Young Woman from Germany at Protest: No Ruler Can Take Away Our Hope; We Need a New Albania

A young woman from the Albanian diaspora in Germany joined the public protest held outside the Prime Minister’s Office. In her speech, she delivered an emotional message about her connection to her homeland, the meaning of patriotism, and the need for Albanians living abroad to return to Albania.

Explaining that she had come from Germany, the young woman declared that the time had come for a new Albania. She described the country at times as a mother waiting at the door amid great pain and suffering, and at others as a maiden from the south who loves beauty and goodness. According to her, Albania embodies a woman, a mother, a young maiden, and the noble mother whom the men of this land call “nanë.”

She said that until recently she had not considered herself a patriot, but in recent days she had come to understand the meaning of true patriotism. For her, being a patriot means knowing your history, speaking your mother tongue, respecting the land and nature, and speaking out when the country needs you, especially at this moment.

The young woman went on to urge citizens to remain united and not surrender in the face of crises, but to contribute together to building the future.

According to her, no one can take away people’s hope, because it is humanity’s greatest strength, and no government or ruler can extinguish it. She said the Albanian people are weary after enduring many crises and problems, while watching leaders look after their own interests rather than those of citizens.

Responding to the question many people ask about why they should believe again, she urged them not to lose hope. The young woman stressed that beautiful things take time and that great roads cannot be built overnight, while a new Albania is created through everyone’s contribution, not by one individual alone.

At the end of her speech, she addressed data concerning the departure of Albania’s active workforce, stressing that behind the figures are our people, not merely numbers.

She stated that in 2025, 2.3 million Albanians live in Albania, while 2.2 million live abroad, meaning that 1 in 2 Albanians lives outside the country. Of those, 400,000 are children, while 77% of the people living in the diaspora make up an active workforce that Albania lacks and that is being utilized abroad.

The young woman stressed that these figures should not only cause sadness, but should also alarm and mobilize citizens. She called for the diaspora to return to the heart of the country with dignity and under the care of a state that respects its people.