Discovering Albania
As the airplane descended over Albania, snow-capped mountains seemed to jet straight up out of the earth. Local villages were scattered over the rough landscape while towns centered around mountain-top lakes. Before arriving, I had no idea that most of Albania stood at high altitude with only the capital city of Tirana and the adjacent coastline standing on sea level. It is a country of much contrast. From the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic Sea to the rocky Alp-like cliffs, this Mediterranean nation hosts a variety of climates and terrains.
I had come to Albania share about my experiences in North Korea and launch the Albanian translation of my book Discovering Joy: Ten Years in North Korea. Full of anticipation, I was eager to learn about the Albanian people and their interest in North Korea.
Interview for the Albanian translation of Discovering Joy: Ten Years in North Korea
It is no secret that Albania and North Korea share a common history. The rise of communism in Albania began in October 1941. By 1955, Albania had become a model Stalinist state adapting Soviet models for almost every aspect of Albanian life.
Slowly Albania changed, though, with economic reforms that led to the opening of the country to Western Europe in 1985. By 1990, North Korea and Albania diverged. Albania became the last of the European countries, outside the USSR, to completely abandon communist rule in December 1990. Whereas, North Korea remained steadfast with Juche and communist philosophies up until today.
Albanian Headquarters from the Communist Era
But while I was in Albania, I learned of an even greater connection between Koreans and Albanians. Unbeknownst to much of the world, like Korea, Albanians were divided into several nations at the end of World War II. The country initially had a larger domain than it does today. Regardless, beyond their control, the Albanian borders were drawn by the powers of that day, and as a result, Albanians were separated amongst the nations of Macedonia, Kosovo, and Albania. Just like North and South Korea, their people continue to remain divided today.
As I shared stories from our family’s life and work in North Korea, I discovered a deep understanding and passion for reconciliation from the Albanian people. Although the current generation of Albanians have grown up in a different system and lifestyle, the older generation has continued to pass down stories from their nation’s communist era. I found that Albanians received my book with much interest and gratitude.
Similar to the landscape, Albanians also have a great spirit of tenacity. Perhaps the best example of this is the radical hospitality displayed by the entire town of Kukes. During the Kosovo conflict in 1999, Albanian refugees fled Kosovo in droves. Being located along the northern border with Kosovo, Kukes took in approximately 450,000 refugees during the conflict. Despite not having resources and the overwhelming number of people, they courageously opened up their homes to the fleeing Albanians. As a result, Tirana honored the town by rebuilding it near a picturesque reservoir, and Kukes became the only town in the world to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000.
Apparently, Albanians have potential to serve as a bridge between North Korea and the world. Their unique understanding and historical experiences lend them to understanding North Korea at a deeper level while also serving as a bridge between the West and socialist nations.
Both Albania and North Korea have lived through traumatic experiences. In fact, the whole world is wounded in one way or another. But it is when we bond over our common hurts and wounds that we learn how to move past the pain and into hope. It is with this posture of embrace that we are all called to serve through radical hospitality. Therefore, it is my hope that by serving as wounded healers, Albanians may shine a glimmer of hope to the people of North Korea.