The “Flamingo Revolution” in Albania

The so-called “Flamingo Revolution” is a protest movement that emerged in Albania in 2026. The protests were triggered by plans to build a luxury resort in the protected Vjosa-Narta coastal area near Zvërnec. Many citizens, environmental activists, and young people fear that the project could damage valuable natural habitats that are home to flamingos, pelicans, and many other species.

The flamingo became the symbol of the movement because the region is one of the most important habitats for these birds in the Balkans. Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Tirana and other cities, demanding greater transparency, stronger environmental protection, and more public participation in political decision-making.

The protests are directed not only against the construction project itself but also against corruption, lack of transparency, and the country’s political leadership. Many participants see the “Flamingo Revolution” as a symbol of the desire for a fairer and more sustainable Albania.

Although the government defends the project as an economic opportunity, the protest movement has already attracted international attention and sparked a broad debate about environmental protection and sustainable development in Albania.

Voices of the People

For this photographic project, I portrayed individual protesters holding their handmade signs. The messages displayed on these placards reflect personal opinions, demands, and responses to the current social and political conditions in Albania.

My intention was not only to document the protest as a collective movement, but also to move closer to the people who are part of it. Behind every slogan is an individual story, a personal perspective, and a reason for speaking out.

The people portrayed traveled from Tirana to Zvernec to take part in the demonstration on site. By focusing on individuals and their messages, the photographs create a direct connection with those who give the protest its voice. They reveal that social change is not only driven by crowds, but by many individual voices, hopes, and demands.

Flamingo Revolution – Voices of the People is a documentary exploration of the individuals behind the protest and an attempt to give visibility and space to their concerns, experiences, and aspirations