La Société Spectrale, Eat Grass, 2022

In the beginning of 1990s, a group of American diplomats accompanied by some Albanians traveled to the northern, mountainous region of Dukagjin in a large four wheel drive car. Upon arriving, the diplomats were met by a local family who invited them for lunch in their garden. During lunch a lot was said about how the country will change and how democracy will work. They spoke about how prosperity and freedom will replace the communist disaster and isolation of the past. In the middle of this Western monologue, the oldest man of the house, a wise one with a big mustache, got up and without saying a word walked towards the barn. He returned with a big armful of hay and placed it in front of the four wheel drive parked nearby – so that it could also eat and thus be made to feel welcome, like the other guests.

Based on a true story told by US diplomats working over the years at the US Embassy in Tirana. Although more than thirty years have passed, they still haven't understood the wise old man's gesture.