UK-ALBANIAN RELATIONS

Global Landscapes Albania

In October 2021 ‘Shala River’, created in situ in the Albanian Alps, was gifted by the new British Ambassador of Albania, Alastair King-Smith to Prime Minister Edi Rama, marking 100 years of UK-Albania friendship.

The gesture of friendship is especially poignant to Spira, a third generation holocaust survivor who having been in Albania learnt of Besa, Albania’s code of honor, compassion, loving-kindness, hospitality and desire to help those in need, and the role Albania played in saving thousands of Jews during Nazi Invasion and the holocaust.

Spira is also honoured for the artwork to be included in the next publication of the encyclopaedia, ‘Albanians in World Art’ by foremost Art Historian Prof. Ferid Hudhri who is also the head of the “Edward Lear’s friends” Association and a contributor to the Butrint Foundation archive.