TIRANA — Today more than ever, the symbol of Christmas has become tangible for everyone. In families, in the streets, in homes and in public spaces the signs of the holiday are felt. It is not only Christians who celebrate it; it has become part of the general greeting, the atmosphere of the city and the desire for a better day. On the eve of this holiday, representatives of different faiths offer their wishes. Among them stands out the fact that the holiday is being experienced together, in a society that is trying to rebuild normality after a long period when religion was forbidden. From this point of view, Christmas in Albania has also taken on a new civic meaning. It remains not only a religious celebration, but becomes an occasion for understanding, meeting and solidarity. This is also why many people, even if they are not practitioners, feel it as a holiday that belongs to them. At the same time, today’s page also presents concerns of a public nature, such as the pollution of drinking water, an issue that directly affects the daily life of citizens. ENGLISH: Albania, the magic of the holiday. All faiths wish it together. Again alarm over pollution of drinking water. Tirana — Today more than ever, the symbol of Christmas has become tangible for everyone. In families, in the streets, in homes and in public spaces the signs of the holiday are felt. It is not only Christians who celebrate it; it has become part of a general greeting, of the atmosphere of the city and of the desire for a better day. On the eve of this holiday, representatives of different faiths give their wishes. Among them stands out the fact that the holiday is being experienced together, in a society trying to rebuild normality after a long period of the prohibition of religion. From this point of view, Christmas in Albania has also taken on a new civic meaning. It does not remain only a religious celebration, but becomes an occasion for understanding, meeting and solidarity. This is also why many people, even without being practitioners, feel it as a holiday that belongs to them. At the same time, today’s page also presents concerns of a public character, such as the pollution of drinking water, an issue that directly affects the daily life of citizens. ITALIANO: Albania, la magia della festa. Tutte le fedi la augurano insieme. Nuovo allarme per l’inquinamento delle acque potabili. Tirana — Oggi più che mai, il simbolo del Natale è diventato percepibile per tutti. Nelle famiglie, nelle strade, nelle case e negli ambienti pubblici si avvertono i segni della festa. Non sono soltanto i cristiani a celebrarla; essa è diventata parte dell’augurio generale, dell’atmosfera della città e del desiderio di un giorno migliore. Alla vigilia di questa festa, i rappresentanti di diverse fedi porgono i loro auguri. Tra questi spicca il fatto che la festa venga vissuta insieme, in una società che cerca di ricostruire la normalità dopo un lungo periodo di divieto della religione. Da questo punto di vista, il Natale in Albania ha assunto anche un nuovo significato civico. Non resta solo una celebrazione religiosa, ma diventa occasione di comprensione, incontro e solidarietà. Questa è anche la ragione per cui molte persone, pur senza essere praticanti, la sentono come una festa che appartiene anche a loro. Allo stesso tempo, nella pagina di oggi vengono presentate anche preoccupazioni di carattere pubblico, come l’inquinamento delle acque potabili, questione che tocca direttamente la vita quotidiana dei cittadini. In this photo: Gaqo Apostoli. Strukur of PESP? [?]

