“The Bachelor’s Hotel”
The Bachelor’s Hotel is one of the dormitory buildings of the former Gogo Nushi Chemical Fertilizer Plant in Fier, officially known as the Nitrogen Fertilizer Plant, also referred to by former workers as the “School Factory.” This plant was part of one of the largest industrial complexes of the communist era, Azotiku i Fierit. The factory followed the fate of many large state enterprises of the time, which were abandoned or completely destroyed, leading to the collapse of nearly the entire industrial sector and, consequently, the workforce of the country. The plant was liquidated in 1999 and sold for scrap metal.
The primary focus of my research is the social and cultural-artistic activities in the city of Fier, naturally induced by the social interactions among the workers. According to former workers—now mostly emigrants, unemployed, or retired—the plant even had its own orchestra and ensemble. Strong interregional bonds were formed among the workers, as many specialists and laborers from different regions of the country, with varying lifestyles and concepts, came together. The factory, according to former workers, played a significant role in the professional, civic, and social formation of the city. It fostered relationships, social connections, and even family ties. Dozens of families were formed within the factory.
Today, the Bachelor’s Hotel is inhabited by low-income families, but the two separate entrances for women and men still stand as a reminder of its past function as temporary housing for specialists and workers. It is said that even the Chinese workers who came to build the factory used this building as their dormitory. This dilapidated building on the outskirts of the former Azotik plant seems to serve as a metaphor for two eras. Today, perhaps precisely due to the lack of work and social relationships among citizens, many Albanian cities have turned into nothing more than large dormitories where nothing happens—not even a bachelor’s gossip.
Uzina e Plehrave Kimike “Gogo Nushi”: A Colossus of Albanian Industry
The Gogo Nushi Chemical Fertilizer Plant in Fier was one of the largest industrial complexes of the communist era. Established through a cooperation agreement between the communist state and China on November 25, 1964, the plant was equipped with machinery and technology from the renowned chemical industry company Montecatini of Italy. Construction began in 1964, and by February 21, 1967, the first production of 53% nitric acid was achieved. Two days later, on February 23, 1967, the first batch of ammonium nitrate with 33.5% nitrogen content was produced. The plant’s production capacity reached 340 tons of ammonium nitrate per day.
At its peak, the plant employed up to 1,400 workers, 95% of whom had secondary or higher education. The introduction of nitrogen fertilizers significantly improved agricultural yields, increasing productivity by up to five times. Albania even exported chemical fertilizers to several European countries.
The Social and Cultural Legacy of the Plant
According to former workers, the plant played a crucial role in the professional and social development of the city. It fostered strong community bonds, with many workers forming lifelong friendships and families. Social activities such as visits, participation in weddings, celebrations, and excursions strengthened the sense of community among the workers.
Today, the Bachelor’s Hotel stands as a reminder of this vibrant social life. Once a temporary residence for specialists and workers, it now houses low-income families. Despite its current state, the building retains its historical significance as a symbol of the past era.
The Characters of the Report
The protagonists of this report are Demir Korita, a mid-level chemical technologist, and Josif Pelari, a technologist specializing in ammonium nitrate production, who was trained in China in 1965. They speak passionately about a bygone era and share stories of their friendship that began in 1966 and continues to this day.