Albania:coming of age at the end of history

In December 1990, Albania changed almost overnight from an isolated communist state into one where people could vote freely, wear what they liked, and worship as they wished. But as factories shut and jobs disappeared, optimism quickly gave way to disillusionment for many of the country’s citizens. Drawing on a new book, Lea Ypi writes on life in Albania under communism and how the country’s transition left her questioning what freedom really meant.