Organized under the theme “Voices of the Earth,” the festival showcased a diverse lineup of global films. The week-long event featured competitions across four distinct categories, lively artistic panel discussions and special cultural evenings dedicated to the cinemas of Turkey, Sweden, Hungary and Kosovo.

According to the Municipality of Shkodra, the festival culminated in a grand awards ceremony celebrating the creativity and exceptional talent of the participating filmmakers.

The “Republika” Cinema continues to solidify its role as a cornerstone of Shkodra’s cultural landscape, hosting premier events that bridge the local community with the international art scene.

Once again, Shkodra—a city deeply rooted in art, culture, and tradition—proves its commitment to enriching its cultural calendar, fostering creativity and bringing dynamic energy to the city. /e.i/a.f/p.s./

Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja announced today that this edition’s program includes 17 performances across nine different locations, fostering artistic collaboration and cultural dialogue.

A key figure in this edition is the choreographer of Albanian descent Angjelin Preljocaj, who will present his latest work, “Soulevement,” alongside international troupes.

Opera and Ballet house and Folk Ensemble will also play a significant role in the festival, hosting six artistic evenings and presenting a co-production with Kosovo Ballet.

The festival celebrates a wide array of dance styles—from classical to urban—merging movement with music, theater, projections, and puppetry. Performances will take place citywide on stages and in public spaces, featuring a special program dedicated to children.

With the support of the European Union, the festival aims to create more opportunities for artists and bring contemporary dance closer to the public, transforming Tirana into a hub for dialogue, creativity and international cultural exchange. /gj.m/r.e/a.f/p.s./

Running through September 20, this four-day celebration transforms the city into an open-air stage across four distinct venues, beautifully blending timeless serenades with fresh, contemporary musical interpretations.

Opening night at Bashta Themistokli celebrated Korça’s young voices. Local artists and instrumentalists performed a vibrant mix of traditional serenades and classic Albanian songs.

Korça Mayor Sotiraq Filo stated, “Where Korça’s rich culinary heritage meets the soulful notes of its most cherished traditions, the magic continues. Experience three more enchanting nights of live music and traditional serenades at Metropolis Square, the Old Bazaar, and Metropolis Alley.”

Renowned names in Albanian music, such as Mihallaq Andrea, Eli Fara, and Redon Makashi, are expected to perform over the next three nights. The event brings the serenade back to its roots—the very settings where this tradition has been passed down from generation to generation. Serenades originally began as expressions of love in the narrow streets of Korça, performed on the guitar and mandolin beneath the windows of the young women they were dedicated to.

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Over 200 artists from Albania, Italy, Montenegro, Kosovo and North Macedonia participated in the festival. They performed diverse repertoires and presented the musical traditions of the countries they represented.

Thronged by enthusiastic spectators, Korça’s vibrant summer parades and concerts firmly established the city as a leading cultural destination.

The Air Beat Festival enriched Korça’s vibrant cultural scene, offering unforgettable experiences for visitors while firmly positioning the city as a tourist hub for all visitors. /gj.m/j.p/p.s./

The event promotes local traditions, folk costumes and authentic cuisine. Throughout 3 editions, the “Take me to your village” festival has gathered dozens of folklore groups in Derviçan Square.

This festival dedicated to traditional dances and polyphonic songs was organized by the “Dhropoli” Cultural Association with the financial support of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports in cooperation with the Dropull Municipality.

“Tradition, music and dance brought together hundreds of residents and visitors in the 3rd edition of the Festival. A nice celebration of polyphonic song and our cultural heritage”, appreciated Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja.

The evening brought together local and Greek dance and polyphonic groups in Derviçan.

Derviçan was filled with music, dance, tradition and smiles, welcoming hundreds of visitors from Dropulli, Greece and other areas of Albania. /e.r/ /a.g/p.s./

The two-day event, which began on Friday and continues through the weekend, has attracted hundreds of visitors to one of southern Albania’s best-known natural attractions, combining adventure sports, live music and cultural activities.

Organizers say the festival aims to promote sustainable tourism and environmental awareness while showcasing the unique natural and cultural heritage of the Benja area.

In a post on social media, Rama highlighted the growing popularity of the destination, encouraging visitors to explore the region throughout the year.

“Until recently, people complained there was nowhere to walk or sit. Today, the celebration continues,” Rama said, inviting tourists to visit Benja and Permet, which he said are increasingly becoming popular weekend destinations.

