Explaining Albania: Recent Episodes
Alice Taylor
An immigrants guide to Albania. Discussions on culture, history, food, social issues, travel and more, with Exit News journalist Alice Taylor.
Austrian politician, former MEP, grandson of the last Austro-Hungarian emperor and head of the house of Habsburg-Lorraine, Karl von Habsburg talks EU, Trump, rule of law, Albanian heritage and problems with Serbia.
This week I spoke to Hans Wolf from the Council of Europe's Committee to Prevent Torture about conditions in Albanian prisons. I also had Ben Andoni and Arben Kola in the studio to discuss the reasons why Albanians are among the unhappiest in Europe. Is it politics, perception, pollution or something else?
This week, I spoke to two foriegn business owners living in Albania about the current political situation, the census, migration, the cost of living and corruption.
This week, with Lorenzo Picolli, Milena Harito and Dr Andi Hoxhaj discussing the new Italy -Albania migrant deal and with Geldis Gjepali on the good, the bad, and the ugly of Albania's recent European Commission enlargement report.
With Jonila Godole, were women really emancipated during the communist dictatorship? How have things changed since then and what needs to be done to achieve more equality? Follow the discussion here.
This week I interviewed those taking part in the Tirana Marathon to raise money for Albanian children with disabilities, I spoke to Swedish Ambassador to Albania Niklas Strom, and Manuel Sarrazin, the German representative for the Western Balkans.
This week, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama talks about enlargement, EU promises, his future in politics and relations with Kosovo and Serbia.
MEP Viola Von Cramon explains how the EU has prepared sanctions against Serbia, I speak to the director of Albania's Oscars entry and discussions ensure over the introduction of an AI newsreader and what it means for journalism.
In this week's Inside Albania:I interviewed Kosova's Foreign Minister Donika Gervalla-Schwartz on the recent terrorist attack, how it is time Kosova joins NATO, the failures of the EU and West in believing the warnings, and Serbia's real motives.I also spoke with Flora Ferati the researcher who brought to light the 'administrative ethnic cleansing' of more than 6000 ethnic Albanians from the south of Serbia. She said the EU stance that it is too late to be included in Kosovo-Serbia dialogue is an excuse.Deputy Finance Minister Endrit Yzeiraj explains what happened at the pre-Berlin Summit Economy Minister's meeting in Tirana last week, and the EIB unveil their big investment plans for Albania.
In this week's show we analyse the draft igaming law with expert Ron Mendelson, discuss criticism of bias against EU envoy Miroslav Lajçak with MEP Thomas Waitz, and delve into Albanian regional policy with Odeta Barbullushi.
In the first episode of season 2, I delve into the administrative ethnic cleansing of Albanians in southern Serbia, the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, state Vs private education in Albania, the upcoming census and oil in Shpirag.
For the Inside Albania season finale, I went to Durrës to meet the Western Balkan Youth Orchestra which brings together musicians from 15 countries to play music and tour the region promoting culture and cross border solidarity.
Albanians make up the largest foreign population in UK prisons while in Albania, we have the highest ratio of prisoners to population size in the region. I asked John Alite, former mafia mobster, what makes young Albanians consider a life of crime and why are so many looking to flee the country?
I headed to the Vjosa Narta Lagoon near Vlorë to talk to an activist from PPNEA who are challenging the Albanian government over a new airport they say will endanger precious wildlife. I also interviewed CEO of Patagonia, Ryan Gellert about the success of the campaign for the Vjosa River National Park and how Albania is one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
Divisions in society, artistic license and what plagues Albania today with author of Free, Lea Ypi.
In this episode, I discuss with Agriculture Minister Frida Krifca the challenges facing Albanian agriculture on its EU path, also the push to legalise medical cannabis, the arrest warrant for former deputy Prime Minister and alcohol addiction with Dr Sonila Bitri.
This week the reality of human trafficking from Albania is explained by Sister Imelda Poole from Mary Ward Loreto, along with Patricia Burr from ECPAT who's organisation is suing the British government over children who went missing, including 176 Albanians, from UK asylum hotels. Benedict Spence also discussed the failings of the British government in managing the migrant crisis. Also, on the agenda is US expats in Albania talking about Bill Clinton's visit and their experiences in Albania.
