Italian Language and Culture as an Influencing Model for Adriatic Countries, Balkans and Further. Albania in Relation to the Role of Italian Language and Culture

Abstract

Italian language and culture in relation to Adriatic countries, starting with Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania, etc., has a special relation with these countries. This relationship is not only because of the geographical position that these countries have, but also based on the historical past of Italy as a Roman Empire, as the Republic of Venice and as neighbors, in general. Balkan countries that lay by Adriatic Sea have a very special geographical position. They are geographically within Europe, but they have also an influence, some more and some less, by the culture of the East. In these countries, Italian language is studied and learned in schools of secondary education to universities. The influence of the Republic of Venice, it is noted also in architecture and urban life; known as the Venetian style. So, for instance in Croatia, this style is also seen in many towns, which are typical Venetian towns, even from the architectural aspect. This style is noted even in the North of Albania, in the town of Shkodra, where there are neighbors and streets with an obvious influence by this architectural style. Albania has had a special relationship with the Italian language and culture. Italian language, in the time of the totalitarian regime, was seen as a source of literature and culture. Since the ‘80s, it was keenly heard from Italian televisions, state and private one, as a cultural model and pleasure that gave its results in the years 2000. Many journalists, politicians, intellectuals, educated with this culture, took it as a model, even in their professional education. Some generations of the ‘80s to 2000 spoke Italian learned only by watching Italian television channels. DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2014.v4n4p27