Books by Ardian Muhaj
PROJEKTE KUNDËROSMANE NË SHEK. XVI-XVII MES FANTAZISË, INTERESIT DHE REALITETIT, Instituti i Hist... more PROJEKTE KUNDËROSMANE NË SHEK. XVI-XVII MES FANTAZISË, INTERESIT DHE REALITETIT, Instituti i Historise, Tirana, 2022.
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From the Balkans to the Mediterranean. The Albanians between the Middle Ages and the Early Modern... more From the Balkans to the Mediterranean. The Albanians between the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Age.
Book published by the Insitute of History, Tirana, 2019. (In Albanian)
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Abstract
The Hundred Years War has had a profound impact on the history of France and England. ... more Abstract
The Hundred Years War has had a profound impact on the history of France and England. Yet its impact and importance on the history of other European countries and of Europe in general has been overlooked and much less studied. Even the supporters of the so-called “late medieval crisis”, have not shown any interest in establishing any kind of relationship between the “crisis” of the Late Middle Ages, and the Hundred Years War, although both match perfectly in chronological terms. We aim to establish a relation between the anglo-french conflict of the Late Middle Ages and the difficulties and/or the decline of some European countries and regions during the same time span. Before the war France was the commercial hub of Europe, but during the course of the war became its main battlefield. It was a conflict between England and France, fought and decided entirely in French territories and dependencies. So, how this transformation of the biggest, the richest, the most central and the most important kingdom of Europe, from a commercial hub to a battlefield, influenced the economic landscape of the continent, is a central question to answer? Instead of focusing the attention on the movements and itineraries of the fighting or ravaging armies, we aim to focus on the itineraries of the traders and on the shifting geography of the trade routes. Through her transformation in a battlefield France, once a paradise for the traders, became a paradise for the chivalry and the soldiers, but a hell for the traders. Thus, many countries and regions better suited to serve as an alternative choice for the commerce and the traders, increased their share of the commercial traffic, or better said, of the wealth available.
Portugal became one of these commercial paradises that helped the stream of goods and wealth to flow. At the same time this shifting geography of the trade routes, not only helped these new commercial paradises to strengthen their economies, but it increased the costs of transactions and maintenance of the commerce. Goods and wealth flowed easily through the new routes, but these new trade routes were expensive alternatives of the old French-centred routes. With the end of the Hundred Years War, ended the need to avoid the French routes, and the flow of commerce shifted back to France, but the new geography of the expanded commerce and the wealth accumulated during the war continued for some time to foster the development of the these countries during the time that France was retaking its centrality in the commercial routes of the continent.
Portugal’s economic outlook during the Hundred Years War has been traditionally linked by the historians to the French pattern, widely accepted as negative, depressionist and in deep crisis. The broad framework for this relation is the “late medieval crisis”, or the Malthusian interpretation of the history of Late Middle Ages. According to this interpretation, the “late medieval crisis” was general to the whole of Europe, and even beyond, although recognizing some insignificant exceptions. In fact, focusing on the broad picture, except the generalized effect of the Black Death, most parts of Europe did not go through a “late medieval crisis”. Portugal had all the conditions to gain from the shift of the trade routes, and was one of the most important countries that served the economic system of the continent to continue to run smoothly even with the significant obstacle of the war. During the supposed “crisis”, Portugal went from strength to strength in economic terms. The Black Death took its toll and the money was devalued, but commerce expanded, the area under cultivation increased, its political and geographical boundaries expanded, technological advance was one of the greatest in the continent, its international projection increased, its independence was assured, its towns increased at the time that agriculture boomed and the wealth and the welfare of its people increased.
