Dua Lipa (30) has thrown her support behind the "Flamingo Revolution" protests against a controversial luxury resort in Albania that is connected to investors from the Trump family circle. The singer described the demonstrations against the billion-dollar construction project as "inspiring" and praised the commitment of the people on the ground.
In her podcast "Service95 Book Club", Dua Lipa spoke with Albanian scholar and author Lea Ypi about the protest movement, which is now entering its sixth week. "I find it so inspiring to see how much people really care", the musician said.
For Dua Lipa, the issue also has personal significance: The singer was born in London, her parents are from Kosovo and are ethnic Albanians. She spent part of her childhood in the Kosovar capital Pristina. She repeatedly emphasizes her close connection to Albanian culture and is committed to the region.
Protests against luxury resort on protected island
The trigger for the demonstrations is a planned real estate project in Albania that includes, among other things, the construction of a luxury resort on the island of Sazan. The project with an estimated volume of around 1.6 billion euros is supported by investors led by US entrepreneur Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump. Kushner's wife Ivanka Trump is also involved in the plans.
In addition to a resort on Sazan, Albania's only island, around 10,000 villas are also planned to be built on the coast of the Zvërnec Peninsula. Both areas are considered ecologically valuable and harbor sensitive ecosystems as well as habitats for rare bird species.
Environmental activists are particularly critical of the fact that the Albanian parliament changed the rules for construction projects in protected areas in December 2024. This paved the way for the development. However, there is no evidence that Jared Kushner himself influenced this legislative change.
"What I actually find disturbing is the principle that a government can simply change the law to eliminate environmental protection - without any public discussion", Dua Lipa explained in her podcast.
"Flamingo Revolution": Young Albanians fight for nature
The protest movement in Albania is also referred to as the "Flamingo Revolution" - named after the flamingos and other animal species that live in the affected nature reserves. People have been taking to the streets for weeks, especially in the capital Tirana.
Aleksander Trajce, head of the nature conservation organization Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA), welcomed Dua Lipa's support. Her statements were "fantastic and well-timed". Younger Albanians in particular, who see the singer as a role model, were motivated by this. "It was a very powerful statement. Many young Albanians who see her as an idol were inspired", Trajce said to the "Guardian".
