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Photo gallery of
Albania, Europe's most unique ex-Communist Muslim nation
by James Mayfield (Chairman, European Heritage Library)
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this Article • About
the Author • Bibliography/Sources
This is a rare collection
of photographs of Albania, a unique European country like
no other, with a bizarre language and heritage of its own.
A half-century of Communist dictatorship made this nation
one of the most economically ruined of Europe, a tragic stand-still
of decline and entropy. It is Europe's only Muslim-majority
nation along with Kosovo, which is ethnically Albanian as
well. Please read this article
to see my observations that go with these photos from my research
trip. Also read my essay on the 540-year
struggle for an Albanian homeland, and 540 for Kosovo
to understand the history of this proud people. The photos
were taken by me during my 2007 vacation.
Enver Hoxha, the communist dictator who ruled Albania for
nearly a half-century
Albanian men stand idly in the cities for hours at a time
In "developing" cities, most of the city is desolated
and demolished with improvident construction projects (CLICK
TO ENLARGE)
My photo of an Albanian housing tract. The houses are delapidated
and in very close proximity (CLICK TO ENLARGE)
Albania has housing projects that were developed during the
Communist regime of Enver Hoxha and his successors Ramiz Alia
and Sali Berisha. The majority are broken-down with trash
littering the streets. The ruins below are of a synagogue
that the migrating Slavs demolished after the 5th century.
Slavs often argue that the Albanians are simply uncultured
Slavs. The Albanians insist that they are proud ancient
Illyrians (CLICK TO ENLARGE)
My photo of a building with the paint peeled off, partially
burnt, and broken down. It seems abandoned, but it is not.
This is typical of the whole city in Saranda (CLICK TO ENLARGE)
clothes hanging to dry atop a broken and ruined home. This
is ubiquitous.
the city from above.
another photo of mine of the houses against the backdrop of
the lush valley.
a traditional Albanian home. The rural areas of Albania are
literally reminiscent of the feudal age.
one of Albania's few churches after the Turkish Jihad and
Communist periods.
the town's sole notable mosque. Sunni and quite plain.
an Albanian "family" pillbox bunker.
the beautiful Blue Eye spring.
________________________________________
ABOUT
THE AUTHOR:
James Mayfield is a historian
and the Chairman of the European Heritage Library. I have
a Cum Laude BA in History with a Minor in Germanic Studies
(language and history), am presently working for my Masters
in History, and plan to immediately progress to my PhD Doctorate.
I have a special academic interest in Europe's diverse ethnic
identities, languages, and cultures, and the political struggles
of native European and immigrant minority identities. See
my staff entry for more information.
BIBLIOGRAPHY/SOURCES
USED:
Personal photos and observations.
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