Impress your friends over coffee with these interesting tidbits stemming from Albanian history, tradition, culture, and folklore. Did you know that many years ago, a bat was considered an omen of death? If one flew into your house, it was believed that someone would die. Scanderbegs sister-in-law was an Orthodox saint called Angelina of Kruja? […]
Continue ReadingIn ancient Gjirokaster, Sheikh Ali Dost Dede was a revered and respected individual. One day his body was found, limp and lifeless and the population of the town believed that he had succumbed to the plague. Fearful of their lives and of suffering a similar fate, they took to the hills and villages nearby for […]
Continue ReadingToday has been an awful day- one that has ended two weeks of harassment that has almost broken me. Almost, not quite. Instead of caving in to the campaign of harassment and intimidation launched against me for daring to pursue my profession, I have decided to write a list of the things that I love […]
Continue ReadingOn the placid shores of Lake Shkodra, a debate is raging between Albanian fishermen on one side, and Montenegrin fishermen on the other. The Lake that straddles the two countries is home to a wide variety of fish- notably the European eel, leaping mullet, thinlip mullet, and twait shad. Unfortunately now, all of these are […]
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As they grey dampness of winter begins to lift, there is a distinct feel of spring in the air throughout the streets of Tirana. The temperature is firmly in double digits, the sun is higher in the sky, birds seem to be signing a little louder, and I have found myself peeling off my multiple […]
Continue ReadingFriday the 8thof March is otherwise known as International Women’s day- a global celebration of womanhood, the women’s rights movement, and in some cases, a day of protest against oppression and inequality. This year, a protest has been organised in Tirana as a demonstration against the wall of silence that those demanding better rights for […]
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