Gonxhja calls on parents to intervene as young protesters damage public property

Sonila Mehmeti — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 16:44:53 +0000

TIRANA, Oct 15 /ATA/ Tourism, Culture and Sport Minister Blendi Gonxhja urged parents to speak to their children about damaging public property during the protest in the capital, saying the footage called for a response from parents.

“Amid the crowds, minors and teenagers are damaging public property, cultural institutions and historical heritage, including museums, theatres, libraries and places of worship. When it comes to children, responsibility starts at home. Talk to them and remind them of a line that must never be crossed: no anger justifies destroying what belongs to everyone, today and tomorrow,” he wrote.
Gonxhja said that in Tirana, the outdoor areas of the House of Leaves National Museum, the Puppet Theatre, the National Historical Museum and the National Library had been damaged. The exterior area of the Et’hem Bey Mosque, a unique Category I cultural monument, had also been targeted. In Durrës, artworks and installations from the Art Biennale had been destroyed.

According to Gonxhja, “a museum does not belong to a government, a theatre does not belong to a political party, and a cultural monument is neither an opponent nor a target for anyone”.

“These are national public assets, the temples of art, culture and our collective memory. They are places where people go to learn about history and celebrate creativity,” the Minister wrote.

Addressing parents, Gonxhja urged them to talk to their children! ‘Protesting does not mean vandalising!” he said.
“Political views may divide us, but our responsibility to protect history and culture must unite us. Anarchy and chaos must give way to reason,” he stressed.

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appeal-parents-minors – Albanian Telegraphic Agency.

Gonxhja calls on parents to intervene as young protesters damage public property