and Balkan Europe
by IECOB & AIS Università di Bologna
You are on the Portal on Central
Eastern and Balkan Europe (PECOB),
a project promoted by IECOB and AIS.
Albanian villages
These pictures have been taken by the author in the area of the Gomisque, Korpul and Fercc villages. Located in the mountains in the centre-north of Albania these small centres are spread in a beautiful and rocky region from Scutari down to the Pukë territory.
01.Crossing the Gomsique river
To get to villages there are many steep rocky paths; to cross valleys, locals set up simple bridges made of rope and wood.
See the picture "Crossing the Gomsique river"
02. Land ready to be cultivated
Agriculture is the main activity in the region. Cultivation of corn and vines are the most widespread, but of course there is a basic cultivation of different vegetables and potatoes. Many fields are not being tilled since a large emigration has significantly diminished the local population.
See the picture "Land ready to be cultivated"
03. The farmer's house
Houses in the villages are rather far from each other. The interior is charcterised by a low vault and earth pavement. Most families do not have access to electricity.
See the picture "The farmer's house "
04. Drying the clothes
Family life takes place in the house's courtyard. Here is where women cook and dry clothes.
See the picture "Drying the clothes"
05. Grandma in typical clothes
Older people still wear traditional clothes. This woman is wearing a christian cross testifying is faith. Catholicism, while being a minority faith in Albania, is the most widespread faith in this region of villages.
See the picture "Grandma in typical clothes"
06. Onions in the backyards
A typical view of a village house: in the backyard, covered by a pergola, onions, a very basic element of the villagers' diet, are drying at the sun.
See the picture "Onions in the backyards"
07. The kitchen garden
Every family grows a kitchen garden next to the house in order to have vegetables and fruits for their daily diet.
See the picture "The kitchen garden"
08. Some children from the villages
There are many children and they are very active. some of them have to walk up to two hours through dangerous paths in order to get to the closest school.
See the picture "Some children from the villages"
09. Cemetery of a village
The are some striking aspects in the simplciity of life in these villages. For example, in the local cemetery only bare stones in an uncoltivated field signal the presence of graves.
See the picture "Cemetery of a village"
10. The Gomsique river bed
The river has not an embankment but flows freely according to the water flow of the season.
See the picture "The Gomsique river bed"
11. Making the rakja
In the courtyard men produce rakja, the strong alchoolic drink made from the fermentation of fruit. In this case, plums are the basic ingredient.
See the picture "Making the rakja"
PECOB: Portal on Central Eastern and Balkan Europe - University of Bologna - 117, c.so della Repubblica - Italy
