July 2020 - The Balkanista

Agr.al - Linking Rural Farmers with Urban Consumers

July 29, 2020July 29, 2020The Balkanista

If you travel around Albania, you cannot fail to miss the abundance of farmland. Rolling fields, fertile plains, and pastures home to all different kinds of crops. Driving through almost any part of the country, you are also sure to notice farmers by the side of the road selling all manner of fresh fruit and […]

Quality picks

Fustanella Farm: a traditional culinary delight!

July 21, 2020July 21, 2020The Balkanista

Located a 20-minute drive from Tirana, Fustanella Farm sits below the castle of Petrele overlooking a picturesque valley. An organic restaurant, Fustanella uses seasonal ingredients that are grown in the grounds of the farm. Meat, for the time being, is sourced from local farmers. The menu changes daily and is based on whatâ€™s good, fresh, […]

The butterfly effect and my journey to Albania

July 16, 2020July 16, 2020The Balkanista

When people ask me why or how I came to Albania, I smile and usually give a somewhat diluted version of events. In actual fact, the reason that I ended up living here is down to a seemingly unconnected chain of events, some small, some big, that ultimately ended up in me being where I […]

A new exhibition highlighting the work of Southern Albanian artists

July 15, 2020July 15, 2020The Balkanista

A new exhibition has opened at the Galeria e Bregdetit in Radhime. Running until 2 August, it showcases the world of three artists from the South of Albania- Ledia Kostandini, Theo Napoloni, and Sead Kazanxhiu. Having spent the most part of their lives living in the 30-years of transition from Communism, their work is punctuated […]

SOFRA: Coming Out, as an Albanian Woman

July 9, 2020July 9, 2020The Balkanista

Rremida Shkoza is an Albanian-born, US citizen. She is a real estate broker and lives in North Carolina with her wife. A few years ago, I had the opportunity to go back to Albania to do research for my memoir that I am currently writing. It was the third time I returned to Albania since my […]

Agriturizem Hylli Drites, a gem of Zadrima

July 6, 2020July 6, 2020The Balkanista

Located about 20 minutes outside of Lezhe, overlooking the Zadrima Plain, Agriturizem Hylli Drites is an exceptional destination offering a restaurant and small hotel. It sits on a small hill in the Troshan district, not far from Fishte. A few minutes drive from Hylli Drites is the Kallmet winery that makes some of the best […]

Albaniaâ€™s medicinal herb industry and the challenges it faces

July 3, 2020July 3, 2020The Balkanista

In the north of Albania, on a plain between Lake Shkodra and the Albanian Alps, is the heart of Albaniaâ€™s medicinal herb industry. The air here is thick with the scent of flowers and the incessant buzzing of bees. With the harsh sun beating down from a cloudless sky, dozens of workers pick and gather […]

Month: July 2020

Agr.al - Linking Rural Farmers with Urban Consumers

Quality picks

Fustanella Farm: a traditional culinary delight!

The butterfly effect and my journey to Albania

A new exhibition highlighting the work of Southern Albanian artists

SOFRA: Coming Out, as an Albanian Woman

Agriturizem Hylli Drites, a gem of Zadrima

Albaniaâ€™s medicinal herb industry and the challenges it faces

Categories

The fight to protect the Vjosa continues as European scientists visit Albania

Third edition of Albanian Diaspora Conference ‘Diaspora Fletâ€™ heads to Kosova

Call for applications from Albanian civil servants in capacity building scheme

After UK drop, EU sees decline in Albanian asylum seekers in 2023