LIVORNO. «He was a golden boy. Nice, cheerful, available. He was always there, even in times of need. We hadn’t seen each other much lately, but we always stayed in touch.” Saimir Dashi worked side by side with Haris Shala, who died in a crash on the motorway while traveling in his truck on Monday 22 April, for at least five months, at the port of Livorno. He learned of the death of his colleague and friend from an Albanian newspaper. «I couldn’t believe it – he says –, I don’t know what exactly happened, but I am deeply saddened and I want to express my condolences to the family».
Days together
Dashi worked with Haris two years ago. They operated vehicles to move the goods landed in the port from one place to another. And they were side by side in the Livorno airport for several months. «His father had taught me the job – says Dashi – and I, for a period, taught him by tutoring him through coaching». And so they spent days and nights together, side by side. In the cold and in the heat. With light and with dark.
Friendship
«By spending a lot of time together, a friendship was eventually born between us. I know that at a certain point his parents had moved to Belgium and he had gone with them, but he wasn’t feeling well so he soon returned to Italy. In Pisano, however, he was fine. That’s what he told me. He liked the work and he had a beautiful family.” Dashi remembers his friend’s infectious smile and passion for motors. «We often joked together. And we also did it on the phone.” The last time, not many days ago. Then, Monday 22 April, the terrible discovery. The news of the death of Haris Shala. «When I found out I couldn’t believe it. It’s an immense tragedy.”
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