How do you say 'land of the eagle' in Albanian? If you said Shapipëria you'd be correct and this week, we've got a double headed eagle on tap for everybody with the flag of (if you haven't already guessed it) Albania! Adopted for national usage on April 7th, 1992 the design of the flag recalls the Albanian Kingdom that existed from 1912 to 1944- the centerpiece of which is the double headed eagle.
The eagle is taken from the Arms of Albania and the black eagle has been an emblem of Albania since the 15th century. However, the double headed eagle first appeared on flags during the struggle against Turkish occupation. (Albania was first part of the Byzantine Empire then the Ottoman Empire before gaining independence in 1912.) From 1944 to 1991 it was under strict Communist rule. The flag shifted a little after the Italian Invasion of 1939- where parts of the Italian arms were added to the flag but the original design was restored in 1942. Once the Communists had consolidated their rule a gold-edged red star was added above the eagle but that was removed by the new multiparty government in 1991.
Ruled with an iron fist by Enver Hoxha until 1985, the Communist regime in Albania was especially harsh and brutal- despite breaking with Moscow to become an ally of Maoist China before breaking with China after 1978 to become officially Hoxhaist for the remainder of the Cold War. It's also left a legacy of bunkers all across Albania. (No seriously... Hoxha was all about bunkers. Everywhere.) It's sad to say but other than this episode of The Simpsons, the knowledge of Albania in the American consciousness is pretty limited- unless you're a massive history buff that's really into Rebecca West and books about the fall of Yugoslavia and the Balkans.
Ladies and Gentlemen, put your hands together for the double headed eagle- because this week, it's Albania!
And remember, until next time- keep your flags flying, FREAK or otherwise!
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