Albanian revolt 1997

In Albania, just two years ago, a sudden explosion of popular rage eloquently demonstrated that the state only persists thanks to the gracious complicity of its subjects. When this complicity ends,structures that appeared invincible disintegrate overnight...

INTRODUCTION

The following article was one of two written by collaborators of "Alpha", a weekly Greek anarchist paper and published in issue 89, 7 April 1997. The first one is a report on the experiences of E.P. in the Albanian south between 20 - 25 March, plus two characteristic dialogues.

This is the first of two articles written by two collaborators of "Alpha", a weekly Greek anarchist paper and published in issue 89, 7 April 1997

The uprising that took Albania to the brink of revolution in 1997 was not supposed to happen – the Albanians, we were told, had shaken off their Stalinist masters and were now enjoying their new found capitalist freedom.

From Communism #11

"The atmosphere in Gjirokaster is mad. Popular revolt transforms itself into total anarchy, there are no more police, no more State, no more rules. The city is exuding enthusiasm, blossoming, has become excited by rebellion."
(Le Monde - 11/3/1997)