TIRANA, July 7 /ATA/ – Prime Minister Edi Rama on Tuesday rejected claims that the government had allocated 50 million euros to finance a concert by US rapper Kanye West in Tirana, saying the event would be funded through sponsorships and ticket sales.
In a video posted on social media, the government head accused political opponents and critics of spreading what he described as false information to damage Albania’s image.
“The Kanye West concert is a global event that will be fully financed by sponsors and ticket sales,” Rama said, adding that allegations of a 50-million-euro state payment are “a fabricated lie.”
He said the government had initially signed only a letter of readiness as host, guaranteeing security and logistical support while assuming no financial obligations.
Rama said authorities intervened by allocating 4 million euros only at the final stage to prevent the cancellation of the event and avoid reputational damage to Albania, arguing that the concert would generate significant economic benefits for Tirana through foreign visitors and international promotion.
The Prime Minister said the event, expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors, would bring returns for the capital’s economy and increase Albania’s visibility among global audiences.
Rama also criticised what he called online misinformation and manipulation surrounding public debates, saying legitimate concerns behind protests should not be overshadowed by “falsehoods and hate.”
“The problem is not the right to protest. The problem is when protests are fuelled by misinformation, disinformation and manipulation,” Rama said. “The problem is not the flamingos; the problem is the crows and ravens.”
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