Shqiperia: Toka e Harruar nga Koha

[Arb]

An Albanian reader of The Sunday Times

July 25, 2006

To Editorial Director:
To Sunday Times, Times, Times Online:
To Whom It May Concern:

Dear Editorial Director,

I just finished reading the infamous article titled "The land that time forgot" by AA Gill, published on July 23 edition. It is obvious from the cynical tone used throughout the article that Mr. Gill's purpose was not to bring to the British reader a true depiction of Albania and Albanians, but rather to discredit the image of a poor but peaceful, freedom-loving and civilized people. His comments are offensive and inaccurate, but simply another addition to his infamous resume of offensive and unethical writing.

"Bad news" sells and it is obvious that Mr. Gill is fully aware of that. I took the time to read some of his work and the common theme of his journalism career is often the use of aggressive malicious language and misrepresentation in order to portray himself as a critical guru, who sees what others can't, meaning darkness where there is light, pessimism where there is optimism, bad where there is good. It is truly easy to criticize, accuse and demise, however the road to greatness is not the easy one, in fact it is quite the opposite. A true professional is objective, rational and balanced in his judgment and able to recognize the simple truth that the world is greyer than just only black or white.

As an Albanian citizen I was shocked and revolted when I read the article. If I didn't know anything about the author I would think it just another shortsighted portrayal of a formerly communist country by a western journalist who is completely unaware of the rest of the world and lacks the knowledge of historical and social events that are needed in order to write sound journalism. However, knowing the extent to which Mr. Gill has traveled and the various countries he has featured in his articles, it became clear that he (Mr. Gill) was purposefully trying to blemish the image of Albania and Albanians.

He has a problem with the airport being named "Mother Teresa" who he claims helped people die. I, and the rest of the world thought she was the angel of life, but if Mr. Gill wants to call her the angel of death, I will very humbly bow to his wealth of knowledge, to which the rest of us must be deprived.

He thinks Norman Wisdom is our favorite comedian. He couldn't be any farther from the truth. Norman never was the mot popular comedian; he wasn't even remotely famous in Albania. A nice Albanian was probably trying to make Mr. Gill feel welcome, since he was a stranger. Interesting how an "ignorant Albanian" with a "bomb damaged teeth" could fool a "smart" and "visionary" like AA Gill.

Mr. Gill scorns at the old buildings inherited from the communist era. I would like to remind you Mr. Gill that there is no shame in being poor, after all not everyone can be rich. The shame consists in not wanting or trying to improve your life and your country, and Albanians are both willing and trying to accomplish that, although pessimists like yourself might not give us a chance.

There is no question that Albania is a country trying to improve its economy, infrastructure, and redefine its place in the European family. The communism years left Albania with major economic, political and social problems. Therefore it should come as no surprise to Mr. Gill or any other European whose country was blessed with a better history than Albania, that there are poor people, bad roads and old buildings in Albania, just like in the rest of the Eastern European countries that experienced communism.

Nonetheless, one must not forget that this is a country that through centuries has aspired for peace and civilization. The Albanian people are overall well educated, hard working and appreciative of family traditions. They are very hospitable and ready to offer assistance as they proved during the Kosovo crisis by hosting tens of thousands of refugees that the rest of the glorious Europe including Mr. Gill's England refused to help. Albanians have proven that they are a civilized society by living together in perfect religious harmony and tolerance although Muslims live next to Christians.

This small but noble country got slaughtered by the mighty Turkish Empire, while fighting to stop them from crossing the Adriatic Sea and moving on to the Western Europe.

And how did Europe reward Albania for its poise???
By taking away its land and people and giving them to Greece and Yugoslavia, a mess that they are still trying to fix, and could not do without the help of the US. Mr. Gill is ready to point out the sad historical events that have forced Albania to fight every day to protect its freedom from the European greed, but he fails to acknowledge that if this mighty and superior Europe had been fair to small and big countries alike, then this disparity would not even exist. The entire Europe would be one well-oiled machine.

How did a notable journalist like Mr. Gill fail to notice the above and more in his article?

He did not; he just wasn't willing to do it. He was willing to vilify and prejudge. He was willing to pretend that Albanian youth is the worst-dressed in Europe, when the truth is that Albanians appreciate fashion and style and would put to shame most of the Scottish people who wear predominantly black and grey, (not to mention men that wear skirts).

He calls Albanian ignorant and directionless but he doesn't know that our knowledge of history, geography and languages would make him blush. He mocks the poor villagers with the ragged skin, when he should give them credit for fighting every day to provide food and clothing for their families. They live a hard but honest life, and there is no shame in that.

Every country has his criminal exponents Mr. Gill, including Scotland or England, because this is the intrinsic nature of humanity; where there are humans there is crime. But why are you so quick to point out the negative, and refuse to mention that Albania exports culture as well. The name of Ismail Kadare should tell you something Mr. Gill, several times nominated as Nobel Prize candidate, who could have probably been a winner had he not been Albanian.

Mr. Gill proclaims that every Albanian that drives a nice car drives a stolen car. It is not only untrue, but also quite ridiculous to assume that people in a poor country can't drive expensive cars. He must have been confused to see the people that you earlier described as tasteless drive these beautiful cars.

Then he carries on by ridiculing the Albanian language. His limited and isolated mind cannot comprehend that every language is different and that not every language is called English. There is nothing astonishing about words of another language sounding funny in English, just like English words may sound funny in another language.

The first rule of journalism is to be truthful and ethical, rule, which obviously odes not apply to AA Gill. He must have missed the predicament for ethical journalism at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, or they never taught it.

He is known to be provocative, insulting and judgmental. He is known to be thrown out of restaurants, he is known to anger Germans, Welsh and other people. He is simply a case of an arrogant, classless journalist misusing his freedom of speech, and it is inevitable that with jewels of bad journalism he will ruin his and his employer's reputation.

Albania is not the land that time forgot Mr. Gill, and you will be proven wrong once again.

Sincerely

Emri

A proud Albanian citizen