Albanian migration has spurred a generation of artists to reflect on issues of identity and belonging

Tue, 3 Jan 2023 19:42:12 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/albanian-migration-has-spurred-a-generation-of-artists-to-reflect-on-issues-of-identity-and-belonging-196417>

"There’s been a great deal of xenophobia directed at Albanian immigrants to the
UK recently. It’s easy to argue that Albanians are being scapegoated for the
current crisis in Britain’s migration system. But prejudice against Albanians
across Europe is not new.

After the collapse of communism in 1990, poverty, financial instability and
unemployment forced Albanians to emigrate, many to Greece and Italy. In these
two countries, Albanians have been constant victims of discrimination, often
facing racist violence.

The 2008 financial crisis hit Italy and Greece harder than most. In recent
years Albanians have been migrating to northern European countries, including
the UK. Yet again, they are facing similar discrimination.

Many see Albanian migration as a direct outcome of the neoliberal policies made
after the country transitioned from dictatorship to democracy. But little is
told about the experience of being an Albanian immigrant. Artists, however,
have been trying to show their side, examining borders and making complex
stories of migration more visible."

Cheers,
       *** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net               Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/                 Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/            Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/               Manager, Serious Cybernetics

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