Topic: From Albania to Freedom: A Firsthand Account of Communist Rule with Denisa Traboini
When: Tuesday 9/22/2026 at 2:00 pm ET
Born in Albania in 1977, Denisa Traboini spent the first 14 years of her life living under communist rule in Albania. In this episode, Denisa shares her firsthand memories of growing up under the communist regime and offers a rare perspective on what life was like for a child living under a system that shaped nearly every aspect of daily life.
Denisa also reflects on the dramatic contrast between her childhood in communist Albania and the freedom and opportunities she later experienced in a capitalist society. Drawing connections between her own childhood and the experiences of her son, Matteo.
Just days after watching Matteo participate in Constituting America’s Constitution Day program, Denisa shares why freedom, civic education, and an understanding of the Constitution hold such personal meaning for her and her family. Constitutional Chats are hosted by Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, student ambassadors, and experts who join us weekly to discuss hot-topic issues! The audience is not on camera, but you may ask questions!
Meet the Guest
Denisa Traboini
Denisa was born and raised in Albania during the communist regime. She grew up at a time when the government controlled many parts of everyday life and people did not have many of the freedoms that we often take for granted in the United States.
In 1991, when Denisa was just 13 years old, the communist regime was collapsing and Albania was going through a very difficult and uncertain time. Her family made the decision to leave their home country and start a new life. They first moved to Greece and eventually came to the United States, settling first in Boston, Massachusetts, and later in Washington, D.C., where Denisa lives today with her husband and their two teenage children.
Having grown up under communism and then experienced life in America, Denisa has a very personal understanding of what freedom means. She wants to share her story with young people so they can better understand what life was like for someone their age growing up under an oppressive government—and appreciate the freedoms they have today.
Her hope is that by sharing her childhood experiences, students will see the Constitution and the freedoms it protects in a more personal way, and understand why those freedoms are worth learning about, valuing, and protecting.