The audience in the hall had the opportunity of having a taste of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker”, a two-act classical ballet set on Christmas Eve at the foot of a Christmas tree in a child’s imagination featuring a Nutcracker doll.

Yesterday’s performance was put on the calendar a few days ago, given the numerous requests for “The Nutcracker”. And again the tickets were sold out in record time.

For the Opera and Ballet House, this “The Nutcracker” was a ballet masterpiece put on stage again in a suitable way for families and children.

The soloists and the ballet troupe, the Choir and the Symphony Orchestra offered a great performance. The choreography and concept were by Edi Blloshmi and the costume design by Edlira Qyshka. /a.f/p.s./

Minister of Tourism and Environment Mirela Kumbaro shared views of the coastal city in the social media with a crowd of citizens and tourists who have filled Saranda on this first day of 2025.

Saranda has become not only a year-round tourist destination, but also a center of harmony and has the spirit of the holidays.

The crystal-clear beaches of the Ionian Sea and the rich cultural heritage attract more and more attention from foreign and local tourists every year. /j.p/p.s./

MP Eduart Ndreca proposed that March 2, 1444, when the Assembly of Lezha Alliance was founded, which is considered to be the starting point for the creation of the Albanian state, should be declared an official holiday.

“With the return of March 2, 1444, which coincides with the Assembly of Lezha League, we do not only evaluate highly the greatest figure in the history of our nation, George Kastrioti Skanderbeg, but also the most important period of national history. And within this period, there is the most important date of our national history, the day when princes gathered under the leadership of Skanderbeg and set the most important milestones that a nation in danger of annihilation needs to save itself and the values ​​it inherits,” he said.

MP Ndreca said that this proposal will add more significance to the strengthening of the national identity; it will also encourage researchers in the field of Albanian and foreign history to continue with further research regarding this event of the era of George Kastrioti Skanderbeg. /p.s./

The minister asked for a faster handling of passports as well as an increase in the number of counters during the days of the Orthodox Easter, which are celebrated next week.

“The first pact and the first impression that a foreigner creates with Albania is the border crossing and the Border Police employee. We should also have the services of the Traffic Police to guarantee traffic. When there is a flow here, and then there is also a traffic problem for the part towards Korça and Pogradec”, underlined the minister.

He was interested in the number of checkpoints, which, as explained by the Police representative, will be added during holidays when there is a flow of movement on both sides of the border./m.m/p.s./

She posted in the social media photos of the sunset on the shores of the sea. Dua Lipa wrote that she came to Albania to enjoy some more sunsets. “I’m coming back for a few more sunsets in Albania”, Lipa wrote.

Dua Lipa was in Albania even in July. At the end of July, she shared with her followers in the social media views from the coast, enjoying the natural beauty of the country in one of the southern beaches. At that time, she emphasized that she was back “home”. /p.s./

“Good morning and with the coast of Shëngjin, a consolidated model of cleanliness thanks to the dedication and perseverance of the mayor of Lezha, where this summer there are more Albanian and foreign tourists than ever before, I wish you a good day”, said Rama.

Tourist operators in Lezha are particularly satisfied with the work done by the municipality of Lezha for the smooth running of the tourist season.

“This is the second year of work in our resort. We are very satisfied with the progress and level of holidaymakers and bookings. The local government has responded best to the tourism sector and all the tourist operators in the Lezha district”, said one of them.

“It is worth mentioning that this current year the municipality in Shëngjin has worked hard for the cleanliness in this area”, said the manager of a hotel.

“Rafaelo Resort” in Shëngjin is full of holidaymakers from Kosovo and other Balkan countries. The conditions and security offered to them is at a high level. The municipality of Lezha is doing a very good job with waste management, this can be seen in the beach area”, said another operator.

Cleanliness and hospitality are also the two main elements that are valued by tourists who have chosen to spend their holidays in Shëngjin.

“It’s the first time I come to Shëngjin, I liked the beach. I think that the municipality of Lezha has done a good job with cleaning, security and all other elements. The cleanliness in the sand is excellent,” said one of them.

