Stories about Albania
Albania's democracy hangs by a thread as opposition quits parliament, launches mass protests
The EU and other Western powers criticized the lawmakers' decision. NATO-member Albania aims to begin full EU-membership negotiations in 2019.
Pro-Russia biker club admits participation in protests leading to violent attack of Macedonian Parliament
The revelations of the Night Wolves involvement are important because it flashes out the right-wing populist party VMRO-DPMNE's connections with the Kremlin.
The Alliance for the Protection of Theatre fights to preserve Albania's cultural heritage
"Do not erase the collective memory of the generations. Any new theatre is welcome but we do not have to destroy the old one."
Deki the Balkan Lynx Is All Grown Up, Photos Show, but His Species Remains in Trouble
There are only an estimated few dozen individual Balkan lynx left in the wild.
Albanian Activists Hold Two-Day Protest Against the Building of Hydropower Plants in Valbona National Park
There are three hydropower plants under construction, and eight more are being considered by the Ministry of Energy in the pristine natural heritage areas across Albania.
Albanian Prime Minister Insults Journalists After Parliament Votes to Protect Lawmaker From Arrest
The Albanian Journalists' Union condemned "that such behavior and insulting communication is directly related to the dire situation faced by journalism in Albania."
A Win for Citizen Activism After UNESCO Asks Macedonia to Stop All Construction Projects on Lake Ohrid
Lake Ohrid in Macedonia is the oldest lake in the European continent but the previous Macedonian government wanted the natural heritage area to be converted into a mega resort.
How Balkan Egyptians Are Asserting Their Identity and Fighting Discrimination in Macedonia
"Our community is just a small part of the Balkan cultural mosaic, but nevertheless it provides important contribution to the overall European diversity."
ISIS Attempts to Exploit Balkan War Wounds With Localized Propaganda
The region has a painful legacy of war that has divided people along ethnic and religious lines.
Critics Say Albanian Parliament Is Trying to Amnesty Crooked Politicians, Under Pretext of Judicial Reform
Following protests, Albania's president has rejected legislation that could have spared the hides of many corrupt politicians. But it could still become law, regardless.
Mystery Oil-Like Substance Pollutes Macedonia and Albania's Lake Ohrid
It's just one of a long list of threats to Europe's oldest lake that are putting its World Heritage designation in jeopardy.
A Three-Minute Online Video Explains the Essence of Balkan Nationalisms
"Every country in the Balkans believes that it should be bigger than it is."
Yugoslav Comic ‘Dikan’ Is Back to Remind Us We're All Descendants of Migrants in Some Way or Another
"Finally, we, the Early Slavs, have inhabited the Internet, too. We bid you a warm welcome and pleasant stay."
A Photo Contest Captures the Stunning Flora and Fauna of Macedonia and Albania's Lake Ohrid
Shots capture mute swans, various freshwater fish and crustaceans and even some house furniture at the lake.
Albanian Activists Rally Against a ‘Concrete’ End for Tirana's Last Public Park
"...the voice and perspective raised by numerous civic movements has met with outright arrogance by the Tirana Municipality authorities..."
Macedonians Attempt to Exorcise the Phantom Voters Haunting Their Country
Macedonians tackle massive election fraud involving phantom voters and other "ghouls" through creative protest and combing the online Voters' Registry.
When Elections Are a Joke, the People Tell Election Jokes
Election fraud and other misdeeds have been a widespread problem in the Balkans. As the saying goes, 'If I didn't laugh, I'd cry.'
Albanian Police Use Force Against Protesters Defending the Capital's Last Public Park
One police officer was heard threatening them with the words: "There will be blood!"
