Multidimensional Relations Between Italy And Albania

Modern History

Although Albania has been connected to Italy during the Roman times, with the Illyrians and Italiotes being the principle people who populated Albania, it is in the recent history that we find both the countries establishing a strong bilateral bond.

It began in 1912 when the Kingdom Of Italy proclaimed its staunch support for the Albanian Independence. And this is when formal relations between the two countries were established, and they were interlocked with each other with a bond of common interests. The Italian Protectorate was established over Albania which lasted from June 23^rd, 1917 until the summer of 1920, when the Vlora war fought between Albanian nationalists ended the Italian Protectorate.

King Zog I of Albania’s rule that began from 1924 was met with Benito Mussolini, who was a figurehead of Fascism for the world, but a great ally for Albania. The Italo-Yugoslav relations fostered the rise of King Zog I in 1925 and 14 years later, Mussolini helped Albania in the building of various infrastructure projects as well as many initiatives for the economic development of the country. This laid down the basis for economic cooperation between Italy and Albania in the post World War-II world. In fact, the National Bank of Albania was established in Italy and therefore had its headquarters based over there.

Cultural Ties

The cultural ties between Italy and Albania run deep down in the annals of history. The presence of the Roman Empire in the territory today is known as Albania influenced the country’s culture irrevocably.

Today, most of the Albanians consume Italian pop-culture such as TV, literature, films, etc. apart from the larger global pop culture that is ever pervasive. Not only regarding the audio-visual culture but can also see Italian influences on Albanian fashion which go as far back as the middle ages and the early twentieth century.

This cultural exchange was made by a phenomenon which was carried out merely by the physical presence of Italy in Albania and Albanian immigrants in Italy. Given that Italy was Albania’s cultural and economic ‘caretaker’ in the early twentieth century, it helped Albania embed visible elements of the Italian culture in its own.

Albanian diaspora in Italy also played a big role in transmitting Albanian food and style in Italy. Albanians form one of the major immigrant groups to settle in Italy for economic reasons. However, Italy is the destination of choice not just for economic reasons, but also because both the countries have a strong cultural affinity and bond.