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Book chapter by Ardian Muhaj
The Ballad of the Lone Medievalist, edited by Kisha G. Tracy and John P. Sexton, Punctum Books, 2018, pp. 355-360., 2018
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Papers by Ardian Muhaj
Univers, Sep 24, 2023
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Univers, May 19, 2019
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Deleted Journal, Jan 22, 2024
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CIEPO 25
Comité International des Études Pré-Ottomanes et Ottomanes
June 21-25, 2024
TIRANA, ALBA... more CIEPO 25
Comité International des Études Pré-Ottomanes et Ottomanes
June 21-25, 2024
TIRANA, ALBANIA
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Albanian Studies, , 2024
The necessity for interdisciplinary studies in historical research is
increasingly emphasized wi... more The necessity for interdisciplinary studies in historical research is
increasingly emphasized with the accumulation of available scientific
data, leading to a more accurate synthesis of historical phenomena. In
this study, we chose the Krasniqe and Nikaj clans, two of the largest
Albanian clans, from which we collected 23 samples for genetic
sequencing. Genetic data support a variety of other historical,
ethnographic, and anthropological information and simultaneously
serve to further enrich the history of these clans and complement the
mosaic of data on populations or clans constituting the Albanian
ethnicity. The results indicate that the main lineages of both clans have
a common origin in the Adriatic line and that the Krasniqe lineages are
closer to each other than to those of the Nikaj. Additionally, members
of both clans inherited a characteristic haplo group for Northern
Albanians, which is also linked to some ancient results from the region. Genetic data, when treated and used as a historical source, serve to
historicize data that are obscured by time and unforeseeable through
traditional historiographic methods.
Keywords: Krasniqe, Nikaj, Gashi, Albanian clans, genetic
analysis, history, origin, autochthony, antiquity.
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Tarih Dergisi, Mar 16, 2022
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Univers
Libri i historianit turk Abdulhamit Kirmizi, mbi jetën dhe veprën e Ferid pashë Vlorës, është një... more Libri i historianit turk Abdulhamit Kirmizi, mbi jetën dhe veprën e Ferid pashë Vlorës, është një vepër shkencore e klasit të parë dhe njëkohësisht tregimi më i detajuar dhe më i rëndësishëm i shkruar deri më sot për këtë figurë me përmasa dhe rëndësi në Shqipëri, Evropë dhe botë. Nëpër faqet e librit voluminoz, autori na shoqëron me mjeshtëri në madhështinë dhe peripecitë e jetës së një prej figurave më të rëndësishme të Lëvizjes Kombëtare Shqiptare, e njohur tradicionalisht si Rilindja Kombëtare. Në këtë prezantim, autori duket qartë se është i njohur jo vetëm me historinë e shqiptarëve në këtë periudhë, por edhe me historinë e familjes Vlora, pasi ky është studimi i tij i dytë madhor mbi historinë e këtij oxhaku të shquar, pas tij botimit të tij në turqisht.
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The aim is to provide a platform of a high scholarly level that will promote the knowledge and su... more The aim is to provide a platform of a high scholarly level that will promote the knowledge and sustain the memory of Ottoman history. The symposium will include four days of sessions at a designated conference center in Tirana (21-24 June). An excursion is scheduled for the last day (25 June), during which participants will have the chance to visit Ottoman sites in the surrounding areas.
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Arbëreshët në fokusin e shtetit shqiptar , 2023
Prania e arbëreshëve të Italisë në jetën e shoqërisë shqiptare merr një kthesë drastike me vendos... more Prania e arbëreshëve të Italisë në jetën e shoqërisë shqiptare merr një kthesë drastike me vendosjen e regjimit diktatorial në Shqipëri. Marrdhëniet e tyre me shtetin shqiptar shkëputen pothuajse tërësisht dhe krejt historia e kultura arbëreshe kthehet në relike. Arbëreshët u shndërruan në një imazh të largët dhe në një ilustrim të thjeshtë të ngjarjeve historike të shekujve të kaluar. Hipoteza që shtrohet në këtë punim është se nëse bëhet një analizë e marrdhënieve të arbëreshëve me Shqipërinë qoftë në periudhën osmane, qoftë në periudhën shtetërore shqiptare, diktatura komuniste përbën periudhën e shkëputjes dhe ndërprerjes së lidhjeve më të theksuar se në cilëndo periudhë tjetër
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Algerian Review Of Ottoman and Mediterranean Studies, 2022
The sixteenth century is considered as the last golden age of the Mediterranean. This splendor of... more The sixteenth century is considered as the last golden age of the Mediterranean. This splendor of the Mediterranean was shared by the people inhabiting this "Great Sea". In this century the Mediterranean is seen as a maritime space contested between two rival powers: the Habsburg Empire and the Ottoman Empire. The rivalry between the Habsburgs and the Ottomans developed in the Western fringe of the Mediterranean, while the eastern and central part of the Great Sea remained uncontested dominions of the Ottoman state. In this Mediterranean splendor and rivalry, the role and agency of many people and local communities should not be undervalued. The aim of this paper is to highlight the presence of the Albanian and Dalmatian sailors, soldiers, and traders in Algiers, which was undoubtedly one of the most important centers of the Mediterranean, with a vibrant trade and an important place of political, cultural, and commercial links and impact. People from the Eastern Adriatic shore, especially Albanians and Dalmatians (i.e., Croats, Bosnians, etc.) were increasingly present in Algiers as well as in North African Mediterranean in a scale never documented before. Apart from the increase in numbers, in the 16 th century also changes the quality of their presence in the Western Mediterranean.
