Prime Minister Edi Rama, during a meeting with the Albanian diaspora in Michigan, commented on the protests held in Albania over the Zvërnec issue, focusing on the symbolism of the flamingo and the attention it received during this summer.
Rama said that the flamingo became Albania's most popular figure, emerging from the Zvërnec lagoon and conquering Tirana, screens and digital spaces, to the point of receiving international attention.
According to the Prime Minister, beyond the debate on nature, development and tourism, as well as what he described as "Trumpism", the June demonstration marked a change in Albanian society's approach to environmental and civic issues.
"This summer, the flamingo became the most popular figure in Albania, it came out of the lagoon, came to Tirana, conquered the boulevard, the screens, the digital mirrors, and received attention on all four sides of the globe. No one would have thought until not many years ago that such a graceful, fragile and wise bird would turn Albania into a global address for a multifaceted debate about nature, about development, about tourism, about Trumpism. Beyond the latter, who for the sake of truth globalized the flamingo of Zvërnec, there was something very significant in the manifestation, in the citizens of the June protest, that attracted not only attention, but also the support of many in the diaspora. Until yesterday, living things were being massacred and no one was complaining. Until yesterday, Albania was being hurt in many ways and the world did not even see it, and Albanians could not even see it, because life developed with the idea that there is even worse. Albanians have started to live with the idea that there is even better. This new approach to society was sealed by that manifestation."