Today I interviewed Rep.Ritchie Torres, congressman of the Bronx on his support for Kosovo, British MP Alicia Kearns on the EU's failure to play fair with Serbia, Mustafa Llani on Albania's first Blockchain property sale, and UCL law lecturer Andi Hoxhaj on the MEK and Albanian relations with Iran.
As the debate over Albanian asylum in the UK rages on, Alice Taylor spoke to Conservative MP Tim Loughton and asylum expert Daniel Sohege on the public rhetoric, whether Albanians have grounds for asylum, and what happened to the Albanian children missing from UK asylum hotels: spoiler, the UK government does not know.
As Albanian interest in going to the UK shows no sign of abating, I am joined by two Brits-Richard Russell and Carolyn Perry who have made Albania home and are applying for Albanian citizenship. I also tackle recent developments between Kosovo and Serbia with the intervention of the Albanian prime minister, the freefall of the Euro, the arrest of Vangjush Dako and release of Saimir Tahiri, and am joined by Valbona Sulçe to talk about how banning sexism from TV can help tackle the issue of domestic violence in society.
This week, former Kosovar foreign minister Meliza Haradinaj, Kosovo Serb activist Miodrag Milicevic, and Kosovo Albanian journalist Xhemajl Rexha talk about what the local communities actually want, if coexistence is possible, and whether the US would be better talking the lead in the ongoing dialogue.
In this week's show, I discuss the return of Albanian prisoners from the UK, the EU response to the arrest of Fredi Beleri, and sustainable business in Albania.
This week with special guests we look at the diaspora vote and also whether foreign residents should be able to vote in Albanian elections, along with other hot topics.
Welcome to the first episode of Inside Albania with Alice Taylor, exclusively for Euronews Albania. In this episode, topics on the agenda are migration, poverty, school leavers and the 14 May municipal elections.
With the Serbian general elections just two months away, Alice Taylor spoke to academic, researcher and human rights activist Flora Ferhati-Sachsenmaier about her years of research into the "administrative ethnic cleansing" of ethnic Albanian Serbian citizens in the Presevo Valley in southern Serbia. Over the last ten years, Ferhati's work shows that almost 4000 ethnic Albanians have been removed from voter lists due to so-called address passivization. The Serbian government says they no longer live there, but the citizens say this is not the case. As a result, they can no longer work, access healthcare, sell or buy property, or send their children to school. They are, de facto, stateless. All of this has taken place under the nose of the EU and other international organisations who have so far, failed to respon.
From raki to Erion Veliaj, the Doha Metro to the ghost airport of Kukes, here are the top 20 stories you read from Exit.al in 2021.
As we come to the end of the year, I have been saving some of the most outrageous, offensive, bizarre, and downright untrue things said by Albanian politicians and public figures. Here are just a few of them!
The stories we’ve told you so far have been of patriots and ordinary citizens who fell foul of Albania’s brutal communist regime. But for this episode of the memory files, we wanted to give you a slightly different perspective.
Koco Theodosi was an elite member of the communist party and a politburo member. He held many high-ranking positions, including that of deputy prime minister.
He and his family lived in Blloku, an area of the city shut off from the rest of the country. This small section of the town was heavily guarded and was home to the party elite, their families, and dictator Enver Hoxha. Here the rules were somewhat more relaxed. While the rest of the country starved and struggled, those in Blloku lived a life of relative luxury. They ate well, could dress in more western fashions, and enjoyed a level of freedom their fellow countrymen could not.
But even in this enclave of privilege, people were not entirely safe. They lived with the threat of falling out of favor hanging over them at all times. As Enver Hoxha became more paranoid and desperate to cling to power, even those closest to him suffered. He regularly purged high ranking officials, even his close friends and confidants. They were rounded up, charged with frivolous crimes, and either imprisoned or executed.
Some, like Mehmet Shehu, committed suicide in suspicious circumstances. Today, Blloku is the vibrant heart of the city. It is home to bars, clubs, high-end shops, restaurants, and various other businesses that Hoxha would not have approved of. It’s almost like after the fall of communism, the people claimed back this enclave of privilege and made it theirs, a show of defiance against their oppressor.
