In the seventh episode of the PIKę podcast, publicist Veton Surroi and Austrian historian Oliver Schmitt discuss Illyrians, Albanians, Skanderbeg, political developments in the world, and other issues.
Surroi: Kosovo-Albania relations continue to be a "one-way street"
Publicist Veton Surroi said that relations between Kosovo and Albania continue to be a "one-way street", during a discussion on the PIKË podcast with Austrian historian Oliver Schmitt.
Schmitt opened the discussion by asking how Surroi sees the future of Albanian-Kosovar relations beyond identity issues, including social, economic, and cultural dimensions.
Surroi stressed that there is a “one-way street” in relations between the two countries, where Kosovo citizens feel at home in cities like Durrës or Vlora, while Albanians in Albania still do not have the same connection to Kosovo. He added that Kosovars have always had a deeper understanding of literature and culture from Albania, unlike on the other side of the border.
According to him, the next challenge is no longer physical existence as a state or nation – a battle already won – but the lack of hope for the future, which is pushing younger generations to seek prospects abroad.
"The depopulation of Kosovo and Albania is so dramatic that in 2031 the population is expected to fall to levels of the 70s-80s," Surroi warned.
He also criticized the lack of economic cooperation, citing the possible example of energy investments on the Devoll River as a failed model of interconnection between the two countries.
Finally, Surroi emphasized that cohabitation between the two Albanian states is a great opportunity for the enrichment of the Albanian space, but requires a common vision for the future and sustainable cooperation in concrete areas that directly affect the lives of citizens.
Schmitt: In an unstable world, we must be modest in our analysis of America and global politics
HAustrian historian Oliver Schmitt analyzed global developments and their impact on the Balkans, emphasizing that today we live in an international order without a single dominant power – a different reality from previous periods of imperial stability, such as the Pax Americana, in a discussion with the publicist Veton Surroi on the PIKċ podcast.
Surroi noted that the Balkans are still facing problems inherited from the 19th century, while entering the second quarter of the 21st century, at a time when world powers are being resized and American influence in the world is fading. He emphasized that the peace built under American dominance is in retreat, adding that the region must reflect on how it will further develop in this new reality.
Schmitt responded by emphasizing the importance of a careful and measured analysis of the current situation, especially US policy. He cited an article from the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, which pointed out that most current analyses aim to position themselves morally or support certain political goals, while the real situation is so unstable that it is impossible to predict with certainty what the US administration's next steps will be.
"We must ask ourselves how we can develop a policy more independent of the US, but while maintaining cooperation with it. We cannot give hasty analyses in such an unstable reality," Schmitt declared.
He added that the fear of Russia is real and has contributed to the rise in tensions in Europe, especially in Germany, where fear and anxiety have always been not only social but also political. As an example, he cited the strong reaction of the new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who used the fear of Trump's policies to support significant changes in German domestic politics.
In conclusion, Schmitt emphasized that in such a complex and unpredictable world, it is imperative to avoid grand theories and hasty interpretations – and that modesty in analysis is the wisest approach at this stage in history.
Schmitt: Albania and Kosovo are forming separate identities, the main difference is political culture
In a discussion with the publicist Veton Surroi In the podcast PIKË, Austrian historian Oliver Schmitt said that the historical division and political developments of the 20th century have significantly influenced the formation of different identities between Albanians in Albania and those in Kosovo.
He emphasized that the existence of two Albanian states in the Balkans is now a reality that influences every day the construction of new social affiliations.
Schmitt stated that this differentiation is not simply a matter of naming as “Albanians” or “Kosovars”, but a result of very different developments that followed the division of Albanian territories after 1918. He singled out the impact of the Enver regime in Albania, which brought complete isolation, extreme nationalization of daily life, and the destruction of social structures, including trust between individuals due to the strong control of the State Security.
"In Enverist Albania, private property disappeared, free movement was prohibited, and religion was erased from public life. In the former Yugoslavia, Albanians moved around, had access to technology, goods, and contacts with the world. These differences have strongly influenced the social consciousness and culture of Albanians on both sides," he said.
According to him, precisely because of these differences, today there is a fundamental difference in political culture between Albania and Kosovo - an aspect that, according to the historian, constitutes the greatest difference between the two Albanian states.
Surroi raised the question of whether this process will lead to the formation of new Albanian identities in the 21st century, including the diaspora, as more diverse and dispersed "Albanian communities", not only in the Balkans, but throughout the world.
Schmitt: Reaction to history shows the level of democratic development of a society
In an open discussion between the publicist Veton Surroi and Professor of Southeast European History at the University of Vienna, Oliver Schmitt, on the PIKË podcast, the issue of Albanian historical myths and the need for their critical review was addressed.
Surroi raised the question of whether Albanian society has the capacity to contest and reinterpret myths constructed in the 20th century, such as the figure of Skanderbeg, the Illyrian-Albanian continuity, or the idea of transcending religion in nation-building. He noted that any attempt to revise these myths has caused great emotions in public opinion.
In response, Schmitt emphasized that the way society reacts to scientific results reflects the stage of its democratic development. According to him, compared to the beginning of this century, society in Kosovo and Albania is more stable and has fewer emotional reactions to historical issues, although they still exist, especially in interethnic contexts such as in Macedonia.
Schmitt stressed that, unlike in the past when the fear of foreign manipulation was great, today Kosovo's independence and national identity are more consolidated. He added that interest in history is declining, which indicates a calmer and more self-confident society.
Taking the figure of Skanderbeg as an example, Surroi emphasized the need to move from the romantic interpretation, where Skanderbeg is seen as a unifier of Albanians and an "athlete of Christ", to a more realistic approach. Schmitt explained that, although Skanderbeg had intentions to create a Kingdom of Arbëria with the support of the Pope, the political reality of the time was much more complex, with powerful regional leaders who often opposed his dominance, as was the case with Lekë Dukagjini.
However, Schmitt emphasized that the idea of creating a united state existed and that Skanderbeg represented this political aspiration, although it was not fully realized in practice.
Schmitt: Albanians can only be compared to the Basques of Spain
Oliver Schmitt (Photo: KTV)
Austrian historian Oliver Schmitt has said that Albanians can only be compared to the Basques of Spain for preserving their identity through language.
In a discussion with the publicist Veton Surroi in the podcast PIKË, the professor of Southeast European history at the University of Vienna emphasized that Albanians are among the rare peoples in Europe who have preserved their identity through language,
"Even in imperial circumstances – in Rome, in Byzantium and especially during the Ottoman period – Albanians, or proto-Albanians, have maintained continuity through language," said Schmitt.
He underlined that the lack of written sources in antiquity does not exclude the fact that the Albanian language has played a key role in the ethnic and cultural identity of Albanians over the centuries.
On the other hand, Surroi raised the question of whether this cultural continuity has later been transformed into a political narrative, where ethnic identity is used to support territorial claims. He mentioned the idea of “ethnic contraction” as an element that often appears in the Albanian national discourse, emphasizing that in many cases, historical analyses still do not speak of the formation of a nation in the modern sense of the word.
Schmitt added that the very change of the name “Albanian”, which comes from the meaning “one who speaks clearly, understandably”, is evidence of the importance that language has had in preserving identity awareness. He also emphasized the importance of studying language not only as a means of communication, but also as a historical source for understanding the way a people has perceived itself in different political and cultural contexts.
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