Musine Kokalari (1917 - 1983) was Albania's first published woman, created a political party, and dared to speak out for pluralism when her country was falling to communism. She spent nearly 40 years in imprisonment and internment, writing alon

The bandit woman and the businesswomen: Shote Galica of Kosovo

Apr 24th, 2023 28m 3s

Shote Galica (1895 - 1927) took up a gun and fought tradition as well as oppression. We hear her story and talk to designer Ilire Lepaja - owner of a Kosovan business whose products celebrate Shote – about why Shote inspires women today.

The one with the Ashkali karateist who can

Jan 5th, 2022 13m 30s

Sabile Gashi is a many-times medal-winning karateist from Kosovo's Ashkali community. We hear about the inspiration of Kosovo’s Olympian women and Sabile’s motivation in paying forward the opportunities she's had, being told 'you can't; you're

The one with the Kosovan train

Sep 29th, 2021 20m 58s

We clank through beautiful countryside and through time on one of Prishtina’s two daily trains: an adventure for Edith Durham 120 years ago, a horror in the 1999 war, and now part of Kosovo’s European future – if you have a visa.

The one with the pioneering princess

Jun 27th, 2021 21m 13s

Montenegro’s Princess Xenia (1881 – 1960) was a bold and talented photographer and a crucial aide to her father’s efforts to build a new kingdom. On a trip through Cetinje’s mountain landscape, we enjoy her photographs - and gallons of blueberr

The one with Pomegranate and Steel: a taste of Albanian names

Mar 22nd, 2021 16m 20s

This episode introduces some beautifully-named Albanians narrating the meaning of their names, and offers a glimpse of Communist Albania through its list of approved names. And who is honoured in the names Villson, Tonibler and Marenglen? And w

Old-style Kosovo hospitality; new TripAdvisor triumph

Feb 7th, 2021 25m 57s

Kosovo's most popular attraction is also one of its oldest. Meet Bekim and hear the story of how his team of young professionals created the unique Ethnological Museum, a cultural treasure trove and an important site of collective memory.

The one with... mountain tea

Oct 11th, 2020 15m

Our first Coffee In the Accursed Mountains is not in fact an episode about coffee. From the countries bordering the mountains we take another signature hot drink - mountain tea. Marjoram or sideritis - we talk about what your choice of mountain

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