Organized by the Institute of Books and Promotion, the festival explores the theme “When Silence Speaks: Literature That Transcends Borders, Challenges Narratives, and Restores Excluded Voices.” Through powerful storytelling, the event addresses memory, trauma, identity, diaspora, and the narratives left at the margins.

This edition of “Tirana Gate 2026” will take place at Vila 31 x Art Explora and other cultural venues across Tirana, including the National Library. Writers, poets, translators and scholars from Albania, the region and various European countries will participate in the sessions and panel discussions.

International guests include German writer Martina Hefter (winner of the 2024 German Book Prize), Ersi Sotiropoulos (Greece), Emilios Solomou (Cyprus), Alfredo Villaverde Gil (Spain), Antonio Caiazza (Italy), Salim Nizam (Turkey) and Raluca Nagy (Romania). The festival will also feature authors from Croatia, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Montenegro.

Albanian literature will be represented by Rita Petro, Flutura Açka, Besnik Mustafaj, Diana Çuli, Namik Dokle, Liridon Mulaj, Ben Andoni, Eris Rusi, Anna Kove, Arta Marku and Majlinda Rama.

The program explores key themes such as the body and memory, forgotten archives, intergenerational trauma, the diaspora, representation, and young people’s relationship with books. A dedicated panel will discuss the challenges of reading in the digital age, featuring members of the National Youth Reading Club and the Student Parliament.

The program also includes creative writing workshops—such as “From Idea to Novel,” led by Ivana Trajanoska, and “Open the Book, Open the World,” dedicated to family reading. Additionally, there will be book launches and signing sessions with the participating international authors. /p.s./

According to INSTAT data, the retail sales volume index reached 125.0, up by 1.6% compared to the first quarter of the year.

The growth was mainly driven by non-food items with 2.7 percentage points, followed by hydrocarbon trade with 2.1 percentage points and the food, beverages and tobacco group with 2 percentage points.

Hydrocarbons recorded the highest annual growth, at 8.4%, while compared to the first quarter, sales volume increased by 2.1%.

Sales of non-food items increased by 6.4% compared to a year earlier, while food, beverages and tobacco by 6.0%.

In quarterly terms, non-food items increased by 1.9%, while the food, beverages and tobacco group increased by 0.4%.

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According to legal provisions, one can pursue the revaluation process through two ways.

The individuals who plan to put their property on the market during the period 2026-2028 can choose revaluation based on the real market value, relying on a professional valuation report, which is then used for application to the State Cadastre Agency.

This allows the property to be revalued at the maximum value offered by the market.

However, the citizens can apply for revaluation according to state reference prices, through the e-Albania platform, to the State Cadastre Agency.

After submitting the application, there is issued an invoice for the tax on the difference in the value of the property, which is paid at the bank and then uploaded to the system to complete the procedure. At the end of the process, the owner is provided with a new property card, which reflects the updated value.

In context of the revaluation campaign, the real estate market is expected to be characterized by a slower rate of price growth during 2026, compared to the last two years. It is also expected that the supply of properties will be higher, creating more alternatives for citizens.

It is appreciated that a significant number of properties, including apartments, will be subject to revaluation, while participation in this process remains at the discretion of individuals.

The 2026 campaign is considered an opportunity to benefit from the fiscal relief, as after its completion, there is expected to be restored the standard tax rate of 15% for real estate transactions.

Meanwhile, requests for revaluation filed with the State Cadastre Agency, which have not been processed by December 31, 2026, will be considered valid within the framework of this campaign, as long as the tax payment is made by March 31, 2027. /j.p/p.s./

From football to winter sports, Albanian athletes not only held their own internationally but, in several cases, achieved historic firsts.

National football team and World Cup ambition

The defining sporting moment of the year came when Rei Manaj scored the decisive goal against Serbia, handing Albania a historic victory and placing the national team in genuine contention for a place in the 2026 World Cup playoffs for the first time.

The goal became a rallying point for fans across Albania, Kosovo and Albanian communities abroad, as the team advanced to the decisive phase of the qualifiers. The campaign strengthened belief that World Cup qualification is now a realistic objective rather than a distant aspiration.

Albania’s women’s national team also broke new ground, reaching the European Championship playoffs for the first time and earning promotion to Nations League League B, underlining the steady progress of women’s football in the country.

Giro d’Italia brings global promotion

Albania hosted stages of the Giro d’Italia for the first time in 2025, placing the country in the international spotlight. The event showcased Albania’s landscapes to a global television audience and was widely praised for its organisation, meeting European standards.

Officials said the race boosted the country’s profile as both a sporting and tourism destination. 

Wrestling delivers historic breakthrough

Wrestling emerged as one of Albania’s standout sports of the year. Chermen Valiev won the European title and claimed silver at the World Championships, marking Albania’s first appearance among the global elite of freestyle wrestling.