All of the stories we have shown you so far have been different in various ways. But the one thing, sewing them all together with a black and unbreakable thread, is the pain felt by not being able to retrieve their loved ones’ remains. Being able to retrieve their bones, lay them to rest, and give them the funeral they deserve is of great importance to these families. Not being able to do this leaves them with a gaping wound that will not heal. Not only do they suffer from the unknown, but they feel they have failed or are prevented from giving their ancestors the dignity they deserve. They have searched, asked questions, looked to international organisations for help, and even tried to retrieve them themselves, but obstacles are put in their way every time. Albania is home to generations of people who will never know what happened to their loved ones or where their bodies lie. In the fourth episode of the memory files, we will hear a story that demonstrates this anguish and paints a horrifying picture of the persecution people faced during these years. When you begin to understand how the communist party treated people and how a lack of justice impacts them today, you know that while the regime has fallen, its brutal legacy continues in the minds and lives of the people to this very day. In loving memory of Tefik Sfiri.
With thanks to the Sfiri / Velaj family.
Project Funded by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
Like a cat that toys with its prey before dealing the lethal blow, the Albanian communist regime liked to inflict psychological cruelty on its victims before destroying them completely.
Once they identified an enemy, they would use every tool at their disposal to crush their spirit, break down their strength, and render them helpless before condemning them to a lifetime in prison, or death. This demonstrates not only the physical brutality executed by the regime, but it shows they were cold and calculating as well.
The story you are about to read is not just tragic, it clearly shows the emotional torture inflicted upon ordinary people.
But before we begin, I want to ask you a question. Would you condemn yourself to death to protect someone else?
For Exit News
Funded by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
Did you know that the Albanian language can be expressed in several unique scripts? The Vithkuqi Script and the Elbasan Script were created to provide a truly Albanian way to express the language. Dead and forgotten for centuries, two Albanians in the diaspora are using their combined skills in art, design, coding, and computer wizardry to revive them. In an interview with Alice Taylor, Arber Borici and Lirim Kapitaj discuss the Albanian language, the two scripts, and a passion for Albanian history and identity.
Megi Xhemali lives in New York but has partnered with a local feminist organization, the Pink Movement to work on an exciting and much-needed initiative. She and the team are providing some 10,000 books that will be used to set up libraries in schools throughout the country. In schools where there are as little as 10 books and some don't even have windows, these gifts, funded by Albanians in the diaspora are most welcome. They aim to open a network of more than 100 libraries countrywide, providing books for loan on topics like psychology, personal development, sociology, and of course, core school subjects.
For 50 years, Albanian people languished in poverty and persecution. Communists revoked their human rights, and only the elite, such as members of the party, existed in comfort. Over the years, thousands of people were executed and murdered. Thousands more lost their lives in horrific conditions in prison and labor camps throughout the country. Today, the remains of between 6000 and 7000 people are still missing. One of the most horrifying parts of this situation is that there is no memorial for them, and prosecutors have stonewalled efforts to recover their bodies. Yet, in the center of Tirana, just off the main boulevard, the remains of statues paying tribute to Enver Hoxha, Stalin and Lenin remain. The iron fist of Hoxha grasped the entire country from north to south, east to west. It knew no mercy, and even those in far-flung rural areas could not escape his tyranny. For the second episode of the Memory Files, we traveled to Voskop in the Municipality of Korce, some 185 kilometers from the dictator’s seat of power. This story demonstrates that even a deep and unbridled love for your country was not enough to escape the wrath of communist terror. Project Funded by the Konrad Adenaur Foundation F
For almost 50 years, Albania was in the grips of a brutal communist regime, led by dictator Enver Hoxha. During that time, tens of thousands of Albanian men, women, and children were persecuted, imprisoned, and murdered. Many more died because of horrific conditions in prison and labor camps throughout the country. Today, 30 years later, there are still over 6000 people still missing. There are no memorials, no justice, and many families do not know where their loved ones remains are. The Memory Files will take a snapshot of 12 of these stories. Over the next year, we will go beyond the statistics and take a look at who these people were, what their lives were like, what went so wrong, and how their families have tried to cope with the tragedy of their loss. Our first story begins with the story of Nazmi Uruci.
