Minister of Education Mirela Kumbaro highlighted the festival in a social media post on Saturday, describing it as “an artistic dialogue between moving bodies, light that awakens emotions, and audiences who experience the poetry of the body in every step.”

She added that Preljocaj, whom writer Ismail Kadare once referred to as “the cousin of angels,” embodies this spirit more than anyone.

In a video message, Preljocaj invited audiences to join what he called a true celebration of modern dance, with performances staged not only in major theaters but also in ten surprise public spaces across the capital.

“Alongside some of Europe’s most captivating productions at the National Opera and Ballet Theater, the National Theater, the Metropol Theater, the Puppet Theater, and other stages, this year’s festival will open the city itself with a new performance offered free to the public,” he said.

Born in France to Albanian parents, Preljocaj began with classical ballet before moving into modern dance, achieving global recognition for his works that blend the precision of classical forms with the innovation of contemporary choreography.

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Prime Minister Edi Rama shared in social media the video message of the renowned Albanian-French choreographer Angjelin Preljocaj, who will bring this festival to the capital.

The world star of choreography, the Albanian-French Angjelin Preljocaj, in a video message invites participants to take part in a true celebration of modern dance, in 10 surprise public spaces in the capital.

“This year, in addition to some of the most exciting performances in Europe at the National Opera and Ballet House, the National Theater, the Metropol Theater, the Puppet Theater and other stages, the festival will also be opened to the entire city with a new performance for the public free of charge,” said the choreographer.

Preljocaj added that together with his company G.U.I.D, he will bring dance closer to the people by offering free performances in special and unexpected places throughout Tirana.

Preljocaj expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation, the Municipality of Tirana, the European Union, as well as to all supporters.

Invited to PM Rama’s podcast two years ago, Preljocaj also spoke about his arrival in Albania after the 1990s, while adding that almost every year he has given performances for the Opera and Ballet House, free of charge, as a way to give back to this country everything it has given and to restore the connection he has deep within himself with Albania. /k.s/j.p/p.s./

Albania’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs hailed Preljocaj’s appointment as a moment of great pride for Albania and the national culture.

A special ceremony took place under the magnificent and historic dome of the Institut de France.

In his remarks, Angjelin Preljocaj paid tribute to all dancers who, over more than 40 years, have contributed passionately and made the history of his company. He went on mentioning a large number of collaborators and expressed gratitude for their support during his long career.

French-born of Albanian parents, choreographer Angelin Preljocaj, was born on January 19, 1957 and began studying classical ballet before turning to contemporary dance, which he studied with Karin Waehner, Zena Rommett, Merce Cunningham, and later Viola Farber and Quentin Rouillier. He then joined Dominique Bagouet before founding his own company in December 1984.

Since his beginnings, he has created 61 choreographic works, ranging from solo to larger formations including Romeo & Juliet, Snow White, Swan Lake …. He likes to alternate large narrative ballets with more abstract pieces like Empty moves, Still Life, Deleuze / Hendrix

Angelin Preljocaj collaborates regularly with other artists in various fields such as music, visual arts design, fashion, drawing and literature, and animation movies.

He has received various awards and has directed several short films and films featuring his choreography.  His choreographic work is steeped in his writing of the history of classical ballet, but is resolutely contemporary. He is considered one of the most important choreographers of dance today. The Ballet Preljocaj now has 30 permanent dancers and performs an average of 120 dates a year throughout the world.

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The ballets are creations of two prominent names on the international stage, Angelin Preljocaj and Erion Kruja.

These two artistic works of art are a deep exploration of the human experience, where ballet becomes the universal language that expresses feelings, contrasts and the complexity of life.

Angelin Preljocaj is one of the most famous contemporary choreographers of Albanian origin.

His work “La Stravaganza” combines elements of tradition with those of modernity, which has a flood of the past into the future, as if time were an endless circle, an eternity.

With powerful and expressive choreography, this ballet addresses the theme of the clash between 17th-century and modern cultures, exploring concepts of emigration and the interaction between the past and the present.

The ballet music is by Antonio Vivaldi, as well as electronic compositions by contemporary artists such as Evelyn Ficarra, Robert Normandeau and Åke Parmerud.

Preljocaj created “La Stravaganza” for the New York City Ballet as part of the “Diamond Project III”, with its premiere on May 22, 1997. Since then, the ballet has been performed by various companies around the world.

Meanwhile, choreographer Erion Kruja, another Albanian artist with a successful international career, brought “Intricate Threads of Humanity” to the Opera and Ballet House stage as an absolute premiere. The work delves into the depths of human behavior and emotions.

