Gendered Aspects of Migration from Southeast Europe The research The project  

Φωτογραφία
Burbuqe and her friends having a rest during army drills, Fier 1972.

« At that time in Albania men were the ones in control. That is, [in control] of everything. My mother was in charge of the house (noikokira). She did the cooking, she did the laundry, since in those days we didn’t have washing machines, or refrigerators, or anything else. All the housework was done by women. Women took care of the house. That’s why my mother stopped working when we were growing up. She couldn’t go to work. Only my father and we were working. Also you couldn’t have your tummy out like nowadays. At that time women wore skirts that reached down to their toes. That was a good thing. It wasn’t bad. But if my father lived today (laughing) he probably would have gone mad. If you go now to Albania you’ll see that things have become the same as here. Women now [in Albania] are just like here. Women are in control of everything. »

Ilir (48, Albania )

Communist women

Reflections of the Other Being European Gendered journeys Religion and identity Faith Communist women Father figure National holidays Political biographies Myths and heroes Commuist nostalgia