Featuring timeless masterpieces from the global opera repertoire, this performance marked the grand opening of a promising new season of music and art.

The “Opera Gala” was created to celebrate the new season, showcasing powerful vocal and musical performances by artists from the National Theatre of Opera, Ballet and Folk Ensemble.

Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja stated that, “Opening the gala evening with prominent soloists from both the Albanian and international stages promises a season filled with art, emotion and unforgettable moments.”

The season opening was unforgettable, with beautiful music and moving performances that captivated the audience.

Led by conductor Simone Di Felice, the artists gave a rich vocal and theatrical performance. Highlights included mezzo-soprano Vikena Kamenica singing Dalila’s aria from Samson and Delilah, and soprano Eva Golemi performing alongside Stefan Po in La Forza del Destino.

Baritone Armando Likaj made a stunning return after 12 years with Figaro’s aria from The Marriage of Figaro. The audience also loved the iconic quartet from Rigoletto.

The new artistic season at the Opera and Ballet House is set to feature a diverse program—including opera, ballet, concerts and other events—aimed at enriching the country’s cultural and artistic life.

Through this season, the Opera and Ballet House and Folk Ensemble aims to continue its mission of promoting the performing arts, preserving the classical repertoire and presenting artistic works to the Albanian public. /p.s./

With music by Ndoc Pistulli, a libretto by Zef Zorba and orchestration by Gridi Kraja, the opera brings myth to life, blending history and legend into a powerful musical experience.

The Symphony Orchestra and Choir of the Opera and Ballet House accompanied the performance.

The opera “Rozafa” has a special history of creation. Shkodra composer Ndoc Pistulli—a rare talent with perfect pitch—began playing piano for Albania’s first opera, Mrika, at just 16. By age 25, he started composing his own opera, Rozafa, which finally reached the stage after decades, marking a major milestone for Albanian lyrical art.

The world premiere of the “Rozafa” marks a long-awaited return for a work of art kept from the stage for years, serving as a powerful tribute to Albania’s musical and cultural heritage.

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Audiences were riveted by Cavalleria Rusticana, a intense, fast-paced portrait of Sicilian passion and jealousy ending in tragedy.

Meanwhile, Giacomo Puccini’s comic opera “Gianni Schicchi” brought art lovers a clever play of irony and satire.

Under the direction of conductor Sergio Alapont and with the participation of the Opera and Ballet House Orchestra and Choir, the two pieces created a special artistic journey, where tragedy and comedy were harmoniously intertwined.

The two operas will also be performed on April 6 and 7, offering the public the opportunity to experience a double night of emotions where tears and laughter meet on the same stage. /k.s/p.s./

WISA directly addresses the needs of women in media by leveraging their own experiences to foster a safer, more supportive, and united professional landscape.

Implemented by Albanian Women in Audiovisual (AWA) in partnership with SCiDEV and AGSH, this initiative is financially supported by the European Union.

According to the organizers, the project will extend over a 30-month period and aims to expand and consolidate the Women in Media Network in Albania. At its conclusion, this network is expected to function as an independent organization, with broad representation and institutional voice at the national level.

During today’s event, the participants stressed the urgent need to ensure digital safety for female journalists through strengthened collaboration among civil society, institutions, and international partners. /gj.m/j.p/p.s./

The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports, Blendi Gonxhja, shared on social media footage showcasing the restored heritage residence.

Fico House, a Category I Listed Cultural Monument, stands out as one of the most remarkable properties within Gjirokastër’s museum quarter. Diverging from the prevalent oriental-influenced vernacular, it exhibits a distinctive architectural style, uncommon among traditional southern Albanian dwellings.

In Gjirokastër region, a number of conservation projects are underway, deemed of particular significance for safeguarding and showcasing the region’s built heritage, encompassing historic bridges and ecclesiastical structures.
Experts have stated that by preserving the cultural heritage, tourist appeal is also enhanced, while contributing to the sustainable development of the area.
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“La Sylphide” was staged by the dancers of the National Opera and Ballet House, with choreography by August Bournonville, music by Herman Severin Løvenskiold played by the Opera and Ballet Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Gridi Kraja.