With a bold approach to choreography and a special sensitivity to music and scenography, Kruja offers an unforgettable experience for the audience. /e.r/ /a.g/p.s./

Rama called Preljocaj a born dancer and one of the stars of world choreography. “The highlander with his roots in Vermosh, trunk in France and branches all over Europe”, he said.

Born in France, he talks about his educational and professional background, while adding that his Albanian roots and his education in France are two different views of the world that were combined in him.

Speaking about dance, Preljocaj said that, “What provoked the passion for dance was a just photo, it was a cliché, that is, something immobile, rigid even though dance itself is movement.

He also spoke about his arrival in Albania after the ’90, adding that “Almost every year I gave my shows for Opera and Ballet House, free of charge, as my way of giving back to this country everything it has given to me and to restore the connection that I have deep inside me with Albania”.

“We are currently working with Tim Njuman and Ajola Xoxa to create a contemporary dance festival in Tirana. I think, it’s something I know how to do and I can give it to Albania, without any interest on my part, but where I participate with all my heart. And we would like to do it every year, to invite big international companies, so that Albanians get to know dance, but also foreign artists get to know Albania because I think it is a country that deserves to be known. It’s a way to get to know each other, maybe,” he added. /m.m/p.s./

The festival is organized by the Center for Art and Culture Harabel, D18 Paris and Balkan Youth Link Albania, in cooperation with the National Theater of Opera and Ballet and with the support of the Ministry of Culture. This is the second edition of the festival and will take place from September 23 to October 22 in Tirana.

The festival, under the artistic direction of renowned choreographer Angelin Preljocaj, aims to position Tirana as a prominent center for international contemporary dance, creating a platform for renowned dance companies and talented dancers. In addition to performances, the festival will also offer seminars, public engagements and a parallel program of art events.

Entrusting the programming to Nicole Saïd and Ajola Xoxa, this dynamic and culturally rich event will bring performances from renowned dance companies from around the world to the National Theater of Opera and Ballet. The festival promises an extraordinary line-up of fascinating choreographies and artistic expressions from renowned companies such as Ballet Preljocaj, La Veronal & Marcus Morau, Blenard Azizaj and Fondazione Nazionale de la danza/Aterballetto.

This festival will promote the diversity and innovation of contemporary dance and promote cultural exchange and artistic growth in the Balkan region. For students and young dancers from Albania and the Western Balkans region, there will be free dance courses led by choreographers from international partner companies.

Also, the festival presents a parallel program of art events, including exhibitions and a workshop dedicated to children. The exhibitions will present the works of Albanian visual artists, while the workshop will encourage children to explore their artistic expression through painting, crafts, body language exercises and interactive games.

The International Festival of Contemporary Dance in Tirana is a great opportunity to enjoy movement, creativity and inspiration, where artists and dance enthusiasts from all over the world come together in this extraordinary cultural journey./r.e/p.s./

The International Contemporary Dance Festival will take place in Tirana in its second edition under the artistic direction of the well-known choreographer Angjelin Preljocaj from September 26 to October 22, 2023.

The activity has the support of the Ministry of Culture, Harabel Contemporary Art Platform and collaboration with D18 Paris and the National Theater of Opera, Ballet and Popular Ensemble.

General Director of the Opera and Ballet House Abigeila Voshtina said that she is happy and honored that in collaboration with the “Harabel” it was achieved in a record time to create something that will remain in the memory not only of the artists, but also of the entire Albanian public.

“The artist speaks absolutely nothing more than art”, said Voshtina, leaving the turn to Minister Margariti, who also gave a brief summary of the work done not only with Opera and Ballet House, but with all the institutions and partners that have embraced the philosophy of transforming Tirana from a peripheral capital of Europe, into a city that lives through art and culture.

“It is the second year of an important meeting and it is not a random meeting. We are lucky and honored that Preljocaj has agreed to be a part of this festival this year, turning the attention of the whole world to us”, said Margariti, referring to the International Festival of Contemporary Dance.

The minister congratulated not only Director Voshtina for accepting the challenges of an ambitious calendar, but also the artistic troupe and administrative staff of the Opera and Ballet House who have a special merit. The minister also thanked the “Harabel” Center, founded by Ajola Xoxa and D18 Paris for the important support.

According to the minister, culture is a field that not only requests, but also gives. This is shown by the increase in the number of visitors to the heritage sites as well as the followers of the staged performances.

“The first year of the International Contemporary Dance Festival, the Opera and Ballet House opened its door to host this event, while this year the House and the Ministry are in a contract as co-producers,” said Minister Margariti.

This is an important festival, of large dimensions, and as such it has been discussed with the companies that helped in its realization to turn it into a biennial./p.s./