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Context. Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 2022
This paper examines the recent history of religious development in Albania during the post-commun... more This paper examines the recent history of religious development in Albania during the post-communist period. Second, it identifies patterns in the differentiated development of material and spiritual religious life among the region's religions, and the institutional and political reasons behind them. Third, it analyses the positions of Albanian Cham, Albanian Kosovar and Bosniak Sunni communities as they confront the post-communist pressures of proselytisation and de-Sunnification. Through historical and discourse analysis and unstructured interviews with individuals of different religious, ethnic and local affiliation, the paper reveals that religious, ethnic and local feelings are strong among all three communities. Attitudes toward proselytization attempts among Bosniaks, Cham and Kosovar Albanians, however, are more resilient than those of local Sunnis toward de-Sunnification. The weakening of religiosity among local Sunnis is in conjunction with an organised movement to construct a distinct Bektashi identity, although most Bektashis still identify as Muslim.
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Java e Albanologjise, 2019
Emërtimi i Dukagjinit, si një nga toponimet më të rëndësishme dhe të gjalla në historinë dhe kult... more Emërtimi i Dukagjinit, si një nga toponimet më të rëndësishme dhe të gjalla në historinë dhe kulturën shqiptare, ka qenë kryesisht objekt legjendash e gojëdhënash të lidhura me kodin zakonor të njohur si kanuni i Lekë Dukagjinit. Hulumtimet e fundit të kryera prej nesh dëshmojnë se emërtimi Dukagjin në fakt është shumë shekuj më i lashtë sesa periudha e supozuar e kodifikimit të kanunit. Në këtë kumtesë përmes sjelljes së argumenteve historike, arkeologjike e gjuhësore do të përpiqemi të argumentojmë se zanafilla e emërtimit Dukagjin është i njëkohshëm me etnogjenezën e shqiptarëve si pasojë e tronditjes që sollën dyndjet e popujve sllavë në kapërcyellin nga antikiteti në fillimin e mesjetës. Në këtë aspekt edhe emërtimi i kanunit të Lekë Dukagjinit rezulton të jetë shekuj më i hershëm se sa personazhi historik i shek. XV.
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Studime Historike, 2021
Nevoja e ndërmarrjes së studimeve ndërdisiplinore në hulumtimin historik bëhet gjithnjë e më e th... more Nevoja e ndërmarrjes së studimeve ndërdisiplinore në hulumtimin historik bëhet gjithnjë e më e theksuar me shtimin e të dhënave shkencore të disponueshme të cilat shpien në sinteza gjithnjë e më të sakta të dukurive historike. Në këtë punim, si rast studimi kemi zgjedhur fiset Krasniqe dhe Nikaj si dy ndër fiset më të mëdha shqiptare, prej të cilave kemi mbledhur 23 mostra për sekuencim gjenetik. Të dhënat gjenetike mbështesin një sërë të dhënash të tjera të karakterit historik, etnografik, antropologjik dhe njëkohësisht shërbejnë si pasurim i mëtejshëm i historisë së këtyre fiseve dhe si plotësim i mozaikut të të dhënave mbi popullatat apo fiset që përbëjnë etninë shqiptare. Rezultatet tregojnë se vëllazëritë kryesore të të dy fiseve kanë prejardhje të përbashkët në vijë atërore, dhe se vëllazëritë e Krasniqes lidhen më afër mes tyre se me ato të Nikajve. Gjithashtu, anëtarë të të dy fiseve trashëgojnë një haplogrup karakteristik për shqiptarët e Veriut, i cili lidhet edhe me disa rezultate të lashta nga rajoni. Të dhënat gjenetike duke u trajtuar dhe përdorur në cilësinë e burimit historik, shërbejnë për historicizimin e të dhënave të mjegulluara nga koha dhe të parikthyeshme përmes metodave tradicionale historiografike.
