TIRANA, July 11 /ATA/ – Prime Minister Edi Rama on Saturday defended the government’s support for U.S. rapper Kanye West’s concert in Tirana, describing the event as an investment in tourism and international promotion rather than a one-night expense.
West, also known as Ye, is due to perform on Saturday evening at the makeshift Eagle Stadium, built along the Tirana-Durrës highway for the event and expected to attract tens of thousands of fans.
In a post on social media, Rama shared images of the completed venue, saying the concert would place Albania “on another global map” by drawing international music fans who would later return to visit the country.
Responding to criticism over the government’s reported 4 million euro contribution, Rama said the money should be viewed as an investment that would generate returns through increased spending on hotels, restaurants, bars, shops and transport.
“The 4-million-euro funding is an investment that will be recovered through the thousands of visitors filling hotels, apartments, restaurants, bars, shops and taxis,” Rama said, adding that the state would also benefit from higher tax revenues linked to increased consumption.
The government head said an event of such scale is s “global marketing” for Albania and would have cost far more if promoted through traditional advertising campaigns.
“Culture is not only artistic value but also a driver of economic development, tourism, employment and consumption,” Rama said. He added that cancelling the concert would have damaged Albania’s international image.
“Albania does not succeed by hiding from the world. Albania succeeds by bringing the world to its doorstep,” he said.
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