Supported by the European Union, the festival brings together prominent choreographers from across Europe and Albania, transforming Tirana into an open stage for contemporary dance.

This year’s edition features a notable innovation: performances moving beyond traditional theater venues into public and community spaces, encouraging broad citizen participation in the arts.

The festival kicked off at the “Të Qëndrojmë së Bashku” Community Center with Preljocaj’s “G.U.I.D.”, a site-responsive performance turning the venue into a vibrant interactive stage.

EU Ambassador to Albania Silvio Gonzato highlighted the unifying power of the arts.

“When ballet moves into public spaces, it transcends generations and builds bridges between cultures, nationalities, and perspectives. It is a universal language that connects people in ways words often cannot,” he said.

The first week of the festival features over 13 international choreographers and companies, presenting performances both in the city’s public spaces and theaters including the Metropol Theater and the National Opera and Ballet Theater.

Highlights include performances at the New Bazaar and Tirana International Airport on October 10, and the “Puls” triple bill by Jiri Kylian, Robert North, and Edi Blloshmi on October 11, with repeated evening shows at the National Opera and Ballet Theater.

The fourth edition of the festival will span 11 venues, offering 15 premieres, 9 free public performances, and masterclasses linking the festival to the wider city.

Running from October 9 to 25, it invites residents to experience the transformative and inclusive power of contemporary dance.

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