{"title":"The Balkans","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"325\" data-end=\"551\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eThe Balkans is a region shaped by crossroads—where mountains meet the sea, cultures and traditions have mingled for centuries, and generations have carried their stories forward through music, food, art, family, and community.\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"553\" data-end=\"721\"\u003eIts history has not always been peaceful. Borders have shifted, countries have endured conflict and division, and many families still carry memories of difficult times.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"723\" data-end=\"766\"\u003eBut those chapters are not the whole story.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"768\" data-end=\"837\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"768\" data-end=\"837\"\u003eGirls Wear Crowns celebrates the childhood happening there today.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"839\" data-end=\"1022\"\u003eThese girls learn, play, create, compete, dream, make music, bake with their families, laugh with their friends, and imagine lives that stretch far beyond the places where they began.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1024\" data-end=\"1193\"\u003eEach portrait is a celebration of possibility—not a definition of a country or culture, but an imagined girl inspired by the beauty, spirit, and diversity of the region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1195\" data-end=\"1285\"\u003eBecause wherever a girl is born, her world should be bigger than the history she inherits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1287\" data-end=\"1344\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1287\" data-end=\"1337\"\u003eShe gets to write the chapters that come next.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"elira-of-albania-the-girl-who-bakes-a-little-happiness","title":"Elira of Albania — The Girl Who Bakes a Little Happiness","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003eElira of Albania — The Girl Who Bakes a Little Happiness\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge:\u003c\/strong\u003e 11\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCountry:\u003c\/strong\u003e Albania\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHer story:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eElira believes there are very few problems that cannot be improved by something warm from the oven.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt eleven years old, she has already learned that food can say things words sometimes cannot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eI missed you.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eWelcome home.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eI'm proud of you.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eSit down. Stay awhile.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn her family's kitchen in Albania, Elira measures flour, cracks eggs, and steals tiny tastes when she thinks no one is watching. Her favorite part comes at the end, when the baking is finished and she can turn something ordinary into something beautiful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday, it's cookies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe carefully sprinkles each one, inspecting her work before moving to the next. One gets too many sprinkles. Another is slightly crooked. Elira decides those are the best ones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerfect things, she thinks, aren't nearly as interesting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSomeday, Elira dreams of having a bakery of her own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot a fancy one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe imagines a little shop with flowers in the window and a bell over the door. There will be a table where older neighbors can linger over coffee, a stool at the counter for children who want to watch her decorate cakes, and something fresh from the oven every morning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut Elira's favorite idea is a small basket near the door.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnything placed inside it will be free.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA cookie for a child having a terrible day. Bread for someone who needs it. A pastry wrapped in paper for a person who simply looks like they could use a little kindness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHer grandmother once told her that a generous table always has room for one more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eElira has never forgotten it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo for now, she practices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe bakes. She decorates. She makes spectacular messes. And she is beginning to understand that perhaps her greatest talent isn't making beautiful things at all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's making people feel welcome.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHer dream:\u003c\/strong\u003e To own a neighborhood bakery where everyone who walks through the door feels they belong.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHer wonder:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e“Maybe happiness is something you can make with your own two hands—and then give away.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFine Art Details:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach beautiful piece of our collection is printed Master's Edition archival paper which offers museum-quality for art enthusiasts seeking a luxurious way to enjoy world-class artworks:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePaper Finishing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Matte, uncoated, natural white (off-white).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAcid-Free:\u003c\/strong\u003e pH above 7 to prevent yellowing over time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePaper Weight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 250 gsm (110 lb), Thickness: 0.29 mm (11.4 mils).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAvailable Sizes:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5 sizes in inches (US\u0026amp;CA) and cms (rest of the world).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSustainable Paper:\u003c\/strong\u003e FSC-certified paper for sustainability.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBeautifully designed for any style, any room, any frame.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Girls Wear Crowns","offers":[{"title":"25x25 cm \/ 10x10″","offer_id":45448792113238,"sku":"3215a428-21d8-45d9-a0d9-f719dad2097c","price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"30x30 cm \/ 12x12″","offer_id":45448792146006,"sku":"c5ff5ad3-986c-4a95-95d1-f354affc6a6c","price":30.