Country Spotlight: Albania

In the mountains of Albania, ancient castles exist next to rushing waterfalls spraying mist over lush trees. Orange and olive groves grow in abundance, providing a keystone of the country’s diet. Many citizens have lived in Albania for generations, soaking this country in deep tradition.

Albania is the 136th most populated country in the world with a population of 2.79 million people, making it a very small country. Because of this, many traditions and religions are widespread throughout the country. 

One of the deeply ingrained traditions of Albania is called Xhiro. “Xhiro” in Albanian means “walk” in English, aptly defining a tradition where every day in the early evenings many Albanians go out to walk and socialize. Vendors congregate on the beaches, tempting passersby with food and trinkets. Strangers and old friends alike enjoy each other’s company as they wander the streets, the shores, and the trails. This often happens at sunset, so many Albanians enjoy the different colors of the sky while walking.

Albanian food is similar to the general Mediterranean diet, but with some traditional flair as well. The Albanian diet is very healthy, with many dishes centered around vegetables and meat. Olive oil is in almost every dish, serving as the mainly-used oil in Albania for food. Olive oil is also very popular in products like soap as well!

One of the most popular and traditional dishes in Albanian cuisine is called fërgesë. Fërgesë is a dish made with tomatoes, cottage cheese, and peppers. It has a thick texture, making it like an extra-creamy stew. Fërgesë is usually only eaten with bread. However, it may be eaten with another staple called borek (also spelled byrek). Borek is a pastry made with phyllo (a crunchy pastry also used to make baklava), swirled and baked, producing layers of delicious pastry. It’s eaten throughout the whole day in Albania, from breakfast to a late-night snack.

The Albanian language is very interesting, being different from the languages of its neighboring countries: Greece, North Macedonia, and Montenegro. Its origin is still uncertain, but it is one of the oldest languages in the region. Albanian is spoken mostly in Albania, but also in parts of Kosovo and Macedonia. There are about nine dialects of Albanian spoken, but the main two are called Tosk and Geg.

Most of Albania is Islamic as of 2020. However, it wasn’t always this way. In the period after World War Two, religion was banned in Albania. Communists felt that religion and especially Catholicism was a threat to society and campaigned against it, leading to Albania being called the “first atheist country.” Many were sentenced to jail time for simply believing in their own religion. This oppression lasted for 51 years, until in 1990 a new leader of the country named Ramiz Alia lifted the ban and allowed free expression of religion.

Albania was and is a land of beautiful mountains, traditional food, and kind people. It has a unique language and is a place where all religions are celebrated and recognized. Many of its ancient traditions are still relevant today.