The directive from Prime Minister Edi Rama that schoolchildren sing the national anthem in a formal setting once a week has not been well received by everyone in Albania.
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| Edi Rama, PM of Albania, standing in front of a Skanderbeg statue; source: Oculus News |
It has been criticized as "idiotic nationalism" by some, while others see it as part of Rama's attempt to incorporate nationalism into his politics at a time when he is being criticized for alleged corruption. Rama, who has been in power for almost a decade, made the announcement on January 17, the 555th anniversary of Skanderbeg's death.
“Good morning, with the ‘Hymn of the Flag,' that is being sung by all pupils of [public] schools, today, on the 555th anniversary of the death of our national hero Gjergj Kastrioti SKANDERBEG, and with a decision that the hymn will be sung in each school each start of the week, I wish you a good day,” Rama wrote in a Facebook video that showed students singing.
Albanian author Lea Ypi from LSE's London School of Economics referred to the initiative as "idiot nationalism."
Albania is united in the celebration of its medieval hero Skanderbeg today and seems to have made the singing of the national anthem compulsory in schools (every week). Clearly what the world needs right now is more idiotic nationalism.
— Lea Ypi (@lea_ypi) January 17, 2023
She tweeted, "Clearly, what the world needs right now is more idiotic nationalism."
Gresa Hasa, a human rights activist in Tirana, agreed that feminist and ecological education should be required in schools rather than nationalism.
After spending his entire life fighting the Ottoman invasion of the Balkans, Skanderbeg passed away in 1468. Since the 19th century, his legend has fostered nationalism in Albania.
His cult grew even more during the Communist era. Documents from the past demonstrate that propagandists during the Communist era praised Skanderbeg as a model for the cult of the Communist dictator Enver Hoxha. In order to portray a non-religious figure at a time when the Communist regime outlawed religion, the Academy of Science emphasized his disagreements with the Vatican.
Children in Albania were encouraged to join youth groups with clearly defined uniforms and militaristic rituals during that time.
One of Rama's ministers had hailed him as the "new Skanderbeg," and he had been sporting an unmanaged white beard for a number of years.