ALBANIA: PYRAMID SAVINGS-SCHEME VICTIMS TURN TO RELIGIOUS CULT "HOLY TEMPLE OF ELEONORE"

Record ID: 566026

  • Title: ALBANIA: PYRAMID SAVINGS-SCHEME VICTIMS TURN TO RELIGIOUS CULT "HOLY TEMPLE OF ELEONORE"
  • Date: 15th February 1997
  • Summary: TIRANA, ALBANIA (FEBRUARY 15, 1997) (RTV -- ACCESS ALL) 1. GV EXTERIOR OF HOLY SHRINE OF ELEONORE WITH CATTLE GRAZING IN FIELD 0.03 2. LAS/PAN SHRINE ENTRANCE SIGN 0.09 3. LV SHRINE 0.13 3. SLV CULT MEMBERS PRAYING INSIDE ROOM FOR MONEY (4 SHOTS) 0.35 4. LV/SV CULT MEMBERS OUTSIDE SHRINE, ONE WOMAN IN A TRANCE 0.44 5. SV CULT LEADER "SAINT" ELEONORE NIGJAR ARRIVES (WEARING A BRIGHT GREEN GOWN AND HEADDRESS) AND LEADS CULT MEMBERS AROUND SHRINE 1.01 6. SCU/SLV CANDLES BURNING IN SHRINE/ ELEONORE LOOKS THROUGH WINDOW AT SHRINE 1.07 7. SCU FEET OF CULT MEMBERS AS THEY WALK ALONG GREEN CARPET PAST SHRINE 1.09 8. LV CULT MEMBERS WALK AROUND SHRINE 1.14 9. SLV/PAN (INTERIOR): CULT MEMBERS PRAYING/ELEONORE SITTING ON CHAIR USING "WORRY" BEADS 1.24 10. SLV ROOM FULL OF CULT MEMBERS/CAMERAMAN IN DOORWAY/ WOMAN BANGING HER HANDS ON THE CARPET 1.31 11. SV ELEONORE LEADS PRAYERS 1.35 12. SCU WOMAN CULT MEMBER PRAYING 1.43 13. SLV ROOM OF CULT MEMBERS PRAYING WITH ELEONORE LEADING PRAYERS 1.47 14. SCU ELEONORE SITTING AND SAYING IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES WE ARE PASSING THROUGH I AM NOT FRIGHTENED BUT TROUBLED. BUT IT IS MY DUTY TO STOP THE NEGATIVE CHARGES (ALBANIAN) 1.59 15. SLV MOSLEM ARRIVING TO BE BLESSED BY MOSLEM HOLY WOMAN 2.03 16. SV WOMAN KNEELING AND PRAYING NEXT TO KORAN/LEANING FORWARD AND KISSING KORAN 2.11 17. SCU KORAN AND FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS AROUND IT/ WOMAN KISSES KORAN 2.18 18. SV MOSLEM HOLY WOMAN BLESSING SMALL CHILD (3 SHOTS) 2.35 19. CU WOMAN WITH HANDS TO HER FACE 2.38 20. CU THE HANDS OF WOMAN IN BLACK PALMS UP 2.41 21. SV PEOPLE ARRIVING TO BE BLESSED KISSING "SCARVES" (2 SHOTS) 2.56 Initials s3 p3 Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
  • Embargoed: 2nd March 1997 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: TIRANA, ALBANIA
  • City:
  • Country: Albania
  • Reuters ID: LVAEZ3D2J3AW673XJDU7PJIPABNM
  • Story Text: - INTRO: Some Albanians have turned to a bizarre cult in the hope of retrieving their lost life-savings through failed investment schemes.

    As thousands of angry Albanians take to the streets in the south of the country, residents in the capital Tirana have turned religious.

    On Saturday (February 15) on the outskirts of Tirana, followers of the ten year-old cult of the "Holy Temple of Eleonore", were led in prayer by their leader and spiritual healer "Saint" Eleonore Nigjar.

    Trance-like, the cult members circled their holy shrine and followed their leader, who was dressed in a long, green robe, in religious prayer. Other members lit candles and chanted.

    Approximately 200 people gather everyday at the shrine, many asking for help after losing everthing in the crash of the pyramid investment schemes.

    "Saint" Nigjar said that during these difficult times, she was not frightened but worried and that it was her duty to stop the negative charges, afflicting the people.

    The Moslems in the capital, who believe Nigjar to be blasphemous, take a different road to prayer but also ask for their money to be returned.

    Mainly women arrive to be blessed by the Moslem holy woman and pray next to the Koran.


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