Located near the Vjosa River, the Benja thermal springs are among Albania’s most visited natural sites, known for their thermal waters, scenic canyon landscapes and historic Ottoman-era stone bridge.

The festival forms part of broader efforts to strengthen sustainable tourism and diversify visitor experiences in southern Albania.

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This highly anticipated competition marks the revival of the activity on Albanian Radio-Television following a twenty-year break.

The winning song secured victory with 260 points, drawing 60% of its total from the professional jury. Herva Novaku claimed second place earning 242 points, while Jet followed in third place with 174 points.

The festival’s highly anticipated return was a magnificent musical celebration that bridged competitive energy with deep nostalgia, welcoming back legends of the Albanian music scene.

Icons who wrote the history of the Spring Festivals took the stage, including Aleksandër Gjoka, Frederik Ndoci, Irma Libohova, Rovena Dilo, Eneda Tarifa, Jonida Maliqi, Dashnor Diko, Adhurim Demiri and Renis Gjoka, who performed their songs that became hits.

Singer Bleona Qereti and actor Nik Xhelilaj hosted the Spring Festival at the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet, delivering an event that was highly acclaimed by the spectators. /r.e/p.s./

The 13th DEA OPEN AIR International Film Festival kicked off with a welcome reception outside the University of Arts. Following an opening address by festival director Edmond Topi, attendees gathered at the University of Arts Amphitheater to screen the Turkish feature film Gülizar (84 min), directed by Belkıs Bayrak.

“We are building a cinema culture from the ground up. Our goal isn’t just to screen films; it’s to rebuild the magic of moviegoing—sparking emotion, inspiring thought, and bringing audiences back to the big screen,” said Topi.

Under the motto Open air- Open minds, the festival will screen 40 films from 25 countries around the world, in two main locations: at the Amphitheater of the University of Arts (8:00 PM) and at the National Experimental Theater “Kujtim Spahivogli” (1:00 PM, 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM).

“The authors explore universal human experiences while highlighting the timeless and evolving struggles of humanity. We proudly feature a rich, global perspective, with voices spanning from China and Kyrgyzstan to Europe and the United States”, emphasized Mirela Oktrova.

The festival features a curated selection of feature-length, short, and student films. Beyond the screenings, attendees are invited to connect with filmmakers, network with industry professionals, and spark new collaborations that will inspire future creative projects.

The 13th edition of the DEA OPEN AIR International Film Festival is held with the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports, the Municipality of Tirana, the National Center of Cinematography and the University of Arts. /j.p/p.s./

The festival, organised by the Municipality of Selenicë, featured traditional polyphonic music, folk games, local cuisine and sporting activities at the more than 2,000-year-old archaeological park.

Selenicë Mayor Nertil Bellaj said on Monday the event had become an annual tradition, held on the last weekend of May to celebrate one of Albania’s most important archaeological sites.

“Amantia is a valuable historical and cultural asset that represents not only Selenicë but Albania as a whole because of its rich history and exceptional heritage,” Bellaj said.

He said continued promotion of the site could help boost cultural tourism as Amantia attracts growing numbers of foreign visitors.

Speaking at the event, State Minister for Parliamentary Relations Eriona Ismaili said cultural activities played an important role in promoting areas with historical and archaeological significance while helping preserve national traditions and identity.

She added that government policies supporting local communities, tourism businesses, guesthouses and agritourism ventures were helping attract more visitors and contribute to regional development.

Amantia, located in southwestern Albania, was one of the principal settlements of the ancient Illyrians and is regarded as one of the country’s most significant archaeological sites.

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Locals and tourists alike gathered to enjoy traditional performances, vibrant folk costumes, and captivating dances presented by folklore groups from Poland, Romania, Montenegro, Latvia, and host city Saranda.

Artists from across Europe, including Poland’s Maria Curie-Skłodowska University Folk Dance Ensemble and performers from Montenegro, praised Saranda’s natural beauty and hospitality. These visitors noted that the coastal city exceeded their expectations as they prepared to share their cultural repertoire with eager audiences.

According to the organizers, such festivals are an important opportunity for the promotion of culture and artistic exchange between different countries.

The International Music and Dance Festival “Saranda 2026” brought a mosaic of cultures to the heart of the city for several hours, confirming once again the role of Saranda as a welcoming center for international cultural activities and a meeting point for artists from different countries of the world.

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