uh-huh. Because Shijaku brought some other technical materials for his television and sold it to someone else here from Lezhë, Agustin Cini >> uh-huh >> who is fantastic for this job, and he came and opened the television in Lezhë, it was the first television in Lezhë >> private >> private. I initially started as a guard because there was no one else to do it >> then >> with the camera, as a technician, when the cameramen were missing >> cameraman >> yes >> when others were missing, and in the technical department >> uh-huh, uh-huh >> so >> yes, presenter >> we had many presenters, they came >> you yourself never thought about it >> I never thought >> why didn't anyone ask me? I only held the camera and that's it, if they had asked me maybe >> meaning you understand the work of the guys, yes, yes, I know >> I move, as they say, my plan >> my plan is to keep it. Uh, television is actually a beautiful job. Did you like it? >> Yes, television is a beautiful job, a clean job, a job that gives you what you want with your soul >> uh-huh >> to people, but it's true that it's consuming in itself, it doesn't try anything. This is the bad thing about television. >> Did you ever have a stutter? >> Yes, initially >> really. Then, by dealing with newspapers, the newspaper started, the newspaper started, by practicing, it's like it came out. Ah, so in the beginning you had a stutter, you didn't speak, initially, young >> young, uh >> then by practicing all the time on stage and in newspapers during the day, it started to come out. The bad thing, as we say >> were you judged as a child for this? >> No. >> That you stuttered, no, never >> never, I never had anything like that. >> But did you use humor to make jokes? >> Yes. >> You used it, huh? >> Yes, I used it. I use it many times when I have a part that I know needs to be >> interesting. Did Salsano play such a character? >> Yes, yes, I know. I imitate Salsano in this, in this regard, that you say >> but since it's stuck there now, I don't have to say that everyone >> Have you ever thought about Portokalli? >> No, I never thought about it. >> Why? >> And the age. Why >> you are 60 something? I'm 64 years old, I'm getting into this job >> 64 years old, dealing with newspapers, you have time to deal with acting, no, I retired >> you're retiring soon >> nevertheless, you told me that you started working on television >> then in 2000 you broke away from television >> I broke away because someone else bought the television >> and at the moment I didn't stay with it. Newspapers at that time had money, television didn't have money. Uh-huh >> he >> how much did they pay you on television then? It was a ridiculous salary. >> How much, if you remember >> 50,000 Le. From that time until now with newspapers. Now the newspaper business has declined. There's no more money. >> There's no more money in newspapers. >> No, if I find another job, I might leave right now, for example. >> How long has the newspaper business declined? >> Yes, it's been how long? How many years? >> 20 years. Yes. >> It has gradually declined, now it has completely declined. >> How many newspapers do you sell today? >> Compared to then, five newspapers. Six newspapers, 20 to take them all together. What are you saying, man? >> Absolutely. Lezhë is not read at all anymore. >> How many newspapers did you sell at most per day before? >> As many as come today for Lezhë, I sold them myself. >> How many come today? >> Today, maybe 100. >> You sold 100 newspapers a day back then? >> Yes, today they come for Lezhë, today. Which was the best-selling newspaper in Lezhë? >> It was the RD newspaper initially. >> Uh-huh. >> Then >> RD was the newspaper of >> Yes. >> Of the Democrats >> Democratic Party. >> Then the Shekulli newspaper, which sold a lot. >> So RD was first, then came Shekulli. Uh-huh, >> initially >> uh-huh >> then Shekulli came, more or less, it managed to >> it surpassed >> surpassed RD >> surpassed RD, then came 55, Telegrafi, and generally >> now at this time, I don't know why >> but you, how much did you sell a newspaper for, 20 lek, to the one who brings the newspapers, it comes at a price and you get a small percentage for each newspaper, another 50 lek >> for each newspaper you can sell >> so >> and he takes it from me, I want >> uh-huh, uh-huh >> I add 100 >> yes >> for example >> because you bring it to the door of the house >> yes, I give it to you, for example >> yes >> it costs 600, for example >> yes, I give it to you for 700, I take it to the shop, that's my profit, for example, to take it to the shop, to the door of the house, or wherever you are, for example >> this is >> yes, today, which is the newspaper that sells >> today, the newspaper that sells is Panorama >> only Panorama >> Sport, these two make records >> what do you have in your bag today, show me, open your bag a little >> uh-huh >> here, for example, "Trush Kotel's Tales of Old Albanians" >> one of >> the main figures, let's not say the main ones, but there he might be >> absolutely, Mitrush Kuteli is >> Albanian >> a symbol >> in fact, he was punished