Photos: Dimitris Sakalakis

The first time I visited Albania was for a photography workshop, though returning I realized something was still missing, therefore I went back twice. The minute I arrived I knew exactly what I had to take on; i just wasn't quite sure as to how i would express it. It wasn't long before I discovered how much I admired these women, however the reason was unexplainable. Young, old, women of all ages were speaking to me revealing everything I wanted to capture. The background in some way refers to the harsh history Albania's undergone, though besides that, these personas stood in front of it loyally, respecting their land in the hopes that one day their home as they know it might flourish again.