 |
| Bjorn Edgar |
He looks like a traditional Albanian, but this is Bjorn Edgar from Sweden, 78 years old and in love with mountainous Albania.
"We came with a group of tourists in the communist era but I promised that if Albania opens I will come again. A language is like a key that opens the door, opens the door, I can talk to people, I can read," he told Report TV.
And so it happened. The opening of the borders in 1990 was the moment to fulfill the promise he had given himself. Bjorn already speaks 8 foreign languages, but the way he has learned Albanian is impressive.
"I learned it with a book, with tape, in the beginning, then I started traveling, when Albania opened I had no problem, I like your country very much", he says.
The 78-year-old from Sweden, once a foreign language teacher, comes to Albania every year. The event he would never want to miss is the book fair. He has read the titles of a large number of authors, including Ismail Kadare, Vili Minarolli, Dritëro Agolli and the works of Enver Hoxha.
Bjorn Edgar is already alone on his travels, but until recently, his permanent companion was his wife, who is no longer alive. What he likes most in Albania is nature, highlighting the mountains, as well as the southeastern area of the country.
"I like the mountains, also the sea. Malësia e Madhe, Gramozi is a miracle, even in the north Vermosh, Tamara, Voskopoja. Korça is a charming city, unlike other cities, it is high, fresh air. In hotels, or in camping, or in the car, a little isolated, in nature, I really like Albanian nature", he says.
Even the Illyrian traditions and culture, for Bjorn make Albania unique…
"Albanian dances are wonderful, they are a bit like the Greeks, you are a bit similar, only the language is different, you are Illyrians, Illyrian roots. Albania is more exotic than Greece", says Bjorn.
As a regular visitor to our country, the 78-year-old can tell the drastic changes of recent years.
"It has changed a lot, from one year to the next, the towers, it is a Manhattan. Better view, it is wonderful, they have arranged the square, the park, the streets. A few years ago the roads were very bad, hard to travel, now are fine, it makes it a lot easier for a traveler like me, can go anywhere.