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The Essay

In Albania

North and South

Duration: 14 minutes

First broadcast: on BBC Radio 3Latest broadcast: on BBC Radio 3

Available for over a year

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!’ Show less

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