With thanks to the Daci and Uruci family, in loving memory of Nazmi Uruci, 1904-1944. This article was created with financial support from Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung.
Tomorr Kokona has had an extraordinary. Plucked from his class in communist Albania, he trained as a gymnast and professional dancer, specializing in ballet and Albanian folk dancing. But his journey to the stage wasn't smooth and involved an angry letter, an AK47, and a life-changing trip to Spain. He now lives in the UK and runs several successful businesses. In an interview with Alice Taylor, he talks about his life story and the importance of always having a plan.
Erina Baci is an Albanian archaeologist and a Ph.D. student at the University of Michigan. She is fascinated by her Albanian roots and is pursuing the exploration of Albania and Kosovo, trying to find out more about her ancestors lived, settled, and moved. But it isn't without its challenges; nationalism, sexism, and to an extent, a lack of funding are just some of the obstacles along the way. In her interview with Alice Taylor, they also discuss what future generations of archeologists, thousands of years from now, will say about us from the buildings we are leaving behind.
Pavol Szalai is the head of the EU and Balkan desk at the international media advocacy organization Reporters Without Borders. In a globally declining media freedom climate, he has his work cut out for him reporting on threats and violations against journalists. In this interview with Alice Taylor, they discuss the Albanian anti-defamation package, what the EU needs to do to halt authoritarian grip on media, recent developments in the Jan Kuciak murder case, and also, some of the positive developments in the region.
An Albanian teenager that was trafficked to the UK has lost a battle to continue living in the country following an unsuccessful appeal to the High Court.
18-year-old Samet reported that he was beaten and abused before being made to beg on the streets of Albania at age 11. He was then sold into slavery and trafficked to the UK when he was just 15 years old.
Three years later, he now lives with a foster father John Stokes, attends college, and plans to become a carpenter. He was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder following his traumatic childhood but has become “part of the family” with John and his foster brothers, Ali and Dave.
Stokes set up a petition to try and stop the Home Office from deporting him.
“Our family greatly fears for his safety and health if he is sent away,” the petition states.
“Deprived of education for many years, Samet grasped the opportunity of school and then college where his efforts are described as outstanding in all areas. He dreams of being a carpenter and the sort of ordinary life most of us take for granted were always clouded by the daily fear that he could be rejected by the nation that’s given him hope for the first time.”
Exit journalist Alice Taylor interviews John about the fight for Samet's right to a happy life and future.
The Vjosa River in Albania has been subject to a long campaign to get it designated as a National Party in order to protect it from hydropower plants proposed by the Albanian government. Just as victory or at least partial success was in sight, the campaign and residents along its banks were dealt another blow. Oil company Shell is exploring along the banks of the river in the Permet area of the country. If they find oil, they will be able to exploit the region at the expense of local residents, for 25 years. In this interview with Alice Taylor, Ulrich talks about the importance of pushing for National Park designation and how Albania should seize the opportunity to lead the way in the protection of valuable natural assets.
Elidor Mehilli is an associate professor of history and public policy at Hunter College at the City University of New York, a Cornell and Princeton alumni, a bulk of his work has focussed on authoritarian regimes, dictatorships, and the economic and cultural impact of the Cold War. He is also the author of the award-winning book, From Stalin to Mao: Albania and the Socialist World. In this episode, he talks to Exit journalist Alice Taylor about the destruction of much of Old Tirana including the National Theatre, Qemal Stafa Stadium, and most recently, the Queen Geraldine Maternity Hospital.
A project to build a buypass behind Gjirokaster Castle is jeopardising not only the castle, but the surrounding area which is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Exit journalist Alice Taylor speaks to cultural heritage experts Stephan Doempke and Kreshnik Merxhani to find out why it's happening, how it can be stopped, and what makes Gjirokaster so unique and special.
The Vjosa River is Europe's last wild river. Stretching over 270 kilometres, it flows untamed and free and includes beautiful canyons, lush and fertile countryside, and a plethora of communities that have lived in harmony with it for millennia. But it's under threat from the proposed construction of a number of hydropower plants. Patagonia has called on the Albanian government to put aside "opportunistic greed" and to create the Vjosa National Park, protecting this valuable stretch of river and the environment that surrounds it. CEO of Patagonia, Ryan Gellert joins Exit journalist Alice Taylor to discuss why this valuable ecosystem must be preserved.
