How does the balance between secularism and religion work in Albania?
EH: Secularism is the climate of our continent. We are not any different from the rest of the continent in this respect. Albania follows the French version of secularism, not the more flexible Anglo-Saxon version that perceives the religious element as positive and not to be repressed. Nevertheless, there are differences between the Albanian secularist model and its original French version. The secularist mindset seems to frame only Islam in Albania. Christianity, be it Orthodoxy or Catholicism, is perceived as a modern and trendy European label which transcends secularism. This is an obvious contradiction in the attitude of the Albanian elite regarding secularism, although it is presented as something very natural. The examples of the Albanian politicians who openly attend the Sunday mass, follow the Christian rituals, marry in churches and attend religious ceremonies in their honour are quite natural to the Albanian order of things. In contrast, it is unheard and unseen that an Alban