Zelimkhan Abakarov added a European bronze medal, while Islam Dudaev won the prestigious Grand Prix tournament in Spain, results that established Albania as an emerging force in the sport.

Athletics and winter sports gain momentum

In athletics, Luiza Gega continued to lead the way, winning gold in the 5,000 metres at the European Third Division Championships. Franko Burraj and David Nikolli also secured medals at European events, highlighting the emergence of a new generation of competitors.

Winter sports produced one of the year’s most unexpected success stories. Nineteen-year-old Lara Colturi won medals at the World Junior Championships and reached multiple World Cup podiums, finishing the season ranked among the world’s top 10 skiers – a first for Albania.

Albania also enjoyed a strong debut at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, winning eight medals, including two golds.

Weightlifting remains a pillar

Weightlifting once again proved to be one of Albania’s most reliable sports. Alongside established lifters Erkand Qerimaj and Briken Calja, young athletes impressed. Enkilejda Carja won three gold medals at the European Junior Championships and added medals at the World Championships, while Ertjan Kofsha claimed silver and bronze at continental competitions.

Investing in youth sport

Authorities continued to expand the “Sports teams in schools” programme, aimed at integrating organised sport into daily school life. Through nationwide inter-school basketball and volleyball competitions, thousands of students took part in structured activities, creating a broader talent base for clubs and federations.

Officials say the programme also promotes social inclusion, discipline and fair play, and is expected to contribute to long-term improvements in sporting standards.

A year marked by loss

The year also ended with the death of Ismet Bellova, the veteran sports commentator whose voice defined generations of Albanian sports broadcasting. His passing marked the end of an era in sports journalism, with colleagues describing him as a symbol of professionalism and passion.

Raising expectations

Overall, 2025 signalled a new level of maturity for Albanian sport. From international medals to the hosting of global events, the country demonstrated growing ambition and capacity, laying foundations for future success.

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Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja said on Friday the designation honours Korça’s long sporting tradition and its commitment to strengthening community life, infrastructure and athletic programmes.

The certificate was presented during a ceremony at the European Parliament in Brussels, attended by Deputy Minister Endri Hoxha, Korça Mayor Sotiraq Filo, Albanian Olympic Committee President Fidel Ylli and Klevis Kaso, member of the Albanian Basketball Federation board.

Korça becomes the fourth Albanian city to receive the ACES Europe label, following Tirana, Vlora and Shkodra.

Gonxhja said the award represents a major achievement and a valuable opportunity to promote the city internationally in sport, tourism and culture.

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Speaking at the event, which brought together regional policymakers to discuss trade cooperation and economic integration, Ibrahimaj highlighted the challenges facing Western Balkan economies amid shifting global supply chains, climate pressures, and increasing competition.

She said CEFTA remains a key mechanism for regional stability, security, and long-term economic growth, serving as a foundation for gradual integration with the European single market.

Ibrahimaj emphasized the need to make regional cooperation a daily practice through rule harmonization, digitalisation of border points, greater transparency, business involvement, technical assistance, and SME participation in policymaking. She also stressed that political commitment is essential to reduce bureaucracy and build a business-friendly investment climate.

Albania’s CEFTA presidency will focus on four strategic priorities: strengthening political and institutional cooperation among CEFTA members; enhancing transparency and stakeholder participation in policymaking; delivering concrete benefits for businesses, particularly in goods circulation, Green Lanes, tourism, and agri-food trade; and supporting value-added investments through a more harmonized and predictable regional market.

Ibrahimaj said Albania is committed to advancing CEFTA in line with European integration and promoting shared economic development in the Western Balkans.

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The initiative, led by the Municipality of Korça, is supported by the Albanian National Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Education and Sports.

ACES Europe President and founder Gian Francesco Lupattelli, along with Secretary General Hugo Alonso and other board members, visited Korça to assess the city’s sports infrastructure.

The delegation toured local sports facilities following a formal presentation by Mayor Sotiraq Filo.

Lupattelli was accompanied by key Albanian sports officials, including Olympic Committee President Fidel Ylli and Deputy Minister of Education and Sports Endrit Hoxha.

Korça is the fourth Albanian city – after Tirana, Shkodra, and Vlora – to seek the European City of Sport title from ACES Europe.

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Speaking at a press conference, the Governor of the Bank of Albania Sejko said core inflation also rose to 2.6% due to higher wages and a stable exchange rate.

He noted that inflation was slightly below initial forecasts, citing lower business profit margins and easing inflation in the Eurozone.

The Bank of Albania expects inflation to return to its 3% target by mid-2026, supported by improved supply-demand balance, global price stabilization, and well-anchored domestic expectations.

“According to the Bank of Albania’s projections, inflation is expected to return to the 3% target during the first half of 2026. This trend will be supported by a better balance between demand and supply for goods and services, stabilizing global inflation, a more stable exchange rate, and clearer, well-anchored inflation expectations in the country,” Sejko stated.

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