for these. What else do you have? Show me a little. >> Uh-huh. >> What else do you have? I have a calendar. >> What did you put in? >> The calendar is >> the Catholic calendar. >> Catholic, Catholic. >> Uh-huh. >> And this one for the feast of Saint John, I sold it. >> Yes? You sell it. How much does a Catholic calendar cost? >> Now this one costs 2,000 ALL. >> 2,000 ALL, huh? >> Yes. >> Yes. What's the difference from simple calendars? Or >> nothing? There's nothing. But a simple calendar is simple, it has nothing, while this one has those holidays. >> What month were you born in? >> I was born in December 1962. >> In December '62? >> Tell me the exact date of birth, the exact day. >> Let me see, December, what does December have, the exact day. >> I don't know what day it fell on now. But I remember the 27th >> 27th, December 27th. Now >> whether it fell on a Monday or Sunday, I don't remember. >> Agreed, December 27th. According to the Sunday of December 27th, it is the Sunday of the Nativity. Yes. >> So you were born on Christmas Sunday. >> Do you think you were blessed? >> I think so. >> What was your blessing? >> My faith is in this. I am Catholic. >> Yes. Yes. I mean when you say you were blessed, what did God bless you with? >> God blessed me because until now I have no kind of illness in my body. >> Uh-huh. >> And secondly, I have never been to the hospital. >> Never. Uh. You have no problems. Absolutely. >> I might have gone for a check-up because during the day I might have gotten hurt for something small, for example. But no, this is my greatest blessing. >> Were you ashamed the first day you went out to sell newspapers? >> Initially, yes. Then I adapted, although I had a bit of that because I was an artist in the true sense of the word, on stage, but I adapted because even when I go to tables, I bring humor. >> For example, what humor, give us one thing, one thing of humor. Wait, let me put my bag down, the book in the bag. You, you make humor on the spot, at the moment. >> Yes, I remember once when I >> I write a lot of jokes and I write. I am the author of four humor books. >> Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh. I write sketches, I write jokes, I write skits myself. As for comedy, I haven't managed to write it yet. I'm not there yet. >> Tell me a good joke, for example. I'll sit here. >> A villager >> uh-huh >> with a donkey >> uh-huh >> went to the market, bought a black bench, a young man with a beard. He says, "What's new from the village? Has this donkey of yours been walking?" and leaves quickly. He goes to the old man with the black dust, the old man doesn't notice who he is, he hugs a pole until he becomes all wax. "Hey, son," says the villager, "you're laughing at me first, or should I tell you a word from the cat? Laugh better when you laugh last." >> last >> how beautiful, and with a message inside, huh? The old man is always right. >> Yes, absolutely. >> Always. "The old man eats, blood spills," they used to say. >> Uh, it was like that once again >> where is the old man, blood spills. >> Where is the old man, blood spills. Uh >> it means that >> the strength >> his strength, his physical strength and the strength of the old man's thought have always been a precursor for the generations that have come. >> Is this respected today? Does this expression still stand today? Where is the old man? Does blood spill today? >> No, no. >> No. Uh. >> Youth does not take this into account. >> Did you ever have a conflict with your father? >> No, in fact, I was very afraid of him. >> Were you very afraid of him? Uh, >> he was a serious man. >> Really? So how did you manage? Is it good to be afraid of your father? >> Yes, it's good, he never works for bad. >> He only works for good. Did your father ever hit you as a child? >> No, never. I don't remember. >> No, I don't remember. But I, there wasn't any of the other children, and maybe he reformed them. No >> but why did he keep you with >> you were pleasant >> or or >> uh >> ah, the problem >> I always avoided the problem >> because he also has politics, you know >> uh-huh >> would you ever be a politician? >> No, for one reason, no, I don't think any politician can do what he says, in the end, he can't do that. >> Have you ever been involved in politics? >> No, not in politics. I have written about politics. Let's open a school, the halls are full of scoundrels. It's not even a surprise, not even a bit. Deputies and ministers go there, professors. The essence of this is that if the job is to give them lessons, who are the deputies >> the professors >> those who have. Uh, and the queues >> how many children do you have? >> I have two daughters. >> May they live long. >> How was your relationship with Nikolin? >> My mother is unmarried, while the other is married, well, excellent. >> What advice did you give them? >> My advice to them has always been to be human first. Then the others come by themselves. What makes a person human? >> Humanity makes a person human. To be just >> uh-huh >> to be pure in spirit, and the other, to be communicative with people, to