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Turkish Journal of History, 2022
The sixteenth century was a time when projects against Ottoman power were diminishing. This sixte... more The sixteenth century was a time when projects against Ottoman power were diminishing. This sixteenth century trend changed dramatically after the battle of Lepanto on 7 October 1571, when the Holy League coalition forces inflicted a significant defeat on the Ottoman fleet. This study investigates how Venice responded to the growing anti-Ottoman projects and movements in the Balkans in order to keep a long lasting peace with the Ottomans that characterized the period from the peace treaty between Venice and the Ottoman Empire in 1573 until the war of Crete in 1644. Venice's struggle for peace in this period, was of crucial importance in the relatively quiet situation in Rumelia during this period compared to the disquiet and social unrest that characterized Anatolia, especially during the Celali revolts.
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Studime Historike, 2020
The slavery constitutes a historic phenomenon that has affected all the
continents, sometimes at... more The slavery constitutes a historic phenomenon that has affected all the
continents, sometimes at the same time or one after another. The question of slavery among the Illyrians has occupied little space in the studies of different authors within the ancient Albanian territories, nonetheless the slavery in antiquity has been one of the most important social phenomena directly connected with the production relations. Usually the slavery drastically and forever changed the people's life, but the bad luck chased the slaves even after gaining the much dreamed freedom. Thus, in Rome, the liberated slaves were seen with disbelief and contempt. They after being liberated never became free men, but liberated. The hard conditions of slavery, and the low social status of the slaves, made that many of them dream and try to escape to achieve the freedom not only through liberation from their owners, but even through escape or organized rebellions.
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Books by Ardian Muhaj
Book published by the Insitute of History, Tirana, 2019. (In Albanian)
The Hundred Years War has had a profound impact on the history of France and England. Yet its impact and importance on the history of other European countries and of Europe in general has been overlooked and much less studied. Even the supporters of the so-called “late medieval crisis”, have not shown any interest in establishing any kind of relationship between the “crisis” of the Late Middle Ages, and the Hundred Years War, although both match perfectly in chronological terms. We aim to establish a relation between the anglo-french conflict of the Late Middle Ages and the difficulties and/or the decline of some European countries and regions during the same time span. Before the war France was the commercial hub of Europe, but during the course of the war became its main battlefield. It was a conflict between England and France, fought and decided entirely in French territories and dependencies. So, how this transformation of the biggest, the richest, the most central and the most important kingdom of Europe, from a commercial hub to a battlefield, influenced the economic landscape of the continent, is a central question to answer? Instead of focusing the attention on the movements and itineraries of the fighting or ravaging armies, we aim to focus on the itineraries of the traders and on the shifting geography of the trade routes. Through her transformation in a battlefield France, once a paradise for the traders, became a paradise for the chivalry and the soldiers, but a hell for the traders. Thus, many countries and regions better suited to serve as an alternative choice for the commerce and the traders, increased their share of the commercial traffic, or better said, of the wealth available.
Portugal became one of these commercial paradises that helped the stream of goods and wealth to flow. At the same time this shifting geography of the trade routes, not only helped these new commercial paradises to strengthen their economies, but it increased the costs of transactions and maintenance of the commerce. Goods and wealth flowed easily through the new routes, but these new trade routes were expensive alternatives of the old French-centred routes. With the end of the Hundred Years War, ended the need to avoid the French routes, and the flow of commerce shifted back to France, but the new geography of the expanded commerce and the wealth accumulated during the war continued for some time to foster the development of the these countries during the time that France was retaking its centrality in the commercial routes of the continent.
Portugal’s economic outlook during the Hundred Years War has been traditionally linked by the historians to the French pattern, widely accepted as negative, depressionist and in deep crisis. The broad framework for this relation is the “late medieval crisis”, or the Malthusian interpretation of the history of Late Middle Ages. According to this interpretation, the “late medieval crisis” was general to the whole of Europe, and even beyond, although recognizing some insignificant exceptions. In fact, focusing on the broad picture, except the generalized effect of the Black Death, most parts of Europe did not go through a “late medieval crisis”. Portugal had all the conditions to gain from the shift of the trade routes, and was one of the most important countries that served the economic system of the continent to continue to run smoothly even with the significant obstacle of the war. During the supposed “crisis”, Portugal went from strength to strength in economic terms. The Black Death took its toll and the money was devalued, but commerce expanded, the area under cultivation increased, its political and geographical boundaries expanded, technological advance was one of the greatest in the continent, its international projection increased, its independence was assured, its towns increased at the time that agriculture boomed and the wealth and the welfare of its people increased.