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50x50 cm \/ 20x20″","offer_id":45448792178774,"sku":"918f52ab-71d3-4479-a2c0-6e676c605a21","price":50.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"70x70 cm \/ 28x28″","offer_id":45448792211542,"sku":"70d3daee-3150-40ec-8f8a-381de787fe1c","price":70.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100x100 cm \/ 40x40″","offer_id":45448792244310,"sku":"bdce92c0-68c2-4da1-983a-3feea5ded134","price":100.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/7456\/4438\/files\/92703936-fd2a-464f-85cd-c2e696db5a5b.jpg?v=1785801480"},{"product_id":"aria-of-albania-the-girl-who-hears-music-everywhere","title":"Aria of Albania — The Girl Who Hears Music Everywhere","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAria of Albania — The Girl Who Hears Music Everywhere\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAge: \u003c\/b\u003e8\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nCountry: \u003c\/b\u003eAlbania\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHer story:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAria hears music in places other people don't.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe click-click-click of her mother's shoes across the\nkitchen floor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRain tapping against the window.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA spoon circling the inside of a teacup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEven the washing machine has a rhythm, although Aria insists\nit has absolutely terrible timing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAt eight years old, Aria of Albania has been picking out\nmelodies on a keyboard for as long as anyone can remember.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBefore she knew the names of the notes, she knew how they\nfelt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSome sounded like sunshine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSome sounded like missing someone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAnd some made her fingers move so quickly that she would\nfinish a song, look down at her hands, and wonder how on earth they had done\nthat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAria loves playing songs she already knows, but what she\nloves most is inventing ones nobody has heard before.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eShe gives all of them titles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThere is \u003ci\u003eThe Song for a Cat Who Refuses to Come Inside.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Pancake Disaster.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAnd a very dramatic composition called \u003ci\u003eEveryone Is\nAnnoying Me Today,\u003c\/i\u003e which she performs with considerably more enthusiasm\nthan her family thinks necessary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut there is one song Aria hasn't named yet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eShe has been working on it for months, adding a few notes\nwhenever they come to her. Sometimes it's joyful. Sometimes quiet. Sometimes\nshe plays the same little melody over and over because she knows something\nbelongs there but hasn't found it yet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHer family asks what the song is about.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAria just smiles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e“I don't know. It isn't finished being itself yet.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSomeday she wants to become a composer and write music for\nmovies, orchestras, and perhaps one enormous concert where thousands of people\nhear something that once existed only inside her head.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor now, though, eight-year-old Aria is perfectly happy at\nher keyboard, flower crown tangled into her hair, discovering what happens when\none note finds the next.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBecause Aria believes every person carries a song somewhere\ninside them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYou just have to get quiet enough to hear it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHer dream: \u003c\/b\u003eTo become a composer and write music that\nmakes people feel stories even when no words are spoken.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHer wonder: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e“Maybe music is what feelings sound\nlike.”\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFine Art Details:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEach beautiful piece of our collection is printed Master's Edition archival paper which offers museum-quality for art enthusiasts seeking a luxurious way to enjoy world-class artworks:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003ePaper Finishing:\u003c\/span\u003e Matte, uncoated, natural white (off-white).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eAcid-Free:\u003c\/span\u003e pH above 7 to prevent yellowing over time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003ePaper Weight:\u003c\/span\u003e 250 gsm (110 lb), Thickness: 0.29 mm (11.4 mils).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eAvailable Sizes:\u003c\/span\u003e 5 sizes in inches (US\u0026amp;CA) and cms (rest of the world).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eSustainable Paper:\u003c\/span\u003e FSC-certified paper for sustainability.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeautifully designed for any style, any room, any frame.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Girls Wear Crowns","offers":[{"title":"25x25 cm \/ 10x10″","offer_id":45448798404694,"sku":"a12a23f8-2224-413e-8b3a-e7924ab08648","price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"30x30 cm \/ 12x12″","offer_id":45448798437462,"sku":"7bb65cf4-83e1-4d00-9cae-2828b85f4223","price":30.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50x50 cm \/ 20x20″","offer_id":45448798470230,"sku":"7c3b1e9d-b213-4e94-ac92-2225945366d2","price":50.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"70x70 cm \/ 28x28″","offer_id":45448798502998,"sku":"a8c02899-f179-476d-9f6e-4423e56c5166","price":70.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100x100 cm \/ 40x40″","offer_id":45448798535766,"sku":"6e53020a-03c1-4c4c-bead-1e91c58181ba","price":100.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/7456\/4438\/files\/a7cdfe6c-7604-4246-983e-8fc96a4183a5.jpg?v=1785801532"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/7456\/4438\/collections\/The_Balkans_b60e4f84-9138-4972-ad6a-3bb133d90d38.jpg?v=1785077242","url":"https:\/\/girlswearcrowns.com\/collections\/the-balkans.oembed","provider":"Girls Wear Crowns","version":"1.0","type":"link"}