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"We Are the Light"
requests for writings and support for
Energy for Albania
| Under the title "The others are the light - Solidarity", I collect letters, texts, poems etc. of people from abroad about the situation in Albania or about the symbolism of darkness and light. Foreigners are highly respected in Albania, so by expressing your solidarity in writing, you do make a difference and do bring light to this beautiful country with its generous people." |
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PICTURE TO PONDER subscriber Silke Liria Blumbach, from Saranda, Albania wrote a letter today which I'm moved to share with you.
"Dear friends,
Unheard by the rest of the world, Albania is collapsing. The reason is an energy crisis, partly of mismanagement, partly because of a draught, which has dried up the reservoirs of the hydrocentrals which produce most of the electricity for Albania.
The consequence is that every day during working hours and later, there are power cuts of 10 - 20 hours. The consequences for the Albanian economy, after more than a month of a "light crisis" with daily power cuts of 5 hours in my town of Saranda and two weeks of heavy crisis, numerous firms face bankruptcy, which will have its repercussions on the Albanian labour market and the social situation in general.
In some places, bakeries cannot bake bread, drinking water cannot be prepared (although it is normal to have water only during 2 hours a day), and hospitals are operated by power generators without warranty. I am working by nightships - in less than one hour, the light will go out, and I have the day to sleep.
I have started yesterday in Saranda a form of positive, creative protest. I have painted on a T-shirt "WE ARE THE LIGHT" and put together a one-page neighbourhood journal I printed out and hang it up in shops and cafés. The resonance was overwhelming.
Under the title "The others are the light - Solidarity", I collect letters, texts, poems etc. of people from abroad about the situation in Albania or about the symbolism of darkness and light. Foreigners are highly respected in Albania, so by expressing your solidarity in writing, you do make a difference and do bring light to this beautiful country with its generous people."
Silke Liria Blumbach - 11/09/05
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