Albania was subjected to a brutal communist regime that spanned almost 50 years. During this time, thousands were executed and murdered, and many more were imprisoned in prison camps, forced work camps, and detention centers. Some 30% of the population was persecuted by the regime. Some 30 years later, around 6000 people are still missing and their bodies have never been returned to their families. Furthermore, the Albanian institutions have been slow to act on finding the missing, and excavation orders have been stuck with prosecutors for three years (and counting). The International Commission on Missing Persons Western Balkans Program, headed by Matthew Holiday recently published a report on the situation in Albania and included calls for progress and action from the authorities. Exit Journalist Alice Taylor interviewed him on his work, the situation in Albania, and whether there is hope for the family of the missing.
Poem: For our children
We have chosen beautiful names,
Good names:
Drilon,
Shkumbin,
Gramoz,
Korab,
Vjosa,
Valbona...
May they flow behind us
Like our rivers,
May they rise above us
Like our mountains.
- The Names, Agim Vinca, Albanian Poet, 1987
Albanian rivers, communities, and precious habitats are under threat due to the ongoing and future construction of hydropower plants. Amid corruption, harassment, and a barely functioning legal system, some people are fighting back. Catherine Bohne and Ashley Parsons are not Albanian but driven by a deep love and affinity for the country, they have dedicated themselves towards fighting to preserve Albania's last remaining, truly wild and wonderful places.
Exit journalist Alice Taylor shares a virtual coffee with prominent journalist and outspoken political critic, Adrian Krasta. Topics on the table include traditions in North Albania, Celtic tribes, amoral familism, British coffee, and of course a big dose of politics.
Arjeta Puca spent most of her life in Turkey but she returned to Albania four years ago with a dream of setting up her own business. Fast forward to today and she owns a successful company with branches in Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Albania, and supplies various government ministries and departments with specialist vehicles such as ambulances. We discuss her meteoric rise, women boxers, the patriarchy, female electricians, and more!
Exit journalist Alice Taylor interviews Ade Clewlow MBE, former army officer, journalist, photographer, and author of the book 'Under a Feathered Sky: the Untold Story of NATO's Role in Newly Independent Kosovo'. The conversation delves into hospitality, raki, the complexities of Kosovo's struggle for independence and recognition, and the influence of foreign entities.
In this episode, Exit News journalist Alice Taylor speaks to clinical psychologist and psychotherapist Adelina Pjetra about different kinds of trauma that we all suffer from, the taboo and stigma surrounding mental health and seeking therapy, and the different ways people can approach treatment.
The second in a two-part series, Exit News journalist Alice Taylor speaks to Albanian writer, journalist, and dissident Fatos Lubonja about his past and the history of Albania. In this episode, they discuss whether Albania would have been communist if Enver Hoxha had not existed, why the Communist Party succeeded as opposed to other political actors, and why Albanians seem to gravitate towards strongmen leaders.
From the demolition of the Albanian National Theatre to the murder of 25-year-old Klodian Rasha, the COVID-19 pandemic to the formation of the Constitutional Court, this was 2020 through the reporting of Exit News.
Fatos Lubonja is an Albanian writer, dissident and political critic. He was also a prisoner for 17 years during the brutal communist regime. He spent years in the notorious Spac prison where he was forced to work in the mines in abhorrent conditions. In this three-part series, Fatos explains the past, present, and future of Albania through his personal experiences.
Alice Taylor speaks to Dr Blerjana Bino, an academic, co-founder of SciDev and researcher for the Safe Journalists Network about the pattern of police brutality against journalists during protests in Albania. Last week, a policeman murdered a 25-year-old man. The killing sparked a wave of protests from youngsters that took place in the capital and other cities in the country. There was vandalism and unrest but the police responded with disproportionate force, the use of tear gas and pepper spray, and water cannons. Four journalists were arrested and spoke of their claims of physical abuse, human rights violations, and procedural irregularities during detention.
In the early hours of Tuesday 8 December, 25-year-old Klodian Rasha was shot by a policeman, twice from behind. It sparked protests across Albania, with youths demanding the resignation of Interior Minister Sander Lleshaj and Head of the State Police Ardi Veliu, as well as widespread reform. Alice Taylor explains, in a few words, what we know so far.