listen to the truth, I miss it so much. All those who are liars. Some of them lie for interest. For others, it has become a habit. It is politics that is destroying us, because lying is its profession. At night it goes away, it rests, only when the sun rises for the politician, every day is April 1st. I like it >> I liked it very much, beautiful. Listen, do you have any, do you have any >> publicist that you cherish, that you have always read when you get newspapers? To be honest, I haven't had any sympathy for these publicists, but I would recommend a friend of mine who is wonderful, Martin Dedaj. Absolutely fantastic. Did you like sports? >> I played sports in my youth. >> What did you play? >> I played football. >> Uh-huh. >> I was the best in class. And with school I was the best, and with youth I was the best. Almost all day I spent playing football. I am >> Are you married? >> Yes, I have two children. Yes. >> When did you get married? >> I got married in '85, at the time when Rraja died. He died. I was having a wedding >> in that period. >> You mean, what a contrast, everyone was afraid. I went ahead with the wedding, let the work be done. >> Really? Did they tell you why you were having a wedding? >> He was a communist then. But I invited them to the wedding to shut their mouths. >> Why were these things looked at at that time? >> Yes, they were looked at. >> How many guests did you have at your wedding then, Nikolin? >> Yes, I don't know, I didn't ask my father. But I had about 200 people. >> You had 200 people at your wedding? Did your father pay? >> From all the brothers and sisters, with whom were you most connected? A sister who is married in Italy. She was your weak point. Why? She misses me a lot and I think. >> Yes, why? >> Because not all. >> Yes, absolutely. >> Blood is very important. >> Uh-huh. And with whom do you not get along so well? >> No, I get along well with my brothers and sisters because I don't hold grudges. The biggest word I can say to my brothers and sisters is, "May there be no strife in the house, without my help, I don't want help," because strife is bad, right? >> Who do you remember from public figures >> of humor? >> Yes, not only of humor, but someone who, in all these years, at 64 years old, you must have passed Zog and now Alim Hilli, who were not found. Uh-huh, >> because I didn't cherish them, because he was excellent, in fact, a club was opened >> uh-huh >> in Zgjedhja >> and Preçi. >> Did you have journalist friends? >> Nikollë Lesi. >> Nikollë Lesi. >> Nikollë Lesi. >> Uh-huh. >> Then I worked at Koha Jonë initially when it was in Lezhë. >> Did you not have any younger generation? >> No, there were no younger journalists then. Simply, when they opened a branch, they came from the surrounding area, they came from Tirana >> to inspect. What inspector? Well, something that might have happened, a mistake, something. But you, for example, who gave them the right that they had done a workday or not? >> Yes. >> Which one, for example? >> Yes, I had a lot with figures, I didn't have them, but these are Benin and I had him >> which Ben? >> Ben Blushi. >> Ben Blushi. >> Ben, I gave him all the workdays, and festivals, they owe me. >> When you go there, say, "Do you have money?" We were at the beach with Fevziu, they were in Angleshë. The last day was there >> really. See how old they were at that time >> in college? I don't know >> 20 years old. >> Yes, 20 years old. >> 20 years old, uh, and they went to the beach, where did they swim? >> Not at the beach, but they swam where Larila >> uh-huh >> is the drinking place. >> Uh-huh >> like Lezhë, it was like that. Laj. >> How did they know you, that you were doing the workday for them? >> Yes, they came to the action there. >> Uh-huh. At the action, what did you do? >> I was a brigadier. Brigadier, uh >> of the action >> uh-huh >> of the activists >> because >> head of the sector >> uh-huh >> I had to add a brigadier for work for a month >> uh-huh >> since you work in culture, Nikolin, you do two jobs, and then I went and I accompanied >> with these, but I accompanied them quickly, not even two days passed when I accompanied them, and I saw that they were a bit like that, like the others >> uh-huh >> I said, "You have the workday." For how many days did you justify the workday? >> A month, round. >> A month of work? >> I don't know. >> Who was more successful at that time, Fevziu or Blushi? Blushi. >> Blushi, uh, he was a bit more, how did he recover today? I don't know. But >> maybe money too. Yes, yes. >> Really, what do you remember, for example, in a situation? Tell me a story with those two. Come on, let's tease them a bit. >> For example, Ben says to me, "You went down there these days." But, but I would say, "I'm going, excuse me, the coast." >> I have many friends, he has come several times, he has met me. >> Did you meet Fevziu? >> No, not him, no, I didn't meet him. Do you think if you meet him, he will remember you? >> Ben told him how I found the brigadier. >> Yes, that's very beautiful. Very, very beautiful. You have always maintained