In a social media post, Rama shared photos from the opening ceremony of the Albanian Consulate in Naples, as well as from meetings with university rectors and representatives of the Albanian Language Department.

During his stay in Naples, PM Rama also visited the Albanian Language Department at the University of Naples “L’Orientale”—a historic center for Albanological studies and the oldest Albanian language department, founded by Jeronim De Rada and Arbëresh intellectuals.

This department holds a significant tradition in preserving and promoting Albanian language, literature and culture.

During the meeting with the university’s academic staff, PM Rama reaffirmed the importance of this tradition, emphasizing the need to deepen cooperation and build a more structured network to preserve, promote and enrich Albanian heritage and scholarship.

Minister of Education Mirela Kumbaro was also present during the visit. /p.s./

Set in Calcutta in 1948, the film presents a powerful portrait of Mother Teresa at a crucial moment in her life, when faith, ambition and duty collide with a deeply personal dilemma.

“Mother” premiered as the opening film of the Orizzonti section at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival. The film was also awarded the Best Artistic Contribution Award at the Tokyo International Film Festival.

Director Teona Strugar Mitevska is the author of internationally acclaimed films, including God Exists, Her Name Is Petrunya, which has won more than 20 awards, including the Ecumenical Prize and the Guild Film Prize in Germany.

Teona Strugar Mitevska and producer Labina Mitevska will be present at the national premiere in Tirana, while two masterclasses with the director will also take place during the festival. /p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama on Friday shared images on social media of people gathering at the Art Park on a summer evening, highlighting the site’s growing popularity.

Designed as an urban cultural park, the development combines green spaces with public art installations, venues for cultural events and areas celebrating Albania’s cinematic heritage.

The project seeks to revive one of the country’s most significant sites for film production by adapting it into a modern public space while preserving its historical and cultural identity.

The Art Park is intended to host exhibitions, film screenings, artistic performances and community events, linking the legacy of the former Kinostudio with Tirana’s ongoing urban development.

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The fair showcased the latest developments in vehicle technology, mobility and road safety, while transforming the Albanian capital into a hub of automotive demonstrations, entertainment and interactive activities.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Tirana municipality promotion director Iva Beharaj reaffirmed the city’s support for the event, describing it as an important platform for innovation and public engagement.

“This is the fourth edition of the event and we are proud to support such a meaningful initiative,” Beharaj said, adding that a series of accompanying activities would take place across Tirana during the fair.

Kreshnik Bajraktari, head of the Directorate of Road Transport Services, said the event aimed not only to promote developments in the automotive sector, but also to raise awareness about responsible driving and road safety.

“This edition is built around four main pillars: innovation and technology, automotive performance and entertainment, road safety education, and early education through the ‘Auto Kids’ initiative,” Bajraktari said. “Our message is clear: talent is not speed, but safety.”

Organizers said the fair seeks to strengthen interaction between businesses, institutions and the public, while promoting modern mobility, technological innovation and automotive culture in Albania.

The opening ceremony featured vehicle presentations, artistic performances and live demonstrations, with additional exhibitions and public activities scheduled throughout the coming days.

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Organized by the Municipality of Himara from May 1 to 3, the opening events were designed as a broad tourist showcase combining outdoor activities, live performances, cultural exhibitions, and local traditions.

The festivities began with the “Himara Run Fest,” a mini-marathon involving local school students in a scenic coastal race through the area’s natural landscape. Beach sports activities, including volleyball and kayak races, also took place along the shoreline, creating a lively summer atmosphere. Children participated through a variety of games and recreational programs.

The Armed Forces Symphony Orchestra contributed to the celebrations with live musical performances from the early hours of the morning.

Meanwhile, the National Historical Museum organized a three-day public program in the town square featuring photography exhibitions, educational games, and interactive activities for visitors of all ages.

A handicrafts and culinary fair showcased local artisan products and traditional cuisine, highlighting the flavors and cultural identity of the Himara region.

Located along the Albanian Riviera in southern Albania, Himara has become one of the country’s most sought-after seaside destinations, known for its turquoise Ionian waters, Mediterranean landscape, and historical heritage. Situated in the Vlorë region, approximately 220 kilometers south of Tirana and 70 kilometers from Sarandë, the coastal town is a key stop for travelers exploring southern Albania.

The area is known for beaches such as Livadhi Beach, Spile Beach, Llamani Beach, Potami Beach, and Filikuri Beach, offering crystal-clear waters and access to secluded coves surrounded by olive groves and Mediterranean vegetation.

Overlooking the town from a hilltop is Himara Castle, a historic fortress dating back to antiquity. The old town surrounding the castle features stone alleys, traditional houses, and panoramic views of the Ionian Sea, making it one of the area’s main cultural attractions.

