Mjaft! Padituni
I knew somebody from Mjaft! would come out with a response to A.A. Gill's article on Albania, The Land that Time Forgot.
In a press release from July 25th, Mjaft! London has written to The Sunday Times demanding an apology and the right of reply. Naturally, Mjaft! London's primary concern is UK-Albanian relations. They are most offended by Gill's assertment that most Albanians abroad are involved in illegal activities. Mjaft! London seems to have taken this pretty personally. They also say Gill was deliberately aiming to "damage the business and trade relations between the UK and Albania." The letter also calls the writing "amatoresque," which I disagree with.
Though the article was intensely flammatory and controversial--chalking Mother Theresa's mission up to "helping people die" is fairly offensive to me, not only as a Catholic, but also as a human being--I couldn't help but laugh at a few places. Surely, contrary to what Mjaft! London says, much of Gill's observation is, in a sense, true (although, I dare him to find a Southeast European country that is clean, developed, and fashionable). His history is fine and he does mention, albeit in a condescending tone, the issues that probably make sense to most Tirana natives. And I must admit it was well-written. Finally, Gill does not have an obligation to help the image of Albania.
But why--aside from an Ann Coulter-esque desire for infamy--does A.A. Gill choose to make such glaring statements?
Although I laughed to myself a few times while reading the piece, when I finished, I felt sad. Not only is there so much more to Albania and Tirana than Gill, makes it seem, but his article is also defeatist. This is an attitude that Albanians know well. After decades of brutal dictatorship, centuries of being bullied, years of being duped when they thought they were finally in the clear, the Albanians, for the most part, are apathetic. They have resigned themselves to defeat. There is no hope. Similarly, Gill seems to think his article is the punction mark (a period) at the end of a long sentence of shame and decay. How can he hope to enjoy a city and country with his attitude? If all Albanians were like Gill, it would be an even sadder state of affairs.
And that is why, though their letter wasn't perfect, I can't help but commend Mjaft! London for their effort. Had Gill done his research, he would have discovered that Mjaft!, the very organization that responded to him, is a driving force for change in Albanian--a "levizje" in the very literal sense of the word. People are mobilizing, the youth is speaking out--things are getting done. And guess what? All without Gill's help. I had the pleasure of working with Erion Veliaj, founder of Mjaft! two summers ago and I must say, if he were able to parlay his role in Mjaft! into a role in the government, he could do a great deal of good.
But before I get too carried away, let me not forget; I have a message for Gill too:
Përshëndetje nga Shqiptaria!
Update: Gazeta Panorama today published a humorous response to Gill, imitating his style in a criticism of his homeland. My favorite part:
"Ka ngjashmërira mes Anglisë dhe Shqipërisë?! A ka?! Me t’u ngjeth mishi. Ja disa: Edhe njëra edhe tjetra, si kurrkund, e kanë jugun më të zhvilluar se veriun; Secila e ka nga një llokëm jashtë trungut, Anglia Irlandën, Shqipëria Kosovën; Si Anglia, si Shqipëria akuzohen se bëjnë ç’u thotë Amerika; Të dyja kanë probleme me Evropën; Individët e të dy vendeve, të gjithë Gjeni’ të hileve, intrigave, bizantinizmit.
Anglia dhe Shqipëria?! Dy Mami’ të mira që presin foshnja çyryk."
In a press release from July 25th, Mjaft! London has written to The Sunday Times demanding an apology and the right of reply. Naturally, Mjaft! London's primary concern is UK-Albanian relations. They are most offended by Gill's assertment that most Albanians abroad are involved in illegal activities. Mjaft! London seems to have taken this pretty personally. They also say Gill was deliberately aiming to "damage the business and trade relations between the UK and Albania." The letter also calls the writing "amatoresque," which I disagree with.
Though the article was intensely flammatory and controversial--chalking Mother Theresa's mission up to "helping people die" is fairly offensive to me, not only as a Catholic, but also as a human being--I couldn't help but laugh at a few places. Surely, contrary to what Mjaft! London says, much of Gill's observation is, in a sense, true (although, I dare him to find a Southeast European country that is clean, developed, and fashionable). His history is fine and he does mention, albeit in a condescending tone, the issues that probably make sense to most Tirana natives. And I must admit it was well-written. Finally, Gill does not have an obligation to help the image of Albania.
But why--aside from an Ann Coulter-esque desire for infamy--does A.A. Gill choose to make such glaring statements?
Although I laughed to myself a few times while reading the piece, when I finished, I felt sad. Not only is there so much more to Albania and Tirana than Gill, makes it seem, but his article is also defeatist. This is an attitude that Albanians know well. After decades of brutal dictatorship, centuries of being bullied, years of being duped when they thought they were finally in the clear, the Albanians, for the most part, are apathetic. They have resigned themselves to defeat. There is no hope. Similarly, Gill seems to think his article is the punction mark (a period) at the end of a long sentence of shame and decay. How can he hope to enjoy a city and country with his attitude? If all Albanians were like Gill, it would be an even sadder state of affairs.
And that is why, though their letter wasn't perfect, I can't help but commend Mjaft! London for their effort. Had Gill done his research, he would have discovered that Mjaft!, the very organization that responded to him, is a driving force for change in Albanian--a "levizje" in the very literal sense of the word. People are mobilizing, the youth is speaking out--things are getting done. And guess what? All without Gill's help. I had the pleasure of working with Erion Veliaj, founder of Mjaft! two summers ago and I must say, if he were able to parlay his role in Mjaft! into a role in the government, he could do a great deal of good.
But before I get too carried away, let me not forget; I have a message for Gill too:
Përshëndetje nga Shqiptaria!
Update: Gazeta Panorama today published a humorous response to Gill, imitating his style in a criticism of his homeland. My favorite part:
"Ka ngjashmërira mes Anglisë dhe Shqipërisë?! A ka?! Me t’u ngjeth mishi. Ja disa: Edhe njëra edhe tjetra, si kurrkund, e kanë jugun më të zhvilluar se veriun; Secila e ka nga një llokëm jashtë trungut, Anglia Irlandën, Shqipëria Kosovën; Si Anglia, si Shqipëria akuzohen se bëjnë ç’u thotë Amerika; Të dyja kanë probleme me Evropën; Individët e të dy vendeve, të gjithë Gjeni’ të hileve, intrigave, bizantinizmit.
Anglia dhe Shqipëria?! Dy Mami’ të mira që presin foshnja çyryk."
respectfully submitted by Nicholas G. Nikic at 11:01
4 Comments:
Mate,
While, I had no qualms about accepting AA Gill's 'accerbic witt', I was quite infuriated by the response to the Albanians crafted by the editorial board of The Times.
Quoting obsolete data they defended their right to publish 'the truth' (no matter how outdated), and that Albanians must deal realistically with their 'image problem'.
I guess the editorial board doesnt see itself as part of that problem. Thus, in accordance to their recipe, we should deal with our image problem by dealing with outfits such as the Times.
I wish Rich Lukaj would buy the paper and unceremoniously fire AA Gill's arse, exhtorting him to use his 'accerbic witt' to describe why he should NOT kick those who are already down.
I was also disappointed by the response. They may defend their right to publish what they want, but to then defend the truth of that opinion article; that's not very journalistic of them.
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Mergimtar,
ignoring them is the course of action. You cannot win in these cases as they control the paper and given that they published it, they were bound to defend. It happens...
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