Transnationalism and migration: the concept of home in post-communist Albanian diasporas Item Type Thesis or dissertation Authors Vaqari, Dashamir Dr. Citation Vaqari. D. (2020). 'Transnationalism and migration: the concept of home in post-communist Albanian diasporas. Unpublished PhD thesis. University of Derby. Publisher University of Derby Download date 09/10/2021 21:10:42 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10545/624783 UNIVERSITY OF DERBY TRANSNATIONALISM AND MIGRATION: THE CONCEPT OF HOME IN POST-COMMUNIST ALBANIAN DIASPORAS Dashamir Vaqari Practice-based Research PhD submitted to the College of Arts, Humanities and Education of the University of Derby September 2019 i Table of contents List of Illustrations ................................................................................................................................... iv Preface ................................................................................................................................................... viii Abstract ................................................................................................................................................... ix Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................................. x Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 1 Aims ................................................................................................................................................. 1 Rationale .......................................................................................................................................... 1 Personal experience and previous creative practice....................................................................... 5 Sources .......................................................................................................................................... 11 Methodology ................................................................................................................................. 13 1. Historical context of Albanian migration ....................................................................................... 15 1.1 Ottoman period ........................................................................................................................... 16 1.2 Late nineteenth and early twentieth century emigration ........................................................... 17 1.3 Emigration during the Communist period ................................................................................... 19 1.4 Albania after the fall of Communism .......................................................................................... 21 1.4.1 The fall of Communism (1990-1992) .................................................................................... 21 1.4.2 Collapse of pyramid schemes (1997) ................................................................................... 24 1.4.3 Kosovo war (1999) ................................................................................................................ 26 1.4.4 Current situation .................................................................................................................. 30 2. Art, home and Albanian identity ................................................................................................... 34 2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 34 2.2 Art in Albania during the Communist period .............................................................................. 35 2.2.1 Socialist Realist Art ............................................................................................................... 35 2.2.2 Underground Art .................................................................................................................. 49 2.3 The concept of home in contemporary Albanian art .................................................................. 55 2.3.1 Home in symbols of national identity .................................................................................. 55 2.3.2 Home in urban spaces .......................................................................................................... 63 2.3.3 Home in architecture ............................................................................................................ 72 2.4 Impact on my work ...................................................................................................................... 81 3. Transnationalism and the concept of home ................................................................................. 84 3.1 The meaning of “transnationalism” ............................................................................................ 84 ii 3.1.1 Political transnationalism ..................................................................................................... 86 3.1.2 Economic transnationalism .................................................................................................. 89 3.1.3 Socio-cultural transnationalism ............................................................................................ 91 3.2 The concept of home................................................................................................................... 95 3.2.1 Meaning and interpretation ................................................................................................. 95 3.2.2 Social environment and personal identity ........................................................................... 98 3.2.3 Fatherland .......................................................................................................................... 100 3.2.4 Albania as Home ................................................................................................................. 101 4. Practice-based research .............................................................................................................. 104 4.1 Methodology ............................................................................................................................. 105 4.1.1 Stylistic approach ............................................................................................................... 116 4.2 The concept of home in my creative work ................................................................................ 120 4.2.1 Linking home to particular places ...................................................................................... 121 4.2.2 Multiple homes .................................................................................................................. 126 4.2.3 Loss of home ....................................................................................................................... 138 4.2.4 How an old home transfers to a new home ....................................................................... 144 4.2.5 New home .......................................................................................................................... 150 5. Conclusion ................................................................................................................................... 154 Summary ......................................................................................................................................... 154 Impact and importance of research ................................................................................................ 157 Future perspectives ......................................................................................................................... 160 Appendices .......................................................................................................................................... 163 Appendix 1 – Interview with Shpend Bengu ................................................................................... 163 Appendix 2 – Interview with Bashkim Dervishi ............................................................................... 168 Appendix 3 – Interview with Gazmend Bakiu ................................................................................. 171 Appendix 4 – Interview with Venera Kastrati .................................................................................. 173 Appendix 5 – Correspondence with Ardian Isufi ............................................................................. 177 Appendix 6 – Consent forms ........................................................................................................... 179 Appendix 7 – Request for ethical approval ..................................................................................... 184 Appendix 8 – Ethical approval ......................................................................................................... 190 Bibliography ......................................................................................................................................... 191 Interviews ........................................................................................................................................ 191 Conference papers .........................................................................................................................