Book chapter by Ardian Muhaj
Papers by Ardian Muhaj
Comité International des Études Pré-Ottomanes et Ottomanes
June 21-25, 2024
TIRANA, ALBANIA
increasingly emphasized with the accumulation of available scientific
data, leading to a more accurate synthesis of historical phenomena. In
this study, we chose the Krasniqe and Nikaj clans, two of the largest
Albanian clans, from which we collected 23 samples for genetic
sequencing. Genetic data support a variety of other historical,
ethnographic, and anthropological information and simultaneously
serve to further enrich the history of these clans and complement the
mosaic of data on populations or clans constituting the Albanian
ethnicity. The results indicate that the main lineages of both clans have
a common origin in the Adriatic line and that the Krasniqe lineages are
closer to each other than to those of the Nikaj. Additionally, members
of both clans inherited a characteristic haplo group for Northern
Albanians, which is also linked to some ancient results from the region. Genetic data, when treated and used as a historical source, serve to
historicize data that are obscured by time and unforeseeable through
traditional historiographic methods.
Keywords: Krasniqe, Nikaj, Gashi, Albanian clans, genetic
analysis, history, origin, autochthony, antiquity.
continents, sometimes at the same time or one after another. The question of slavery among the Illyrians has occupied little space in the studies of different authors within the ancient Albanian territories, nonetheless the slavery in antiquity has been one of the most important social phenomena directly connected with the production relations. Usually the slavery drastically and forever changed the people's life, but the bad luck chased the slaves even after gaining the much dreamed freedom. Thus, in Rome, the liberated slaves were seen with disbelief and contempt. They after being liberated never became free men, but liberated. The hard conditions of slavery, and the low social status of the slaves, made that many of them dream and try to escape to achieve the freedom not only through liberation from their owners, but even through escape or organized rebellions.
Book published by the Insitute of History, Tirana, 2019. (In Albanian)
The Hundred Years War has had a profound impact on the history of France and England. Yet its impact and importance on the history of other European countries and of Europe in general has been overlooked and much less studied. Even the supporters of the so-called “late medieval crisis”, have not shown any interest in establishing any kind of relationship between the “crisis” of the Late Middle Ages, and the Hundred Years War, although both match perfectly in chronological terms. We aim to establish a relation between the anglo-french conflict of the Late Middle Ages and the difficulties and/or the decline of some European countries and regions during the same time span. Before the war France was the commercial hub of Europe, but during the course of the war became its main battlefield. It was a conflict between England and France, fought and decided entirely in French territories and dependencies. So, how this transformation of the biggest, the richest, the most central and the most important kingdom of Europe, from a commercial hub to a battlefield, influenced the economic landscape of the continent, is a central question to answer? Instead of focusing the attention on the movements and itineraries of the fighting or ravaging armies, we aim to focus on the itineraries of the traders and on the shifting geography of the trade routes. Through her transformation in a battlefield France, once a paradise for the traders, became a paradise for the chivalry and the soldiers, but a hell for the traders. Thus, many countries and regions better suited to serve as an alternative choice for the commerce and the traders, increased their share of the commercial traffic, or better said, of the wealth available.
Portugal became one of these commercial paradises that helped the stream of goods and wealth to flow. At the same time this shifting geography of the trade routes, not only helped these new commercial paradises to strengthen their economies, but it increased the costs of transactions and maintenance of the commerce. Goods and wealth flowed easily through the new routes, but these new trade routes were expensive alternatives of the old French-centred routes. With the end of the Hundred Years War, ended the need to avoid the French routes, and the flow of commerce shifted back to France, but the new geography of the expanded commerce and the wealth accumulated during the war continued for some time to foster the development of the these countries during the time that France was retaking its centrality in the commercial routes of the continent.
Portugal’s economic outlook during the Hundred Years War has been traditionally linked by the historians to the French pattern, widely accepted as negative, depressionist and in deep crisis. The broad framework for this relation is the “late medieval crisis”, or the Malthusian interpretation of the history of Late Middle Ages. According to this interpretation, the “late medieval crisis” was general to the whole of Europe, and even beyond, although recognizing some insignificant exceptions. In fact, focusing on the broad picture, except the generalized effect of the Black Death, most parts of Europe did not go through a “late medieval crisis”. Portugal had all the conditions to gain from the shift of the trade routes, and was one of the most important countries that served the economic system of the continent to continue to run smoothly even with the significant obstacle of the war. During the supposed “crisis”, Portugal went from strength to strength in economic terms. The Black Death took its toll and the money was devalued, but commerce expanded, the area under cultivation increased, its political and geographical boundaries expanded, technological advance was one of the greatest in the continent, its international projection increased, its independence was assured, its towns increased at the time that agriculture boomed and the wealth and the welfare of its people increased.