relationships with everyone. It seems you loved everyone. >> Yes. Yes. I was not a bad person, I understood a lot. I was always social. I also have the type of person who is social. >> Nikolin, did you ever have the opportunity to make a lot of money? Because it was a time of unrest, it was a time of opportunities. Did you have connections? >> No. >> You never had the opportunity. >> No, I don't regret it, maybe fate also blocks a person, no matter how much a person is, fate also blocks it, keep in mind. >> But I am not, as they say, penalized for problems because I don't have money. My wife and daughter are healthy, and today in my house we have no kind of illness. This honors me. I have a house. But a difficult situation, when was the most difficult situation you went through? >> There have been difficult situations continuously, I have had difficult situations, to be honest. >> One that you remember, for example. >> But when the 90s came, when I left home >> uh-huh >> there was no money for anyone at that time, not for me. I started doing all sorts of jobs, private wages were miserable. >> With difficulty, he earned 2,000 lek at home, wow! >> How to get bread, then gradually. >> What job did you do? >> All sorts of jobs. >> Whatever came out, huh? >> Yes, whatever came out. >> But at that time, didn't you go into culture? >> No, I continued even at that time. >> Even at that time. But how is it possible? Cold. But how is it possible that it's not always cold for these >> not even in the department of culture, >> in the theater of culture. For example, there is something that people themselves do not recognize, it is a big mistake in my opinion, not for me, but >> uh-huh >> I speak in general, and those who have become artists from Lezhë have gone to school and become, for example, pharmacists >> did you regret not continuing university? >> No, I can't tell you the truth, I don't know anymore, I'm not for university >> you weren't >> no. >> Are there people who didn't deserve it? You knew everyone, you knew many names. Are there people who didn't deserve success or who were very successful but weren't good people? >> Many authors who have books now, it's bad to say it to their faces. But they are not the ones who >> are not suited for that job. It's not Enver's time anymore, when there was a group of specialists who would look at the dough of what they were producing. >> Uh-huh, uh-huh. >> When I say when we send the dough, not people for favor, come on, give me a gothic or something else, and let it pass as you are. Let's take it seriously. For example, the literature club has the opportunity to create >> yes >> such a staff. Nikolin comes with his material, what it will be, he looks at it, he even makes it difficult to say, "This is not for this job, it's not for this." He understands >> because, why does he make it difficult? Because when you deal with this job, you deal with another job, another. >> Are you yourself regretting something you haven't done? >> Regretting, regretting, I regret many things, but for example, I regret >> that I didn't take on more responsibilities, I left them behind, what I need now, what I need, this other thing. But if I had taken them, I would have progressed. >> Which ones? Which ones, for example? >> Everything. For example, art, I would have progressed more in football, where I was the best, I would have progressed more, and that school that I did, why did I leave it? Here, what do I need? No, I didn't have a mind. I had. A crazy person. What do you say? These? Crazy >> crazy. But a social person, did you drink? >> No. >> Never. >> Did you drink alcohol? >> Alcohol, tea, but for God's sake, you've annoyed me. Have you done anything bigger? Have you helped people? >> I have helped with the little things they asked for, for example, and the goods I see, I give them, I know the limits, and I know these types who want to take them for free, I know them, so I see that it is genuine, I leave it. >> What, what hurts you more? What touches your heart more? >> Everything, poor people, especially the state should help. Truly, people, some lack manners, some lack sense, some God has given them something, it is not a matter of land. >> True. Nikolin, thank you very much for meeting you. >> No, let me tell you some movies. >> While you are going to tell me all the movies, I want to thank my friends who were with me today in Real People. A few minutes have passed, in fact, talking with Nikolin, but it was a pleasant conversation. I hope you also got your messages. Don't forget to follow the Flori Gjini channel on YouTube. Subscribe, like, leave your comment below, and share, share this interview with all those who need to see it. I want to thank all the Albanians who are in America very much, those who always write to me about characters with great kindness and sometimes send contributions to help, and I try to connect them with their contacts. See you in the next episode. Also, if you liked the interview, share this video with your friends and don't forget to subscribe to Flori Gjini's YouTube channel.