FLASH
Shkruar nga Clare Nuttall
From the national symbol of the double-headed eagle to the flamingo of the protests at the Narta Lagoon, birds have taken on an unusual role in Albanian political language. In a country where birds have long been part of identity and folklore, feathered metaphors have become powerful tools for expressing social and political conflicts.
Every evening, protesters gather in front of the office of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, holding banners, chanting slogans and demanding his resignation. But amid the messages denouncing corruption, the rising cost of living and a questionable model of luxury tourism development, one image has become the symbol of this movement: the flamingo.
The pink migratory birds, which gather every year in the protected Narta Lagoon near Vlora, have become an emblem of opposition to plans to build a luxury resort, backed by a group of international investors, including Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump.
Initially, the protesters' main concern was the potential impact of the project on one of Albania's most important wetland ecosystems. But over time, the evening protests have broadened to include accusations of corruption, concerns about education, and dissatisfaction with living standards.
Every night, protesters demand Rama's removal from the post of prime minister. In a country where birds play an important role in folklore, national identity and political language, the flamingo has become part of a long tradition of using bird symbolism in public debate.
The national symbol of Albania is the double-headed eagle, which stands in the center of the red flag and is closely associated with the Albanian name for the country, Albania, which is often interpreted as "Land of Eagles".
The country's inhabitants call themselves "Albanians," a term traditionally associated with the eagle, symbolizing strength, freedom, and national unity. The golden eagle, once widespread in the country's mountainous regions, also remains an important national icon, although environmentalists warn that habitat destruction, poisoning, and illegal hunting have contributed to its decline.
But not all birds carry the same positive meaning. In Albanian folklore, crows and ravens are associated with misfortune, death, and the spread of evil words, while the owl has traditionally been seen as a bad omen.
These cultural associations have long been used by politicians. Prime Minister Edi Rama has often referred to his political opponents as "crows and ravens," accusing them of spreading pessimism and chaos.
Defending the Zvërnec tourist project in late June, he made a symbolic division between protesters and supporters of his government. “Flamingos, crows and ravens are divided by the same line that separates peace from violence. The former want a better, fairer and cleaner Albania, while the latter want an Albania of hooliganism, violence and filth,” Rama wrote on Facebook.
He added that “the flamingos will get what they want, while the losers of this protest will get what the crows and ravens deserve.” These metaphors were brought back again this week, when Rama defended the government’s decision to support a Kanye West concert with 4 million euros, arguing that the event would bring in tourism revenue and international attention.
"Now the crows and ravens of social media are full of spectacles making perverse claims about unscrupulous manipulators," he wrote, accusing critics of spreading misinformation about public spending.
Rama further accused his opponents of trying to "stop and reclaim Albania" through "arbitrary violence, insults, accusations and threats."
On July 8, the leader of the Socialist Party Parliamentary Group, Taulant Balla, published on Facebook a photo of two protesters who had verbally attacked him during a visit to Strasbourg, accompanied by the caption: "Here are two crows!".
But birds have been part of Albanian political battles even before. Before the 2025 parliamentary elections, Rama repeatedly attacked opposition leader Sali Berisha, portraying him as a “tawny owl” in a series of videos on social media.
Berisha responded by appearing at a press conference with a white stuffed owl in his hands. "You cannot insult me by calling me an owl. The owl has been a symbol of wisdom, knowledge and decision-making for thousands of years," he declared.
For many Albanians, this clash was entertaining, but it also brought criticism that the political debate had turned into a spectacle of symbols and jokes, while economic and social problems still remained unresolved.
However, the flamingo protest has brought about an important change. Unlike the political labels created by politicians, this symbol was naturally embraced by citizens who demanded the protection of the Narta Lagoon, an area that shelters thousands of migratory birds every year and is considered one of Albania's most important natural habitats.
In a country where birds have for centuries carried meanings beyond the natural world, the latest political battle in Albania has once again taken on the wings of birds./ Adapted from "Pamphlet" by "IntelliNews"
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