“The beach is very clean. If compared to 4 years ago, there have been many changes. 4 years ago there was lacking the proper infrastructure. The municipality has done its job well, the promenades are wider, there are many different activities and I believe that other tourists can confirm this,” said another.

An American tourist also appreciated the cleanliness and hospitality in Shëngjin.

“I came here from the USA, I am staying at Delfin Resort. I am very enthusiastic. The beach is great, the people are very helpful, everyone has been very welcoming and also very handsome. The food is great, there were many beautiful evenings and nightlife events here. I have told everyone, relations and friends in the US to come here. Friends in California have told me that they will also come, so we will definitely come back,” he said.

“I am a tourist from Poland, in my opinion this place is particularly well maintained, the prices are very good for us. The beach is pretty clean,” said a tourist.

“I arrived in Shëngjin a few days ago. In general, I find tourism in Albania very welcoming and I feel very good here. I think the people are very warm and the hospitality is definitely a very positive aspect. I feel safe in Albania. I think that Albania is very beautiful”, said another foreign tourist.

“I live in Germany. We have been regularly coming to Shëngjin for 5 years, we are very pleased and come here with pleasure. The prices are very good, the cleanliness is very good”, said another tourist.

“I come from Milan to the ‘President’ hotel, which is a wonderful building where I feel very good. The beach is very well organized and clean. The sea is very beautiful and the services offered are great”, said an Italian tourist.

“I come here from Milan because it is a beautiful place like no other. The place is beautiful, the organization is very good and we feel good on the beach. I would say that everything is perfect”, said another Italian tourist./m.m/j.p/p.s./

Minister of Health and Social Protection Ogerta Manastirliu said that there are 29 medical centers available at the coastal and mountainous tourist areas where qualified doctors and nurses offer their service.

“National Emergency is also on standby for any health emergency situation,” she said on social media. /j.p/p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama posted photos in the social media of the festive atmosphere in the stone city.

“GOOD MORNING, and with the special atmosphere of the carnivals in the cobbled streets of Gjirokastra, I wish you a nice weekend”, Rama wrote in the caption to the photos.

The parades of the children wearing colorful masks and costumes on the cobbled streets enlivened Gjirokastra.

The event was included various activities such as music performances, exhibition of photographs showing carnivals over the years, but there was also on display the tradition of Gjirokastra cuisine.

Gjirokastra has celebrated carnivals since the years ’20 – ’30 of last century. The historical photos show people wearing the traditional costume of the area, the kilt or locally known as fustanella of Labëria region, to mark the occasion.

This holiday began to be celebrated again 2 years ago after more than 6 decades of absence./p.s./

Sultan Nowruz  Day marks the beginning of the new year, according to the Bektashi sect, and coincides with the birthday of Imam Ali at the Kaaba.  On this day everything is revived, there is hope, a resurrection for all mankind. It is a new day when everyone is hoping for a better future.

In Albania the Day of Sultan Nowruz was declared a national holiday in 1996 and it is closely linked to the Bektashi Sufi order.

Nowruz  is considered a pan-Albanian holiday dear to all and central to religious harmony. For followers of the Sufi order, Nowruz is marked as the commemoration of the birth of Imam Ali, the fourth Islamic caliph, while for secular Albanians its celebration is linked to the beginning of spring.

Tirana, Albania is home of the Bektashi World Center.  The Bektashi Sect is largely located in the country’s south, while it has a considerable extension in the territory of the Republic of Albania. The Bektashis are also spread in Kosovo and North Macedonia, where, alongside the Sunnis, they constitute the Albanian population of Muslim faith.

/u.sh/

Prime Minister Edi Rama gave the news today saying that he has asked the Ministry of Energy to consider any possibility of assistance to the government of Kosovo.

“While following with concern the severe energy crisis that has affected Kosovo, I asked today the Ministry of Energy to consider every possibility of assistance to the government of Kosovo, so that families in Kosovo have electricity supply on the two days of the popular holiday of the New Year”, said Rama.

The prime minister added that, “Albania does not find it easy to protect households and small businesses from the raging wave of energy crisis that is threatening every country, but during hard times or popular feasts such as the New Year, we cannot help, but share with Kosovo what we have.” /m.m/j.p/p.s./