WASHINGTON—Growing up in communist Albania, Elida Dakoli’s family worked hard to shield her from the worst of the persecution experienced by her relatives. Her father and grandfather were staunch opponents of the regime headed by Enver Hoxha, who seized power in the 1940s and held on until his death in 1985.
“Don’t ever mention your grandfather. Do not ever talk about the family’s history if you still want to see your parents,” her family warned her when she was around seven or eight years old.
Dakoli, who later became a renowned concert pianist, said her family lived under constant surveillance and government suspicion. Her paternal grandfather refused to turn over his property and income to the government. …