Ringjallja e etnicitetit në kohën digjitale: Diaspora e Shqiptarëve në Ukrainë
The Revival of Ethnicity in the Digital Age: The Albanian Diaspora in Ukraine

Summary/Abstract: The diaspora of Albanians living in Ukraine is a vivid example of the preservation of the language and traditional culture for five centuries being in isolation from origin tradition and experiencing various stages of self-consciousness and ethnicity. After the crucial geopolitical events of the end of 2013 – the beginning of 2014 in Ukraine we state a new interest for Albanian language and culture among the Albanians of Ukraine. The colossal splash of ethnic self-consciousness is supported at various levels. On the one hand – because of the efforts of rural enthusiasts, school teachers, and local public figures. On the other hand – in 2018 and 2019 the Albanian village Karakurt in Odessa region was visited by the Minister of State for Diaspora and representatives of the National Agency of Diaspora from Albania, which resulted as a real path to the “homeland” for representatives of the diaspora, but at the same time – as an expression of symbolic support for diaspora’s new ethnic feelings. This gave a new impuls for the communication between the Albanians of Ukraine and the Albanians of the Balkans. Social media and especially Facebook became a real “window to Albania” and to Albanian diasporas abroad. Different events covering diaspora’s life are represented in several webcommunities created by Albanian ethnic leaders, but mostly there is information about the entire “Albanian world” aiming at having feedback from Albanians abroad to support the desired ethnic “well-being”. This process is accompanied by a closer acquaintance with the dialect and culture of the Albanians of Ukraine, but on the other hand – with the active adoption of common Albanian national symbols by diaspora’s community (the national flag, the figure of Skanderbeg, etc.). The report will present a look at the current process of the ethnic revival of Albanians in Ukraine based on the authors’ field research in 2018–2019.

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