Renowned Albanian writer, Elvira Dones, has reacted in support of the massive protests that have been taking place in Tirana for 12 days, where thousands of citizens are demanding the removal of the government and the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
Through a long post on social media, Dones expresses that he is following the protests with emotion and describes the gatherings of citizens who have taken to the streets to raise their voices as a “miracle”.
“I have followed and followed every night and every morning, overcome by emotions approaching an emotional earthquake. I have no wise words, as many bright pens in Albania and in the diaspora have written beautifully, lucidly. I would not know how to write better… What I see is the miracle of the crowds in the squares,” she writes.
Dones also stops at Prime Minister Rama, raising the question: “How does Edi Rama sleep?”, while saying that he, “besides the arrogance, lies, mockery, and scorn he makes to crowds in the squares, besides the accusations of international conspiracies, is in difficulty, and that he would rather die than admit it to himself.”
The writer also recalls the support she gave to Rama in 2013, describing that choice today as a disappointment.
“Edi Rama, in 2013 we trusted you. I, among many others, hoping for a different Albania. Personally, I think it was the biggest mistake I made,” she says.
At the end of her reaction, Dones calls on the prime minister to step down and pave the way for change.
“Now I invite you to let the country breathe. Your current force is a ridiculous opposition, which suits you. But, Rama, let Albania make other mistakes. You have no right to make Albania a sacrifice for your sick ambition,” the writer concludes.
Full post:
I don’t know how the Albanian Prime Minister sleeps and wakes up; I have no way of knowing.
Plato, in his work “The Republic”, compared sleep to the world of shadows and illusions, suggesting that during sleep the mind brings to the surface reflections of reality, rather than (or instead of) truth. During sleep, the subconscious – which during the day normally suppresses and subdues the bestial nature of the individual – does not leave us alone at night. Truth and one’s own perception of reality are always at war with each other.
I took it far and far away. But I am far away, physically, these weeks, from my birthplace and also from Switzerland, my adopted country. I have been following it night and day, overcome by emotions approaching an emotional earthquake.
I don’t have any wise words, as many brilliant pens in Albania and in the diaspora have written beautifully and lucidly. I wouldn’t know how to write better.
But here, I have the sleeping job. How does Edi Rama sleep? Apart from the arrogance, lies, mockery and scorn he makes to the crowds in the squares; apart from the accusations of international conspiracies. He is in trouble, and would rather die than admit it to himself. I guess that the slaves of his administration are also in trouble, but they would rather do sepuku than have the courage to tell the boss: We are committing suicide.
What I see is the wonder of the crowds in the squares.
Those people sleep well: my grandchildren sleep well, the elderly and the younger generation unbound by party chains sleep well.
Whoever is protesting sleeps well, because they know they are doing something for the country, because when the knife has been through you again and again, you have nothing left to lose. But they can tell themselves that they were there. They protest, exhausted from lowering their heads; exhausted from being considered flora and fauna.
Edi Rama, in 2013 we trusted you. I, among many others, hoping for another Albania. Personally, I think it was the biggest mistake I made. Errare humanum est. Your Albanian once, Rama, was brilliant. You were the man outside the schemes; even your eccentricity seemed worthy of another Albania.
Now Edi Rama, even your Albanian has become poor. When I hear and read you, I get goosebumps.
Now I invite you to let the country breathe. Your current strength is a ridiculous opposition that suits you.
But, Rama, let Albania make other mistakes.
You have no right to make Albania a sacrifice for your sick ambition.
