Vanity Fair writes about Sazani: From treasure island to Trump's billionaires' dream
2026-06-10 14:01:15
TiranaPost
By Marzio G. Mian for Vanity Fair/
Albanians are angry. So much so, that on social media and in recent protests, there is even talk of a revolution. A revolution with an unusual and poetic name for the harsh times we live in: "The Flamingo Revolution."
Behind this romantic name lies a dark story that goes beyond the borders of Albania. At the center of the debate are luxury tourism projects linked to Ivanka Trump, the daughter of US President Donald Trump, and her husband, Jared Kushner, one of the most well-known figures in Trump's close family and political circle.
According to reports, companies linked to Kushner are planning billions of dollars in investments to build ultra-luxury resorts on the Albanian coast. Supporters of the project present it as a historic opportunity for economic development and to put Albania on the world's elite tourism map. Opponents, meanwhile, see it as a direct threat to the country's nature and identity.
"Ivanka Trump, go home!", "Albania is not for sale!", "We want flamingos, not oligarchs!" - these are the words written on the banners of the protesters who have filled the streets of Tirana, but also cities of the Albanian diaspora in Europe and North America.
At the heart of the debate is Sazani, Albania's largest island, and its coastal protected areas, considered among the most pristine in the Mediterranean. For environmentalists, these territories represent a rare ecological and historical treasure. For investors, they are a unique opportunity to create exclusive destinations for global luxury tourism.
Critics warn that uncontrolled developments could endanger entire ecosystems, affecting the habitats of migratory birds, the characteristic flora and biodiversity that has made the Albanian coast one of the most special areas of Southeast Europe.
As bulldozers and architectural plans face citizen protests and petitions, the debate over Sazan is becoming a larger symbol: the clash between economic development and nature protection, between global capital and national heritage.
The question that remains unanswered is simple, but crucial: Will Sazani remain a natural treasure of Albania, or will it become the newest destination for the world's billionaires?
