Details of the programme were unveiled on Friday by Italian Ambassador to Albania Marco Alberti, director of the Italian Cultural Institute Alessandro Ruggera and Deputy Culture Minister Lira Pipa.

The week-long programme, which coincides with the 80th anniversary of the Italian Republic, includes 15 events in visual arts, music, fashion, theatre and cinema to be held in Tirana, Vlora, Gjirokastra, Berat and Butrint.

“In eight days, we will host 15 events in this fifth edition,” Alberti said, adding that organisers aimed to surpass their previous record of 120 cultural initiatives in a single year.

He also said organisers were targeting at least 500,000 views across social media platforms during the event.

Pipa said the cultural week came at “a very important moment” in cultural cooperation between Albania and Italy, noting that Albania’s upcoming National Culture Strategy had been developed with the support of the Italian government.

“Italian international experts have contributed their expertise and best international practices, helping us adapt them to our own context,” she said.

The main events also include a concert by Italian singer Mario Biondi at the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet on June 1.

On June 3, the Centre for Openness and Dialogue (COD) will host an event dedicated to renowned Italian architect and designer Gaetano Pesce.

Two performances featuring the famous Sicilian marionettes are scheduled for June 4 at Tirana’s Puppet Theatre.

The programme will conclude with the play “The Visit”, directed by Davide Iodice, at the Butrint Amphitheatre. The production, a collaboration between the Sardinia Theatre and Shkodra’s Migjeni Theatre, arrives in Butrint after receiving recognition at domestic and international festivals.

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The concert at Tirana’s Catholic Cathedral featured performances by soprano Sara Intagliata and baritone Giampiero Delle Grazie, with a repertoire that included works by Verdi, Puccini, Rossini, Morricone, and Nino Rota.

Italian Ambassador Marco Alberti attended the event, noting in his address that the week is dedicated to the future and underscores the strong historical friendship between the two nations.

“You all know how strong and historic are the relations between Albania and Italy, how strong is their friendship,” the Italian Ambassador said.

The opening of the Italian Culture Week in Tirana was not just music, but a journey, where identity is projected into the future. The same orchestra is set to perform again in the ancient amphitheatre of Durrës on Monday evening, offering a classical music experience in one of Albania’s most historic venues.

Also tonight, Tirana will host the Fashion Chat event at COIN, featuring young Italian designers discussing how contemporary fashion in Italy continues to evolve through innovation and reinterpretation of traditional styles. The event aims to spotlight new creative voices in Italy’s globally influential fashion industry.

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Prime Minister Edi Rama shared Thursday an informing video about the events scheduled to take place during the Italian Culture Week, including concerts, opera, contemporary shows, sports and many other activities.

“All the events represent the core and the best of culture absolutely admired all over the world and which is worth experiencing every bit of it,” Rama said.

The International Culture Weeks, an initiative launched by the Ministry of Culture in Albania to showcase a diversity of cultures, the sounds, images, aromas, and tastes from 17 countries around the world, kicked off on May with a week dedicated to the European Union, followed by the French culture week and the Greek culture week.

Conceived as an international cultural parade, extended throughout the year, JKN is the continuation, inclusion, and unification under one brand of a several-year tradition of organizing weeks, dedicated to cultural cooperation.

Through this project, we will get to know each other better, strengthen relations with our international partners, and increase the offer of cultural activities in Albania for all tastes and ages.

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