Lea Ypi discusses her award-winning book 'Free' & explores how Albanians are negatively portrayed by the media & hard right politicians

'We never lose our inner freedom; the freedom to do what is right'

Lea Ypi grew up in one of the most isolated countries on earth, a place where communist ideals had officially replaced religion. Albania, the last Stalinist outpost in Europe, was almost impossible to visit, almost impossible to leave. It was a place of queuing and scarcity, of political executions and secret police. To Lea, it was home. People were equal, neighbours helped each other, and children were expected to build a better world. There was community and hope.

Then, in December 1990, everything changed. The statues of Stalin and Hoxha were toppled. Almost overnight, people could vote freely, wear what they liked and worship as they wished. There was no longer anything to fear from prying ears. But factories shut, jobs disappeared and thousands fled to Italy on crowded ships, only to be sent back. Predatory pyramid schemes eventually bankrupted the country, leading to violent conflict. As one generation's aspirations became another's disillusionment, and as her own family's secrets were revealed, Lea found herself questioning what freedom really meant.

“Free” is an engrossing memoir of coming of age amid political upheaval. With acute insight and wit, Lea Ypi traces the limits of progress and the burden of the past, illuminating the spaces between ideals and reality, and the hopes and fears of people pulled up by the sweep of history.

Lea was interviewed recently in the Guardian: Hope is a Moral Duty

We're delighted that Lea is making time to come and discuss her award-winning book with us, and also explore how her fellow Albanians face racism and experience hostile scapegoating by the media and hard-right politicans, especially in the UK. She has recently written extensively (and spoken out in broadcast media) on this troubling anti-Albanian racial discrimination and stereotyping.

Come and listen to what she has to say. The conversation is moderated and led by Kate Shurety and ENORB interns, Klaudjo Marena and Lorenzo Capomaggi.