Free: Coming of Age at the End of History by Lea Ypi

Original version

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

BBC Radio 4 LW

Free: Coming of Age at the End of History by Lea Ypi: Episode 4

Episode 4

BBC Radio 4 - Free: Coming of Age at the End of History by Lea Ypi, Episode 4

Lea Ypi looks back to 1991 when the first multi-party elections are held in Albania.

The results of the first multi-party elections held in Albania in 1991 triggered widespread protests and much disillusionment. The author is coming of age as history is being made.

Lea Ypi grew up in one of the most isolated countries on earth, a place where communist ideals had officially replaced religion. Having been dominated by the Ottoman Empire for the best part of five centuries, Albania became independent and then briefly a monarchy ruled by the self-appointed King Zog in the early 20th century. 

After being occupied first by the Italians and then the Germans in World War II, a new republic was created in 1945. Under the leadership of the dicatator, Enver Hoxha, Albania became the last Stalinist outpost in Europe. It was almost impossible to visit, almost impossible to leave. It was a place of queuing and scarcity, of political executions and secret police. 

To Lea, it was home. People were equal, neighbours helped each other, and children were expected to build a better world. There was community and hope.

Then, in December 1990, a year after the fall of the Berlin Wall, everything changed. The statues of Stalin and Hoxha were toppled. Almost overnight, people could vote freely, wear what they liked and worship as they wished. There was no longer anything to fear from prying ears. But factories shut, jobs disappeared, and thousands fled to Italy on crowded ships, only to be sent back. Predatory pyramid schemes eventually bankrupted the country, leading to violent conflict. 

As one generation's aspirations became another's disillusionment, and as her own family's secrets were revealed, Lea found herself questioning what freedom really meant.

The music used is from the famous Albanian song "A Pickaxe in One Hand, A Riﬂe in the Other" (Ansambli Amator Artistik I Qytetit Të Tiranës "Në ǋërën Dorë Kazmën, Në Tjetrën Pushkën") recorded by the Amateur Art Ensemble in 1968. The first few bars of the song were also used as the interval signal on Radio Tirana.


Written and read by Lea Ypi
Abridged by Jill Waters and Isobel Creed
Produced by Jill Waters 

A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Audiobooks

Podcasts

Factual

Lea Ypi's account of growing up in communist Albania in the 1980s and 90s.

Book of the Week. Lea Ypi's account of growing up in communist Albania, one of the most isolated places on earth, in the 1980s and 90s.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Free: Coming of Age at the End of History by Lea Ypi

Episode 4

Genres

Series

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4