The Pyramid of Tirana: From Hoxha’s Museum to Tech Hub
Piramida went from a 1988 museum for dictator Enver Hoxha to a graffiti ruin kids slid down, then reopened in 2023 as Tirana’s free-to-climb tech hub.
History
History
The Canadian Who Gave Us Back Our Own Books: Gheg Literature, Told Through Robert Elsie
A foreigner buried in Theth spent his life translating northern Albania’s Gheg literature — Fishta, Bogdani, Migjeni — back into reach. Here’s the tradition, told through him.
The Albanians Who Have Lived in Sicily for 500 Years — And Are Now Calling Us Home
Five Sicilian villages have spoken Albanian since 1488. Now their mayors want a direct flight from Tirana. Here’s the story of the Arbëreshë — and why I think you should put one of their towns on your travel list.
Albania’s Path to the EU: Where Things Stand in 2026
Key Takeaways Albania applied for EU membership in 2009, gained candidate status in 2014, and opened accession negotiations in 2022
Albania and Iran: 30 Years of a Complicated Relationship
Key Takeaways Albania has hosted approximately 3,000 members of the Iranian dissident group MEK (Mojahedin-e Khalq) since 2013, at the
Albanian History for Beginners: From Illyrians to Today
Key Takeaways Albanians are among Europe’s oldest peoples — descendants of the ancient Illyrians who lived in the western Balkans
What Was Communist Albania Really Like? A Local’s Perspective
Key Takeaways Albania was under communist rule for 47 years (1944-1991) — one of the most isolated and extreme regimes