Travelling
Observer Tirana
Observer Vilnius
Text: Klevis Begaj
Photographs: Erki Plasa
Text: Andrius Burbulis, Observer Vilnius
Photographs: Andrius Burbulis, Observer Vilnius and web
My name is Klevis and I’m the founder of EESTEC Observer Tirana.
Tirana is located in southeastern Europe in the Balkan Peninsula. It
was founded in 1614 by Sulejman Pashe Bargjini and since the 11
February 1920 is the capital city of the Republic of Albania. Albania
means, “Land of the eagle” and we originate from the Illyrians. Our red
flag with the black two-headed eagle symbolizes our origin. It has two
heads because the two cultural groups, Gegs of northern Albania and
Tosks of southern Albania.
Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania. It‘s the largest and, of course, the
most beautiful city in this country. It‘s located in the southeast part of
the country and by the rivers Neris and Vilnelė.
Tirana has almost one million citizens and is the biggest city and the
biggest administrative, politic, economic, industrial, media, academic,
social and cultural center of the country. It lies on a field that is 40 km
from the Adriatic Sea, which is appropriate for swimming and for surfing when it’s windy, and in the 700 m of the height of the Dajti Mountain, which is provides possibilities to climb or ski. We have also long
rivers, big lakes, green forests etc. Due to our favorably extension and
natural recourses we have been object of other countries’ invasion.
Here is a cultural mix, but we all are known for our generous spirit, and
our door is open for all. We are known for the traditional Mediterranean
food, too. We have religious solidarity because the Muslims and the
Christians are living here like brothers. We have all the cultural and diverting places like cinemas, theatres, stadiums, museum, parks, clubs,
bars, restaurants etc.
The first known written record of Vilnius as the Lithuanian capital is
known from The Duke Gediminas letters in 1323. The city is well known
for its Old Town of amazing architecture, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.
However, Vilnius has been rapidly transformed due to the influnce of
Northern Europe, and the town has emerged as a modern European
city. Many of its older buildings have been renovated and a business
and commercial area is being developed into the New City Centre.
This area includes modern residential and retail space. More buildings
are scheduled for construction in the area. Vilnius was selected as a
2009 European Capital of Culture, along with Linz, the capital of Upper
Austria.
Observer
Debrecen
Our national hero is Scanderbeg who protected the country from the
Ottoman Empire. He is our inspiration for braveness and courage. But
we have many other well-known global people like Mother Teresa, the
writer Ismail Kadare, humor actor Jim Belushi etc.
Observer
Tirana
Observer
Saint Petersburg
Observer
Vilnius
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