Poles write Albanian history

A History of Albania from the ancient days till 2007 has been published in Poland. Written by Tadeusz Czekalski, Jerzy Hauzinski, Jan Leśny, the publication is enriched with research on post-communist Albania.
This is the first comprehensive synthesis of the history of Albania, published in the Polish language, since 1992. It includes periods from the first archaeological discoveries in the territory of modern Albania, until 2007, year when Mr. Bamir Topi was elected President of the Albanian Republic. The pervious edition of History of Albania by the same authors, published in 1992 “practically stopped at 1946 and reflected the knowledge that existed back then in Poland concerning Albania. This new edition is enriched with research undertaken by the authors on post-communist Albania,” says professor Czekalski.
In the meantime it is the first attempt to bring in Polish the chain of events that defined the political and social life in contemporary Albania.
The book will also serve as a textbook for students studying Balkan studies and who have a live interest in Albania.
The introduction, dedicated to the research on Albanian problems and to the medieval period till the emergence of Skwnderbe, was written by Professor of medieval issues at Poznan University, Jan Lesny.
The history of ancient Albania (before the Roman wars) and the history of the Ottoman occupation are written by Professor Jerzy Hauzinski specialized on Orient and Turkish studies.
The last part of the book, describing the period from the beginning of Tanzimat reforms to the modern days, is written by Professor Tadeusz Czekalski, who has visited Albania several times. He has also written a number of articles regarding Albania, including books such as Short History of Christianity in Albania during 1912-1993, Albania during 1920-1939: state, economy and culture, and Albania during 1920-1924: state apparatus and its functioning.
The movements of population and changes of state borders are illustrated by maps. The book also features tables which reflect the country’s economic development and genealogical tables of Albanian leaders from Taulantia tribes up to the Zogolli family.
In contrast to most publications published in Poland, this book attempts to define the social background and the mechanisms of impact in the society of the communist dictatorship. The analysis of the cultural model, which was unique in its kind during communism and mechanisms of the secularisation of the country are of a special importance. The events taking place within the borders of Albania are closely related to the political transformations in the Albanian communities living in Kosovo and FYROM.
The process of transformation is presented in two phases: up to 1997 and after 1997 as a strictly economic and social phenomenon. “The 1997 crisis was deeply due to some crucial factors as the superficial nature of the changes that were happening, weakness of the state apparatus but also to the essential anti-modernist barriers, which blocked the development of the country” Czekalski added.