Dua Lipa, the pop singer, has come out in support of protesters in Albania, who have been demonstrating for six weeks against the government’s plans to convert the nature reserve into an upscale real estate venture.
Lipa, who has Albanian-Kosovan ancestry, mentioned the protests, which have been nicknamed “the Flamingo Revolution,” during her Service 95 Book Club podcast.
The protests have erupted over a $1.6 billion project in the Vjosa-Narta lagoon region and on Sazan Island. The developers behind the project include Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump’s company, and conservationists are concerned that it will adversely affect the region’s flora and fauna.
“We can’t talk about the history of Albania without talking a little bit about Albania today,” Lipa said on the podcast. “And I’m sure that a lot of people listening will have heard about all the protests that are happening right now.”
She said she finds the demonstrations inspiring given the level of public engagement they reflect.
“And I have to say, I find it so inspiring to see how much people really care,” Lipa said. “You know, day after day, they’re like hitting the streets because the government has opened up this part of a beautiful nature reserve to a high-end beachfront development.”
Lipa went on to note the international attention the project has drawn because of its ownership.
“And of course, this has been a huge story internationally because the company that’s invested in the project is part-owned by Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump,” she said.
But she said her larger concern lies elsewhere.
“But what I actually find concerning is the principle that the government could just change the law to remove the environmental protection without any kind of public consultation,” she said.
Watch the full podcast episode below!