Exit News organised a conference as a part of the UNESCO World Press Freedom Conference 2020, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands in Albania, The Albanian Helsinki Committee, and the Albanian Media Council. The event took place on 3 December and a video of the event will be streamed at the international conference on 9 December.
The panelists and participants will discuss the challenges facing journalists due to the current media climate, the legal environment for journalists and media in Albania, the draft “anti-defamation package”, and the solutions that journalists and organisations are employing to improve standards of professionalism and promote media ethics. The panel comprises of journalist Alice Taylor, Co-Editor of Exit.al and board member of the Ethical Media Alliance, Koloreto Cukali, Director of the Albanian Media Council, Rezearta Caushaj Investigative Journalist at Exit.al, and the Executive Director of the Albanian Helsinki Committee, Erida Skendaj. It will be moderated by Neritan Sejamini, Co-Founder of Exit, political analyst, and journalist. An address is also given by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Albania, Guusje Korthals Altes.
Alice Taylor talks food, feminism, sustainable fashion, media freedom and how there's no such thing as 'fake activism', with Swedish Ambassador Elsa Hastad.
For many years, hopes of joining the EU have been a fundamental part of social and political discourse in Albania. As it stands today, the opening of the first chapter of the accession process is potentially just days away, all that's standing in the way are 15 conditions. Alice Taylor and Vincent van Gerven Oei discuss the reality of progress towards Albania's much deserved EU dream.
COVID-19 statistics are rising every day and while the government claims everything is under control, many aren't so sure. Neritan Sejamini and Alice Taylor discuss testing, transparency, restrictions, and the situation on the ground today.
This week, Albanian media has been dominated by a war of words between Prime Minister Edi Rama and Opposition Leader Lulzim Basha, as well as the. commencement of trials in the Kosovo Special Court of former Kosovo Liberation Army officials. From allegations of organ harvesting and a mysterious 'Yellow House', to the politicization of war crimes prior to a general election, Neritan Sejamini explains over 20 years of complex and sensitive history, in around half an hour.
Neritan Sejamini and Alice Taylor discuss the US elections in the Balkan context, how it will or will not impact Albania and Kosovo, and why Albanians love America so much.
For over 500 years, blood feuds have been a part of northern Albanian society. The authorities claim that they've almost completely died out, but the reality is more than 10,000 people have been killed in the name of revenge since the fall of communism. Today, more than 3000 families live with the constant fear of retaliatory killings, all in the name of honor. In this episode, Alice Taylor speaks to Dr. Elona Projj about infiltrating these communities and trying to break the cycle of blood.
Exit journalist Alice Taylor interviews environmental activist and entrepreneur Bers Gjashta. Topics include the seven day challenge, reducing food waste, and small sustainabile steps we can take to reduce our environmental footprint.
In this episode, Alice Taylor talks to Taulant Bino from the Albanian Ornithological Society about their work in Albania, the biggest threats to bird and wildlife, and the importance of raising awareness and promoting conservation.
An interview with Gentiana Susaj, a human rights lawyer, activist, mother, and the founder of Albania's very first aikido dojo. She explains how she has combined her love of martial arts with her desire to help young women and girls to be more assertive, protect themselves, and quite literally, kick ass.
Over 50% of Albanian women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. Attached to the subject is a lot of stigma, shame, and in many cases, a propensity to blame the victim. Elga Mitre has joined the conversation in a unique way, by creating an illustrated book of women's stories and experiences with violence
Exit news journalist Alice Taylor speaks to Albanian-American suicide survivor Rremida Shkoze and clinical psychologist Denisa Ndreka to discuss this difficult topic. Still taboo in Albanian society, suicide has been in the media recently as a spike in cases has been noted in the last two months, particularly with elderly people. So what's causing it, why is it taboo to be depressed, and how can we help ourselves and those around us deal with complex feelings? If you need to access free counseling, these organizations can help: Www.nukjevetem.al Www.Soslgbt.al For women and girls 042233408 For boys and men 042363712 Young people 116111
Alice Taylor discusses Albania's slow food movement, the Albanian wine industry and the importance of shopping local.