The abandoned village station has become a leisure center for Ballsh's residents from Southern Albania. July 2020.
Dismantled buildings, abandoned gas stations and plots for sale are a common part of the Albanian landscape. In the photograph, a dismantled structure next to a service station that has been converted into a hay warehouse for the surrounding farmers in Lushnja. May 2019.
Illiri, a farmer who lives and works next to a refinery in Ballsh, burns olive tree prunings. July 2020.
Abandoned machinery and tall grass on a former adjacent gas station that has turned into a football pitch for younger generations. May 2019.
A sample of the Gjanica, the most polluted river in Albania. The Industrial negligence, mainly oil spills from Patos-Marinza and Ballsh refineries, is affecting the agricultural, herding and fishing activities from most of Southern Albania. May 2019.
The lake of Rezevuari i Hekalit in Ballsh, surrounded by oil wells of the Mallakastër industrial complex. May 2019.
Workers of Bankers Petroleum in the oil field of Marinëz. In order to extract the crude from under the soil the refineries use different techniques including fracking as of most recently in the south of Albania. The introduction of fracking has resulted in the regular earthquakes destroying the homes of 71 residents and damaging 540 more during the last decade. Bankers Petroleum made a donation to help rebuild some of the homes but has not claimed responsibility. May 2019.
Gjelltore. A popular restaurant in Ballsh, adjacent to a gas station, is usually frequented by workers from all around the Mallakastër region. July 2020.
Traces of cars. The vehicle is the Albanian religion, this may be one of the poorest countries in Europe but the most popular car in Albania is the Mercedes-Benz. Accelerating and drifting are some common activities of the owners to show off the power and luxury of their machines. May 2019.
A poulterer shepherdess observes the abandoned station of Ballsh. July 2020.
Three friends have a break in the vicinities of Ballsh. July 2020.
Linaq, a 12-year-old neighbor of Ballsh, is affected by architectural pollution. She lives with her family few meters away from an abandoned house damaged by fires 25 years ago. Ruins such as this one are spread out all over Albania. July 2020.
Orphan advertisement. A blank billboard sits by a highway outside of Lushnja. A predominant element of the Albanian roads in the most polluted area of the country, where companies are not pursuing advertising. May 2019.