Comité International des Études Pré-Ottomanes et Ottomanes
June 21-25, 2024
TIRANA, ALBANIA
increasingly emphasized with the accumulation of available scientific
data, leading to a more accurate synthesis of historical phenomena. In
this study, we chose the Krasniqe and Nikaj clans, two of the largest
Albanian clans, from which we collected 23 samples for genetic
sequencing. Genetic data support a variety of other historical,
ethnographic, and anthropological information and simultaneously
serve to further enrich the history of these clans and complement the
mosaic of data on populations or clans constituting the Albanian
ethnicity. The results indicate that the main lineages of both clans have
a common origin in the Adriatic line and that the Krasniqe lineages are
closer to each other than to those of the Nikaj. Additionally, members
of both clans inherited a characteristic haplo group for Northern
Albanians, which is also linked to some ancient results from the region. Genetic data, when treated and used as a historical source, serve to
historicize data that are obscured by time and unforeseeable through
traditional historiographic methods.
Keywords: Krasniqe, Nikaj, Gashi, Albanian clans, genetic
analysis, history, origin, autochthony, antiquity.
continents, sometimes at the same time or one after another. The question of slavery among the Illyrians has occupied little space in the studies of different authors within the ancient Albanian territories, nonetheless the slavery in antiquity has been one of the most important social phenomena directly connected with the production relations. Usually the slavery drastically and forever changed the people's life, but the bad luck chased the slaves even after gaining the much dreamed freedom. Thus, in Rome, the liberated slaves were seen with disbelief and contempt. They after being liberated never became free men, but liberated. The hard conditions of slavery, and the low social status of the slaves, made that many of them dream and try to escape to achieve the freedom not only through liberation from their owners, but even through escape or organized rebellions.
fourteenth and beginning of the fifteenth centuries, with the data available, which we know are very few? Has the Portuguese economy being growing or falling during this period?
Has Portugal accompanied the events in Europe from his corner of
Finisterre? Or, on the contrary, has had its role in the economic geography and political life of the continent? So, how to reconcile the overall crisis and general decline in the Europe of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries with the Atlantic expansion?
The projects of different nationalities for liberation from Ottoman rule cannot be perceived separated from the measures taken by the imperial government against potential rebellions and uprisings. For the Ottomans, as for every political rule, self-preservation and continuity were of major concern. The attempts to undermine the stability of the central power were dealt with great attention. The challenge to Ottoman rule came at times from the imperial state structures as well as from within the Ottoman ruling class itself. As in other similar cases, the rule’s structure and negotiation in Albanian territories evolved through the centuries we are referring to in this study, due to several factors. Firstly, the evolvement of the central power contributed to such a change; secondly, the dynamics of social development in Albanian territories; and thirdly, the shift in international balance of power. Thus, the dynamics and frequency of anti-Ottoman endeavours in general was closely related with the international situation and its influence in the Albanian territories. The uncertainty to rely on a firm support from the Spanish or the Venetians, and later on from the Austrians and Russians, made the local population aware that foreign backing was temporary and shaky. This was one of the reasons that made the secular and religious leaders to act cautiously and avoid becoming part of adventurous local enterprises or ambiguous foreign projects. In contrast to Venice which was interested in maintaining peace with the Ottomans rather than fighting them, Spain as the centre of the Habsburg dynasty, was clearly positioned as the Ottomans’ foe. However, although a perpetual adversary of the Ottomans, Spain was situated very far away to threaten the Ottoman rule, at least in the Balkans. This is a central element in understanding the history and dynamics of the Albanians’ anti-Ottoman attempts and projects.
Nathalie Clayer’s book, Une histoire en travelling de l’Albanie (1920-1939). Avec, au-delà et en-deçà de l’état, deserves appreciation for its historical coherency and novelty. The clear and informative prose would make it undoubtedly a best-seller in the eventuality of being published in Albanian. The book constitutes a major contribution to the history of Albania, expanding our understanding of the complex processes of interaction between state and society in interwar Albania.