At the opening ceremony held at the historic former Royal Villa in Durrës, Deputy Minister of Culture Lira Pipa highlighted the event’s importance in promoting contemporary art and building new bridges of cooperation between countries and communities.

Pipa expressed her gratitude to the Biennale’s founder, the artist and art historian Oltsen Gripshi who established it to highlight Albania’s coastal heritage through global artistic dialogue. She also held in high esteem the curator of this edition Massimo Scaringella; the Municipality of Durrës; the embassies; and all the partners who contributed to making this cultural event a reality.

This year’s Biennial features 45 artists and 34 national pavilions, showcasing a vast global footprint that spans from Italy, Germany, and China to Togo, Uganda, and New Zealand.

The Biennial’s theme: “Periphery: Visual Transitions,” focuses on spaces, histories and anthropological realities that often remain outside the mainstream spotlight

Exhibits and national pavilions are hosted across multiple cultural and heritage landmarks in Durrës—such as the former Royal Villa and the Medieval Hammam—connecting modern art with the city’s history and daily life.

The second edition of the Durrës International Contemporary Art Biennial puts the city on the map of international art events, bringing together diverse artists, cultures and perspectives in a shared dialogue with Durrës’s history and urban space. /r.e/a.f/p.s./

Minister of Environment Sofjan Jaupaj said today that the Drilon–Tushemisht Waterscape Park project, implemented by the Ministry of Environment and AADF, has been selected as one of the 8 best finalists in the world at the Barcelona International Landscape Biennial, among 230 projects from 20 countries and 4 continents.

Jaupaj also said that the restoration of the new visitor center in the Drilon–Tushemisht park and the completion of the project for implementation of the Prespa Biosphere are important investments with an impact on the local economy and tourism of the area.

“The investment is an added value for this tourist spot that is among the most frequented by visitors during the winter season,” added the minister.

The project is known as a model of ecological restoration, habitat restoration and tourism development responsibly, served to bolster Albania’s global visibility and appeal and promote nature as a tourist attraction. /e.xh/j.p/p.s./

The works of art by painters from all over the world will continue to remain at the Tirana Art Gallery until October 30, offering the public a journey through light, water and color.

The 6th International Watercolor Biennial is curated by the well-known painter Helidon Haliti, under the organization of the VIZart Cultural Association.

Over 200 international artists from 50 countries of the world, true friends of Albania, return through their works of art. They have visited our country, experienced our culture, customs, the taste of our bread and the freshness of our water, discovered the natural and spiritual beauties that Albania offers. All these experiences have been poured onto paper with skill and sensitivity, and now they return to Tirana as ambassadors of art and love for this country.

The Biennial, part of the international platform “Mediterranean Bridges”, supported by the Municipality of Tirana and the Ministry of Culture, has transformed the city into an open gateway for intercultural dialogue, where this year’s uniqueness was the participation of Egyptian artists, with special emphasis on talented lecturers from the Alexandria University of Arts.

A special place is also occupied by the “Nostalgia” corner, a quiet space of reflection dedicated to our veteran artists, masters who through generations have left a trace in the history of Albanian visual arts. This is a tribute to those who taught us to see beyond what is obvious.

The special feature of this year’s edition was the participation of Egyptian artists from the Alexandria University of the Arts.

Curator Helidon Haliti appreciated the event as a bridge that connects memories, visions and artistic experiences, without borders.

During the opening ceremony, there were also given honorary awards to artists for their contributions to the field of visual art.

Thus, Ardian Isufi received “Best avant-garde artist” and Nestor Jonuzi – “Master of Watercolor”.

Also, there were extended the “Ismail Lulani” awards, a name that represents a cornerstone of Albanian art.

The Watercolor Biennial in Tirana is not just an event – ​​it is an emotional and visual journey where each work becomes a window to another world, a personal narrative that, although foreign in origin, is deeply familiar in essence: human and shared. /j.p/p.s./

This current year there are 310 artists from 58 countries of the world presenting their works at the biennial.

According to the organizers, the theme “Quiet Nature” has been selected to celebrate the beauty of nature and life. Curated by the painter Helidon Haliti and the painter Ormira Lulani, this exhibition is a unique event, which presents the original works of the artists.

The President of the International Watercolor Association (WS) Atanur Dogan said among others in his speech that he feels special pleasure every time he comes to Albania for the organization of the biennial. He praised Albania for its help to art. According to him, with the development of art, the society develops and becomes healthier.

The biennial contains names of world masters, famous watercolor names, such as Alvaro Castagne, (Uruguay) Sanislaw Zoladz (Sweden), Jose – Luis Corella (Spain), Eftim G. Risto (Greece), Atanur Doga (Canada), Hong Shan (China), You Mee Park (Korea) La Fe, (Olga Litvinenko (Russia), etc. But also artists from Albania such as the famous painter Skënder Kamberi, Ronald Runaj and other names, who are represented by their works.

This activity was made possible thanks to the cooperation of the VIZart Cultural Association, IWQS Albania, as well as with the support of the Municipality of Tirana and the Ministry of Culture. The exhibition will remain open until March 24, 2021 and will be visited according to the guidelines and measures to prevent the spread of Sars-Cov 2./p.s./