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Aug 27, 2013

Burrneshat | The Sworn Virgins of Albania

Photographer Jill Peters traveled to Northern Albania to meet the “Sworn virgins” (Burrneshat) and capture a glimpse of their chosen life. 
‘‘ These women have decided to ignore their female identity and live as men in the Balkans. The decision to live as men is more related to gender roles in the Albanian culture rather than a statement of sexuality; these women live their lives appearing as men.
Sworn virgins have existed for centuries. According to tradition dating back to the 15th century developed out of the Kanun, a tribal code of law, tribal clans from the Balkans considered families without a male presence as pariahs. When blood feuds decimated all the men in a family, the only way to salvage their honor was for a woman to become the patriarch of the clan and start acting like a man.’’ via slate

Photo credit Jill Peters












tags: Kanun - Blood and Honour, The Forgiveness of Blood


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Urban Territory & Economic Model Conference in Tirana | Architecture in Albania

Albanian Media has been buzzing lately with news of a new architectural and urban challenge and hopefully consequent change, this time from the newly elected PM Edi Rama (here & here). A conference titled "Shqiperia e Gjenerates se Re/Tjeter" (Albania of the New/Next Generation) is underway in Tirana

Over 30 architects, urban planners, and economists from all over the world (not sure if there are any albanians in the mix) are invited to attend and discuss the future of a sustainable urban territory/adequate infrastructure and a possible economic model to go with it. 

We have talked about this, many many times before. Issues of inadequate and insufficient infrastructural systems to provide enough water, electricity, roads, public safety, economic development and social education for the growing urban informality. Issues with politicizing our landmarks, privatizing our historical sites (utopian tiranaand selling out natural resources that could lead to potential sustainable economies... and much more (balkans)

So, what can a 2-day conference do

and the waiting game begins... 
[Not that it ever went away. I am still waiting on the winning projects for Lana and the Boulevard. Hopefully, the ink has dried out on those plans.] 



Too many years of speculation, a plethora of proposals, citizen protests, informal debates, and whatever else you can think of... the uncertain status-quo of Albanian territory and its displaced public

Architecture of Spectacle... 



I will remain hopeful but very skeptical... until the above challenges aren't only philosophical but they get executed. 
I am tired of talking about change. I want to see it happen for a change (pun intended). 
It's long overdue. What do you think? 

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Aug 18, 2013

What Does It Mean To Photograph Portraits? | Off Book Series

**Creative Sunday Series

‘‘Humans have been creating likenesses of each other for thousands of years, but with the introduction of photography, a new language developed for capturing the human image. Photography created opportunities for not just for biography and documentation, but also depth, empathy, and experimentation. Many portrait photographers today elevate their work from mere photo to art, communicating ideas and capturing the human subject with dignity, all while exploring the meaning and potential of portraiture.’’
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Aug 12, 2013

Featured Event | DOKUFEST

DOKUFEST opens up Film Festival Season in Albania & Kosovo


17-25 GUSHT / AUGUST 2013, PRIZREN, KOSOVA 
Prepare to break borders! 
Dare to take flight and have your own borders broken! 

#dokufest13 / Web / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

For more information, go here.


DokuFest is coming back to Tirana today, this time to Break Borders!  

The screening will be held at: 
(Aleksandër Moisiu Nr. 78) 
@20:00h
Films:

TOKYO GIANTS, Nicolas Provost / Belgium, 2012 / 23 min – The film infiltrates the daily life of the Japanese metropolis following a serial killer character played by an actor.

MINIYAMBA, Luc Perez/ Denmark, 2012 / 14 min - Like thousands of people around the world who everyday leave their homeland, Abdu, a malian musician, has decided to reach Europa. A trip from the Niger river to the fences of Ceuta, where dreams are confronted with the harsh reality...

SLOMO - Josh Izenberg / USA, 2013 / 16 min– Depressed and frustrated with his life, Dr. John Kitchin abandons his career as a neurologist and moves to Pacific Beach.

GATES OF LIFE - Hannes Vartiainen, Pekka Veikkolainen / Finland, 2012 / 6 min – This progressive documentary plays with form and sound to create a unique perspective on human nature.

LULLABY - Victor Kossakovsky / Russia, 2012 / 3 min – A couple of homeless men lay sleeping on the floor of a bank vestibule. Kossakovsky captures the economic crisis in a single image.

Entrance to the screening is free.


DokuFest kthehet sotTiranë, këtë herë për të thyer kufi! 

Filmat do të shfaqen në: 
(Rr. Aleksandër Moisiu Nr. 78 Kinostudio) 
ora 20:00
Filmat:

TOKYO GIANTS, Nicolas Provost / Belgium, 2012, 23 min - Filmi e infiltron jetën e përditshme të metropolit të Japonisë duke ndjekur një karakter të vrasësit serial të luajtur nga një aktor.

MINIYAMBA, Luc Perez/ Denmark, 2012 / 14 min - Sikurse mijëra njerëz rreth botës, të cilët çdo ditë e braktisin vendlindjen e tyre, Abdu, një muzikant malian, ka vendosur të arrijë Evropën. Një udhëtim nga lumi Niger te rrethojat e Ceutës, ku ëndrrat konfrontohen me realitetin e rëndë...

SLOMO - Josh Izenberg / USA, 2013 / 16 min - I frustruar dhe në depresion me jetën e tij, Dr. John Kitchin e braktis karrierën e tij si neurolog dhe shpërngulet në bregun e Paqësorit.

GATES OF LIFE - Hannes Vartiainen, Pekka Veikkolainen / Finland, 2012 / 6 min - Ky dokumentar progresiv luan me formën dhe tingullin për të krijuar një perspektivë unike të natyrës njerëzore.

LULLABY - Victor Kossakovsky / Russia, 2012 / 3 min - Një grup burrash të pastrehë shtrihen të flenë në dysheme në korridorin e një banke. Kossakovsky kap krizën ekonomike me vetëm një imazh.

Hyrja është falas.


tags: dokuphoto, kino prizreni, autobahntirana, prizren, kosova

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