On May 28th, Discovering Joy: Ten Years in North Korea was published in Albania! But, why should Albanians be interested in an American woman’s story of what it was like to live in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) for over a decade?

It is no secret that Albania and the DPRK share a common history. As part of the expansion of communism, the rise of communism in Albania began in October 1941. By 1955, Albania became a model Stalinist state adapting Soviet models for almost every aspect of Albanian life.

North Korea, likewise, adapted communism with the founding of the Democratic Peoples’ Republic of Korea (DPRK) in 1948. Communism in the DPRK was viewed as a nationalistic movement, liberating the Korean people from 35 years of Japanese colonialism. As a result, both the DPRK and Albania adopted Stalinist ideals into every fabric of their society.

Slowly Albania changed, though, with economic reforms that led to the opening of the country to Western Europe in 1985. By 1990, North Korea and Albania diverged. Albania became the last of the European countries, outside the USSR, to completely abandon communist rule in December 1990. Whereas, the DPRK would remain steadfast in its communist and Juche philosophies throughout the 1990’s until today.

It has been twenty years now since that diverge. The young generation of Albanians have grown up in the midst of many political upheavals and economic changes. They have the unique perspective of knowing from whence they come while also having a positive outlook for the future. With the history of communism behind them, they are now embracing a more Western outlook and worldview.

Therefore, Albanians have the unique potential of serving as a bridge for the DPRK and the world. Their unique understanding and historical experiences lend them to understand North Korea at a deeper level through their united, common experiences at the same time as serving as a bridge between the West and socialist nations.

But in order for Albanians to serve in this role, they must have first-hand knowledge and experience with North Koreans. Although they share some common history, each country has its own unique cultural and nationalistic perspectives. It is imperative that despite these shared experiences wrong assumptions are avoided and misunderstandings are averted. Instead, just like the rest of the world, Albanians need to approach the DPRK with an attitude of a learner. 

With this humble approach, it may be possible to learn the North Korean worldview and perspective. As Albanians learn more deeply of the DPRK, they will be able to appropriately glean upon their common experiences and help the rest of the world have a more unbiased understanding of North Korea.

It is when the veil of misunderstanding is lifted that reconciliation and peace is possible. For the DPRK, this means an end to a 70 year-long Korean War, a war which has ravaged the country and heart-brokenly divided the Korean peoples. Albanians may be one such peoples, among other former communist nations, that can help usher in the peace on the Korean Peninsula that the world has so eagerly been waiting for.

So, why should Albanians be interested in North Korea? For the shear fact that we are all called to be wounded healers. The whole world is wounded in one way or another. It is when we bond over our common hurts and wounds that we learn how to move past pain and into hope. May Albanians be used as such a vessel of hope to the DPRK. May they experience consolidation as they learn from one another while reflecting upon their shared experiences. Perhaps then, Albanians can share a glimmer of hope to North Koreans as they serve as wounded healers.