Peacemaker breaks the ancient grip of Albania’s blood feuds
June 25, 2008 The Christian Science Monitor
A revival of Albania’s ancient tradition of blood feuds has seen violence spike in the country since the fall of communism. There, the code of kanun insists that blood must be paid for with blood, and therefore forgiveness is often a “second-best” option. However, Agim Loci and his NGO – the Committee for Nationwide Reconciliation – try to reverse those priorities. Now a famous mediator of personal disputes and a practitioner of “shuttle diplomacy,” Loci opens channels of communications between feuding families in an attempt to breed forgiveness. His numerous successes are marked by a new Albanian tradition: “a formal ceremony [where the families] sign a videotaped declaration ending the feud.” Read more about how Loci is trying to foster dialogue and heal Albania on a personal level.
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