travel

Albania

This picture is from Tirana, the capital of Albania. Scanderbeg statue is located in the center of the main square of the city. Next to it is the Albanian flag, with red background and double headed eagle.

There’s a lot to say about Albania. I have had the chance to meet a lot of people that either knew nothing about Albania or knew very little. It’s ironic from one hand, because it is located in Europe and right above Greece and East of Italy (everyone knows those, right?), but understandable on the other hand. Albania was under the Ottoman Empire for 5 centuries until 1912 when it got its independence and then another 45 years or so under communism until 1990, out of which 25 years were in complete isolation from the rest of the world (Hoxha attempting to be more communist than Stalin). How would you expect a country do be recognized if it has been “buried so deep” in all these historical events.

I feel really sad that few people know about the natural beauty, the glorious story of defense again the Ottoman Empire, the co-existence of multiple religions, the hospitality, food and much more. Albania is not yet a developed country and has a long way ahead to reach the living standards of the West Europeans countries, but that is not because there is something wrong with the country or the people living in it. It’s because of a colossal long history of wars, territorial protection and brutal communism and isolation. The potential of the country is enormous. Albania has so much history and values that should pertain to the whole Europe, because they are truly European, and reflect the highest European virtues inherited throughout the centuries. I will put below few points that I always hear around and need to be clearly communicated to our European fellows for their educational sake :

  • Albanian language is of a totally separate and unique language group. There is no connection whatsoever with Slavic or Greek (I hear many people say that).
  • Religion in Albania is not by any means significant for the population. There are some surveys that say that above 60% is Muslim and the rest is catholic and orthodox, but I find it hard to believe as I know very few people follow the Muslim rituals in Albania. I think it would be incorrect for someone to say they are Muslim if they know nothing about the religion, let alone following the rules.
  • Albania is a separate country from Kosovo. However, the population living in both countries is Albanian  and the language spoken is Albanian. Albanians also live in Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia and have their own communities there. The biggest Albanian population outside Albania and Kosovo lives in Macedonia. These communities speak Albanian.
  • The war in the 90’s, was between Serbia and Kosovo, not between Albania and Serbia. It resulted in the win of Kosovo and the creation of it’s own free and independent state. NATO played a decisive role to end the war.
  • Yes, corruption is a problem in Albania. The same as it was in all developed countries at some point in their past. Albania has been a free democratic country for only 26 year. How long did it take the developed countries to reach their current state of law enforcement?
  • It’s perfectly safe to visit Albania! There is no wars or street crime as some might imagine. It’s perfectly safe and if you are a foreigner, you will be treated with highest respect (ironic again, because among themselves Albanian are not as nice as with foreigners).
  • Mother Teresa was Albanian. Her real name was Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, and Gonxhe is a type of flower in Albanian. She spoke Albanian and visited Albania multiple time during her life.
  • Skanderbeg (also depicted in the picture here in the main square in Tirana), the Albanian national hero, is also called “the protector of Christianity”. He managed  to keep the Ottoman Empire away from concurring the rest of Europe during his time as the leader of Albanian armies. His statues are found today in Rome, London, Brussels, Vienna etc.
  • Almost all your generation Albanians know Italian. It’s true and the reason is that TV in the 90’s had a lot of Italian channels. The cartoons, new Hollywood films were all in italian

to be continued…

I will publish post on what to do in Albania for tourists in the future. I will also offer tours in Albania for groups of people that are interested. Please contact me at contact@ledianselimaj.com to arrange accordingly.