With its Mediterranean climate, local hospitality, and cuisine centered on seafood and regional products, Himara continues to strengthen its position as one of Albania’s leading tourism destinations.

Mayor Vangjel Tavo invited visitors to experience the town’s history, culture, and entertainment during the May 1-3 opening celebrations.

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Prime Minister Edi Rama, accompanied by Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi and the head of the Albanian Road Authority, Ami Kozeli, inspected the section, which has been upgraded to Category A motorway standard.

Karakaçi described the Tirana-Durres route as Albania’s busiest road, noting the upgraded stretch forms part of a wider 7-km project linking multiple phases, from the Casa Italia junction to the Rinas Airport exit.

He said further works are planned, including the removal of the Rinas overpass, which currently creates a bottleneck, and the construction of new access ramps to the airport.

The completed section now has four lanes and uses new asphalting technology introduced for the first time in the country, improving safety and driving conditions.

Kozeli said landscaping works will begin soon, while construction continues on other phases, including the Laknas interchange and the expansion of an underpass.

Karakaçi said procedures to extend the project are being accelerated, with further works now expected to begin in 2026, earlier than initially planned. The route is a key corridor linking the port of Durres with the rest of the country and easing traffic towards Tirana and the Rinas airport.

The government is also advancing other major infrastructure projects under the so-called Blue Corridor.

Karakaçi said the Kashar-Lekaj segment is in its final stage of technical review and documentation before construction begins, while the Milot-Balldren section is nearing completion of procurement procedures, with the winner expected to be announced in the next two or three weeks.

He said the Milot-Balldren project is particularly important for northern Albania regions such as Shkodra and Lezha, and is expected to ease seasonal traffic along the Adriatic coast during the summer months.

Authorities said the opening of the new motorway section and the continued rollout of related projects reflect ongoing investment in modernising Albania’s road infrastructure and improving transport quality nationwide.

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Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro described the campus as a concrete example of academic cooperation, highlighting joint programmes in computer engineering and electronic systems engineering that will award internationally recognised degrees.

Students completing the programmes will be eligible for further studies at master’s degree or engineering schools, particularly within the partner universities. Accreditation is also planned by French and Albanian quality assurance bodies to ensure international recognition.

Polytechnic University rector Akil Fundo said graduates would receive dual degrees from both institutions, with courses delivered in Albanian, French and English. Plans are also under way to expand programmes, including a future bachelor’s degree in mechatronics.

UTC President Claire Rossi said the campus marked a new phase in bilateral cooperation, describing it as an ambitious project aimed at supporting education, research and innovation, backed by both Albanian and French authorities.

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The protest began immediately after the national anthem, with DP parliamentary group chairman Gazment Bardhi accusing the ruling majority of wrongdoing as Speaker Niko Peleshi attempted to address the session.

Opposition lawmakers refused to take their seats, preventing the session from continuing.

At the request of the chair of the Socialist Party parliamentary group Taulant Balla, Speaker Peleshi put the procedural agenda to a vote and then closed the session.

The agenda had been limited to procedural items, including approval of the minutes of the previous sitting and formal announcements.

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The opening ceremony was attended by Petrit Ymeri, president of the Albanian Publishers Association; Ina Zhupa, chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Culture, Tourism, and Diaspora; Alda Bardhyli, director of the QKLL; Alessandro Ruggera, director of the Italian Cultural Institute; and acclaimed author Enkel Demi (pen name Tom Kuka) and translator Milena Selimi, last year’s top awardees.

Ymeri praised the quality of contemporary Albanian literature but noted challenges including digital and print piracy, deteriorating libraries, and a declining number of bookstores.

“Albanian publishers have long been part of the European literary scene through translated works and major European projects,” he said.

Zhupa pledged a series of consultations with publishers, translators, booksellers, and writers to address the draft Book Law, emphasizing the need to make literature accessible to readers and support the publishing sector.

The fair, running until November 16, features discussion corners, author talks, and the “Book Sofa” on the second floor of the venue.

This year’s theme, inspired by Albanian literary icon Ismail Kadare, is “Our conscience needs books.” Awards will be presented on November 15.

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In a post on X a day ago, the Albanian head of state said the museum “represents a unique centre of human memory that connects generations and eras, embodying a vision of a world that preserves history while looking toward the future.”

Located near Cairo on the Giza Plateau beside Egypt’s iconic pyramids and the Sphinx, the Grand Egyptian Museum covers 24,000 square metres of exhibition space and is the largest museum in the world dedicated to a single civilisation. It will display more than 50,000 artefacts from ancient Egypt.

The project, one of al-Sisi’s most ambitious infrastructure initiatives, took nearly two decades to complete and cost about 1 billion dollars.

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