North and South
It's the mid-90s and Joanna Robertson explores Albania's rural north and riotous south.
The Essay · BBC Radio 3
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Show Notes
It's the mid-90s and Joanna Robertson explores Albania's traditional north, where she finds lives are still led according to ancient rules codified in the 'Kanun'. It's a place where innocent young men are doomed to live in hiding to avoid being killed in blood feuds, and where for a woman to be unmarried is either a deep shame, or an honour - if she lives life as a man, in the absence of male siblings.
In the country's south, the collapse of a pyramid scheme in which many lost everything leads to an anti-government uprising in the city of Vlore. When demonstrators are killed, Vlore swears revenge.
Presenter: Joanna Robertson Producer: Arlene Gregorius
Photo: 'Theth - waiting for transport’ by Stan Sherer from the book, ‘Long Life to Your Children!’