Marius Çepele, Director of Tourism and Activities at the Berat municipality, told Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) that the event is a “visual and musical spectacle in the historic Mangalem neighborhood, where the distinctive multi-windowed houses are transformed into an artistic mosaic filled with light projections, color, music, and a festive atmosphere.”

“On the evening of December 24, Christmas Eve, and on December 25, music and light performances will illuminate the historic neighborhood, creating a magical festive atmosphere for residents and visitors spending the holiday in Berat,” Çepele said.

He added that the projections can be seen from any vantage point around the historic Mangalem area.

The museum city of Berat has already entered its year-end festive season with decorations, lights, and special activities. The displays have created a magical atmosphere for visitors and residents in public squares and city centers.

Known for its rich historical and cultural heritage, Berat attracts thousands of visitors year-round with its unique architecture, religious tolerance, and Ottoman-era buildings.

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Prime Minister Edi Rama shared today in the social media photos from one of the guesthouses located in the Mangalem neighborhood, which hosts local and foreign tourists.

“In the heart of the Mangalem neighborhood in Berat, there is the “Codex” Inn, a rare residence that has preserved the characteristics of half-story buildings, very frequented by local and foreign tourists, who have also found there the warm hospitality and the typical cuisine of Berat, which is taken care of by the lady of the house, Vasilika Gogu,” said Rama.

The prime minister wrote that since 1961, this property has had the legal status of a cultural monument of the first category.

Berat continues to remain among the most favorite cities of tourists.

During January of the current year, Berat had about 20,000 tourists, about 20% more than in January 2023. Also, the number of visitors increased by 31% in the Onufri Iconographic Museum. /m.m/p.s./

“Mangalem 21” housing estate is located in the eastern part of the capital.

The sloping terrain allows each building to look over the other, creating different views over the surroundings, while 70% of the site remains open to public squares and green spaces.

The project owes its name to the old city center of Albania’s UNESCO World Heritage site Berat – Mangalem, or the ‘Town of a Thousand Windows’.

According to the Dutch studio, it is conceived as a checkerboard pattern of small apartments blocks.

“Its manifest use of color is a reference to the initiative of Tirana’s former mayor Edi Rama to paint the city’s communist-era apartment blocks in the early 2000s”, says the description of the project of the Dutch studio “OMA”.

“Mangalem 21” is expected to be fully in use by the end of 2023.

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