Letters Albania Accolades

Regarding “A Vacation Report From Albania” (Jan. 16):

Albania didn’t “recently” open its crumbling doors to tourists for the first time. I was in Albania well before their revolution, in 1990, along with a handful of other Americans, on an all-Greek-speaking, six-day bus tour from Athens. I was disappointed to learn that the author saw only one other tourist in his entire week. I had hoped that others would take advantage and visit Albania--undoubtedly, the most fascinating nation in Europe.

JAMES FUHRMAN

West Hollywood

You are to be commended for the wonderful article about Albania.

Permit me to add a comment about the wonderful people.

During the Holocaust, every one of the 300 Albanian Jews and the 600 Greek and Yugoslav Jews who “escaped” into Albania was hidden or protected by the people of Albania and survived. Approximately 20 Albanians have been honored by Yad Vashem for rescuing Jews. They include Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox and Muslims. Their full story has yet to be told.

HARVEY SARNER

Honorary President

Albanian-Israeli Friendship League