The story of “La Sylphide” will be performed also tonight and tomorrow (November 4 and 5).

“La Sylphide” is one of the most magical ballets of the Romantic era.

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Mayor of Vlora Ermal Dredha said that, “The buildings are near completion and the keys will be handed over to the 75 beneficiary families very soon”.

In a post today in the social media, Dredha wrote that he met with Director General of the National Housing Authority Besmir Hysa to discuss on social housing in the coastal city. According to Dredha, the focus of the discussions was the further cooperation between the municipality and the Housing Authority, but also the completion of works on the two buildings for the 75 families in need.

This investment represents a concrete example of the commitment to provide tangible solutions in social housing, through a strong partnership with the National Housing Authority.

During the meeting, there were highlighted local challenges and priorities in the field of housing, while Housing Authority reconfirmed its readiness to support the municipality in implementing projects aimed at improving housing conditions for the families in need.

This meeting was held in context of the National Housing Authority commitment to improve cooperation with local units and to develop implementation of Social Housing objectives. /e.i//r.e/p.s./

Located behind the monument to our national hero, the “House of Europe” will gather heads of state and government along with the heads of the main European and international institutions, participants in this important summit.

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared in the social media today photos of a group of tourists who were intrigued by the structure erected especially for this event, all covered with drawings by Albanian children showing how they see Europe.

“Tourist curiosities. ‘House of Europe’ under the shadow of Skanderbeg, where on Friday, May 16, leaders from across the continent will gather…”, Rama wrote, alongside the photos.

Albania will host the European Political Community summit on May 16, a historic event that is expected to bring together leaders of European countries in Tirana.

Meanwhile, a day before the European Political Community Summit in Albania, leaders of the European Council and the European Union will gather for a working dinner in Tirana with leaders of the Western Balkans region. /m.m/j.p/p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama conveyed moments from the engagement of the children of Fier, who through the “Art, Craft, Sport” program will put their trace at the House of Europe, in Tirana. There, on May 16 the leaders of the member countries to the European Political Community Summit will gather.

“Here is the contribution of the children in Fier for the House of Europe, which is being built at the Skanderbeg Garden in Tirana, and where on May 16 the leaders of our entire democratic continent will gather for the European Political Community Summit”, said Rama.

The prime minister praised the fantastic work done by the children, while their works will be photographed and included in the large album that will be published on occasion of this event.

“You have done a fantastic work and deserve an applause for this rather beautiful work of art that you have done,” said Rama. /a.f//r.e/p.s./

During a press conference, Berisha stated that the fundamental cause of the high prices in construction are the absurd taxes imposed on the construction area.

“All this is billed to citizens, making it impossible for them to buy, or turning apartments into forbidden apples. Not only that, but this has a very strong impact on rents. And in the country with the lowest wages in Europe, rents are at the highest levels. We shall fundamentally change this situation,” Berisha said.

Berisha stressed that the 3 percent social housing tax on the sale price will also be abolished. Also, according to him, the 1 percent development permit fee on the investment value will be abolished.

“The property revaluation fee will be reduced from 5 to 1 percent,” Berisha said.

Focusing on the DP’s program for the economy, Berisha stressed that, “the program aims to boost production in Albania.”

“There will be reduced the number of different taxes. There will be imposed a flat tax of 10 percent on the capital, on income from work, with the exception of the first 50 thousand lekë, which will not be taxed. There will be zero taxation for freelancers and small businesses. The VAT exemption limit will be 18 million lekë of annual turnover. VAT will be reduced to 15 percent from 20 percent”, he said, listing some of the points of this program.

Berisha also presented the easing initiatives for business and citizens.

Berisha also emphasized that, “Electricity for business will be sold at 6 lekë, decreasing 3-4 times”. /m.m//a.f/p.s./