Rallies in Albania against a proposed coastal development have drawn international attention, amplified by the project's connection to Jared Kushner, former advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump, and a distinctive symbol adopted by protesters: flamingos.
The "Flamingo Revolution," as the movement has become known, involves thousands of demonstrators marching nightly in the capital, Tirana, and holding aloft cut-out flamingo figures. The protests target a luxury development planned for two locations: a resort on the island of Sazan and a coastal project in the Narta Lagoon, an area recognized as a wildlife reserve.
Environmentalists and citizens express outrage over the project's proposed location, citing concerns that it would devastate a pristine natural habitat. Protesters are demanding the project's halt, citing a perceived lack of transparency and a history of unmet environmental standards in similar developments.
Fatma Paja, a 28-year-old artist and one of the movement's active members, explained that her group created the flamingo cut-outs used in demonstrations. She leads chants, such as "Albania is not for sale!" and "Don't touch Narta!" Paja stated that the project lacks a legal basis and has not been supported by studies on its potential environmental damage. She believes the protests have already galvanized public engagement and fostered solidarity due to their non-partisan nature.
Arben Kola, a tour guide and an early participant in the protests, has witnessed Albania's tourism boom, with visitors drawn to its undeveloped coastline. He views the development as an abuse of power and corruption, particularly the alleged privatization and giveaway of land. Albania's anti-corruption agency has opened an investigation into aspects of the project, though the government asserts the land is privately owned.
Prime Minister Edi Rama has dismissed environmental objections as misinformation, positioning the development as a move to attract significant foreign investment to Albania. Rama confirmed Kushner's involvement in the project, though the exact nature of his investment role remains unclear. The prime minister stated that a formal environmental impact assessment has not yet begun, as the development plan is still being shaped by international architects and environmental specialists.
Kola, however, expressed concern that land clearing within the nature reserve has already commenced, citing the presence of heavy machinery. He acknowledged surprise at the scale the protests have achieved.
Bujare Ishmi, a 70-year-old former engineer, has joined the nightly demonstrations, carrying a placard stating, "You have the power of crime, we have the power of truth." Protesters affectionately call her "Nona," an Albanian term for an elderly female relative, signifying her role as a matriarchal figure within the movement. Ishmi described Albania's political system as a "half-hearted democracy" and, while not opposing foreign investment, emphasized the need for transparency and adherence to proper parameters, especially concerning the location of such projects.