THE INFLUENCE OF ITALIAN TELEVISION AND CINEMA IN THE PERIOD OF THE COMMUNIST DICTATORSHIP
Keywords:
influence, television, cinema, communist, dictatorship, art, filmAbstract
Before delving into the two themes that outline the period of socialist system in Albania (1944-1991). We will attempt to provide a brief retrospective by referring to the early influences of Italian culture in Albania. Based on historical facts, the influence or impact of Italian culture during the socialist period did not start there, nor was it incidental, but rather a continuation of a relationship that dates back hundreds of years. One of the theses of Italian cultural influence in various aspects of Albanian life is the geographical proximity between the two countries. By carefully observing the distant past now belonging to history, we notice that there is an extra factor, other than geographical proximity that serves as the glue for this cultural fusion. The question arises: What is it? What were the reasons that made Italian political and cultural hegemony necessary in Albania? The first undeniable fact that catches the eye is, Albania borders many nations, but none of the neighboring Balkan countries have had the same effect as Italy. The Albanian people resonate more with Italian culture than any other. Italian influence has been embraced by Albanians as a welcomed addition rather than an imposed one. There may be several reasons. Today we will consider the main reason: the similarity in temperament and inevitable intertwining of history between the two nations. The beginnings of this path of cultural influence date back very early. Referring to history, the Italo-Albanian connections date back to around the 1800s. But if we go even further back in time, it would be the years 1259, and then 1478, when the Ottoman army's conquest of Kruja, triggered the exodus of Arbëreshi settlers towards Calabria.
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