Every year, on average, around 40,000 Albanians leave the country, most of them young. In the northern parts where Fatmir Kastrati comes from, the exodus is among the largest in the country.
During the communist era, his hometown of Kükes had several industries that employed the residents, but now the factories are closed and half of the population has left the town.
– In a three-storey house that used to be full of people, only the parents remain, the children have moved. It is sad to see, he says.
Returned to the family
Fatmir Kastrati was 22 years old when he left Albania for the first time, then for England. But after a total of six years abroad, he has returned to Kükes.
Now he runs a restaurant on the outskirts of the town of Kukës in northern Albania, together with his family.
– I feel proud when people come to the restaurant and say that I do something good here.