RURALB

Bukë e krypë e zemër / Bread, salt, and heart

The need to return to my roots often takes me back to Albania, where I document the challenges the country continues to face. In 2021, I began the RURALB project in the region of Theth, later expanding it across Albania, with a focus on rural life. As the world grows increasingly urbanized, I find it essential to capture the authenticity of remote areas before it fades. This feels especially urgent in Albania, a country that has undergone profound social and economic changes in the last years.

Rapid modernization and urbanization bring both opportunities and pressures. Rural areas, in particular, confront mass tourism, youth migration, social isolation, and persistent poverty. With this series, I aim not only to raise awareness of these challenges but also to emphasize the importance of preserving Albania’s culture and traditions.

The photographs touch upon themes of loneliness, poverty, and hospitality—hospitality being one of Albania’s deepest values. This is reflected in the title “Bread, Salt, and Heart” - an old Albanian expression that speaks of people who may have little, yet still give generously from the heart.