The Albanian Story
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Albania is a country that has fascinated visitors to Corfu for decades. At it's nearest point, Corfu nudges so close to Albania, you'd think you could skim a stone across and hit the other side. Tantalisingly close, and yet for almost 50 years the suggestion of swimming across the straights was out of the question for all but the incredibly brave. Because until the early 90s, it was a heavily militarised border that separated western leaning Greece and the Albanian communist dictatorship of Enver Hoxha. Albanians were routinely shot dead in the water attempting to escape and yet an untold number of them still persevered. Many of those who made it have remained on the island and established successful businesses in construction and tourism.
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Our story
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In 2014 nine friends did the first ever charity swim from Albania to Corfu. Amongst the swimmers was Romi Topi, who helped raise monies for the establishment of a permanent memorial for the Albanians who didn’t make it across the channel.
After successful swims in 2016, 2018 & 2019 and over €60,000 raised, Albania Overboard is now an annual event. |
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