TIRANA — “Since the church’s light was once again allowed, its call and the bells of Easter sounded differently from anywhere else. For the first time after 23 years, the echo of Christmas was also felt. This year-end their voices seem even stronger. This is not only because the doors of the churches have opened, but also because there are now more people in them. The year-end holidays have taken on a broader, more shared atmosphere. And, in a certain way, it seems as though they belong not only to believers, but to everyone.” This is how a priest of the Catholic Church expresses himself; he sees this period as a time of human closeness. According to him, Christmas in Albania is being experienced as a holiday of the home, of children, of memories and of hope. It brings together people with different beliefs because it carries a universal moral and spiritual meaning. But he adds that there is also another side to it. The market, advertising, the circulation of goods, shop-window displays and the thirst for shopping often make the holiday seem pale and artificial. “When the holiday turns into consumption alone, it loses what is most important: inner life, reflection, family, solidarity.” In many Albanian families, which still bear the marks of poverty and the upheavals of recent years, this holiday is experienced with desire but also with inability. There is a wish for a better table, for a gift for the children, for a visit to relatives. But there is not always the means to do that. Nevertheless, according to clergymen, the meaning of the holiday is not measured by the abundance of the table. It is measured by peace, forgiveness and the bringing together of people. And in this sense, Christmas can be a holiday shared by all people. ENGLISH: When one holiday unites all people. The church hierarchy says this is natural and acceptable. But the commercial side of the circulation of goods makes it pale and artificial. Tirana — Since the church was allowed light again, the call of it and the bells of Easter sounded differently than in any other place. For the first time after 23 years, the echo of Christmas was also felt. This end of year their voices seem even stronger. This is not only because the doors of the churches have opened, but also because more people are now in them. The year-end holidays have taken on a broader, more shared atmosphere. In a certain way, they seem to belong not only to believers, but to everyone. Thus says a Catholic priest, who sees this period as a time of human closeness. According to him, Christmas in Albania is being experienced as a holiday of home, children, memories and hope. It unites people of different convictions because it carries a general moral and spiritual meaning. But he adds that this also has another side. The market, advertising, circulation of goods, shop-window displays and the urge to buy often make the holiday seem pale and artificial. When the holiday turns only into consumption, it loses what is most important: inner meaning, meditation, family, solidarity. In many Albanian families, which still bear the marks of poverty and the upheavals of recent years, this holiday is lived with desire but also with inability. There is a wish for a better table, for a gift for the children, for a visit to relatives. But there is not always the possibility to do this. Nevertheless, according to the clergy, the meaning of the holiday is not measured by the abundance of the table. It is measured by peace, forgiveness and the closeness of people. And in this sense, Christmas can be a common holiday for all people. ITALIANO: Quando una festa unisce tutti gli uomini. La gerarchia della Chiesa dice che questo è naturale e accettabile. Ma il lato commerciale della circolazione delle merci la rende sbiadita e artificiale. Tirana — Da quando alla Chiesa è stata restituita la luce, il suo richiamo e le campane della Pasqua hanno suonato diversamente da qualunque altro luogo. Per la prima volta dopo 23 anni si è sentita anche l’eco del Natale. In questa fine d’anno le loro voci sembrano ancora più forti. Questo non solo perché le porte delle chiese si sono aperte, ma anche perché oggi vi sono più persone. Le feste di fine anno hanno assunto un’atmosfera più ampia e più condivisa. In un certo senso, sembrano appartenere non solo ai credenti, ma a tutti. Così afferma un sacerdote cattolico, che vede questo periodo come un tempo di avvicinamento umano. Secondo lui, il Natale in Albania viene vissuto come festa della casa, dei bambini, dei ricordi e della speranza. Unisce persone con convinzioni diverse, perché porta un significato morale e spirituale generale. Ma aggiunge che questo ha anche un altro lato. Il mercato, la pubblicità, la circolazione delle merci, le vetrine e la voglia di comprare fanno spesso apparire la festa sbiadita e artificiale. Quando la festa si trasforma soltanto in consumo, perde ciò che è più importante: interiorità, meditazione, famiglia, solidarietà. In molte famiglie albanesi, che portano ancora i segni della povertà e degli sconvolgimenti degli ultimi anni, questa festa viene vissuta con desiderio ma anche con impossibilità. C’è il desiderio di una tavola migliore, di un regalo per i bambini, di una visita ai parenti. Ma non sempre c’è la possibilità di farlo. Tuttavia, secondo il clero, il significato della festa non si misura con l’abbondanza della tavola. Si misura con la pace, con il perdono e con la vicinanza tra le persone. E in questo senso, il Natale può essere una festa comune per tutti gli uomini.

100 students are interested Desire or career? One weapon possesses more than protection ON PAGE 3 By Ferdinand Dervishi They are making new threats ON PAGE 2

GAZETA SHQIPTARE

Editorial program 93/94 curated by Bruna Çabo SIAEKO SERIES Vendim i Plakës Ariola e hirit The rise and fall of a comrade Zylò Foreign music The walls of fire Boredom School The knight without a horse in bloom Myth and anti- The love of centuries Anthropology of the contemporary proposed The laws of the Kanun An hospitality [?] Religion and myth Prose and poetry Essays and studies Poetry and theatre Readings and anthologies FROM ALBANIA A new season of studies and research on the historical and cultural specificities of Albania and its people.

On 31 December Gazeta Shqiptare will not be published. The first issue of 1994 will be published on 4 January.