Albania history
The lights in Tirana shine brightly as the sun sets in the capital city of Albania. The air is rich with the smell of smoked lamb and beef. As in the days of the Ottoman Empire’s control, the richness of spices and the voices of many languages dance across the air. The culture and diversity associated with the modern day freedoms of Albania were not always as easily acquired as they are today.
Starting with the rise of Ottoman power, until the fall of the Soviet Union, Albania has seen the many facets of political regimes, war and turbulence, and a never-ending faith in the Albanian people.
1481 – 1912: Ottoman rule
At the end of the 1800’s Albania was still under the control of the Ottoman Empire. Ottoman rulers were suffering from a lack of control and respect within the provinces now known as Albania because of the Ottoman demands to convert to Islam from Christianity. Many Albanians were able to stifle the effects of the mass conversion by becoming prominent fixtures within the Ottoman system of government. As the turn of the century approached, the control the Ottoman Empire had over the people of Albania turned into all out revolt and uprising. Albania’s desire for independence was granted after the Balkan War of 1912 at great cost.
1912 – 1918
William of Wied, a German Prince who was offered the throne of the new Albanian government, ascertained his power in 1912, and officially took power in March of 1914. However, his reign was extremely short lived, as the peasant revolt forced him from the country in September of 1914, just at the rise of World War I. Albania’s government was then thrown into chaos. At the Treaty of London in 1915, Albania was divided between Italian, Serbian, and Greek powers. The land was partitioned and devastated as the war raged on in Europe. 1918 brought with it the end of the war, and Albania was left without a legitimate government and controlled by Serbian, French and Italian forces.
1919 – 1944
At the end of the First World War, political infighting and conflict became a regular occurrence within the Albanian government. Ahmed Bey Zogu gained power under heavy opposition in 1922. Zogu remained president until 1928 when he took the name of Zog I, King of the Albanians. Zog lead Albania into political, social, and financial ruin. His heavy dependence upon the Italian government and Mussolini was his inevitable demise as the Italians invaded Albania in 1938. Albanian resistance was significant, with many factions fighting against Italian invaders. The end of the Second World War instituted a quick and extreme rise of Socialism within Albania.
Quick fact!
King Zog was the only national leader in modern times to return fire during an assassination attempt.
1945 – present
Albania remained a Socialist government from 1945 until the institution of the new constitution in 1992. Despite a vast majority of Albanians opposing the Socialist government, Albania’s economy flourished under the Socialist government. Through both peaceful and violent protests and rebellions, Albania became a more democratic nation. The political environment of Albania is ever changing, yet the economy is increasingly more self-sufficient.
Albanian language and culture
Culture of Albania
The Republic of Albania is located in the southeastern part of Europe, with a coast on both the Adriatic and Ionic seas. Although a small country, Albania is well known and appreciated for its fine cuisine, sunny beaches and cultural festivals.
Cuisine
Although every region has its specific recipes, dishes and seasonings, the Albanian cuisine is strongly influenced by the Italian, Greek and Turkish gastronomy. In most parts of the country, traditional dishes are cooked with different types of meat – including lamb and rabbit.
Coastal cities are well-known for their seafood specialties and fresh vegetables. Traditional Albanian dishes are seasoned with Mediterranean herbs used in the Italian cuisine – oregano, basil, rosemary and mint. Moreover, olive oil is one of the most frequently used ingredients.
Traditions and festivals
The Summer Festival is celebrated every year on the 14th of March in the Albanian cities of Elbasan and Tirana. Just as the event is about to end, a circus show is organized in Rinia Park, where acrobats and magicians entertain audiences and passersby.
During the Tirana International Film Festival, cinema enthusiasts from all around the world participate in screenings, workshops and seminars. The festival usually takes place in April, so if you’ve planned your trip in spring, there will be many cultural events to attend.
Music
Albanian folk music enjoys a variety of regional influences. The tones are described as “rugged” or “heroic” in the north, whereas the southern music is said to be more “relaxed” and “gentle”. Popular music and traditions revolve around the city of Shkodër, one of the country’s most valuable cultural centers. Albania also possesses a wide classical music selection, including composers such as Lec Kurti, Fan S. Noli and Mikel Koliqi.
Languages of Albania
Albanian is the official language and is spoken by a large majority of the population. Albanian has two dialects; Gheg spoken by the population in the north of the country and Tosk, preferred in the southern part of the country.
Being a multilingual country, other languages like Greek and Italian are also widely spoken and so are Vlachs, Romani and Macedonian. English is also gaining popularity, especially with the younger generation.
Helpful Albanian words and phrases
Hello – C’kemi
Goodbye – Mirupafshim
Please – Ju lutem
Thank-you – falemnderit
My name is… – Mua më quajnë…
Where is…? – Ku është
I would like – Do të doja
I don’t speak Albanian – Nuq flas Shqip
Albania weather
Despite being a small country, Albania encompasses a variety of climatic regions, given its close proximity to the Adriatic and Ionic seas. Weather and temperatures vary greatly from north to south, with inland temperature variations being strongly influenced by elevation (height above sea level) rather than latitude. For example, temperatures around river basins are very high during the day, but tend to drop significantly after sunset.
Spring in Albania
Spring is probably the best season to visit Albania. Any traces of snow will have melted by the beginning of March, and spring temperatures are generally very pleasant (15-20°C) irrespective of the part of the country you’re visiting. For your best comfort, you should take a sweater or a jacket, with a short-sleeve shirt and an umbrella for the occasionally shower.
Summer in Albania
In the peak tourist season, inland temperatures can reach 32°C, whereas temperatures on the Albanian coast are a bit cooler, allowing tourists to escape the exhausting summer heat. Given the low humidity, it’s safe to travel without an umbrella, although you should pack a long sleeve shirt or a thin jacket if you’re planning to visit the coast.
Autumn in Albania
Mild temperatures and low precipitation make September a fantastic time to plan your trip, given the country’s warm Mediterranean climate. Rain gets more frequent in October, so don’t forget to pack an umbrella or a raincoat. Average maximum temperatures stand between 15 to 21°C during the following months of the season, while average lows range between 5 to 9°C.
Winter in Albania
Rainfall is common during this season, although temperatures are unlikely to drop below the freezing point – in fact, Albanian winters are mild and sometimes quite warm. Temperatures of 10°C are not uncommon, so there’s no need to pack a dozen overcoats or heavy, thick sweaters.
Average temperatures in Tirana, Shkoder and Korce
Average rainfall in Tirana, Shkoder and Korce
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