The production, performed by Bulgarian actor Sevar Ivanov and directed by Ana Bateva, combined humour and irony in a contemporary theatrical interpretation presented to an audience at the ancient venue.

Durres Mayor Emiriana Sako described the performance as another addition to the festival programme, bringing international contemporary theatre to the coastal city.

The Little Dog Laughed has been presented at international festivals and has received several awards, including recognition for best actor.

The Dyrrachium International Theater Festival has brought together foreign theatre companies and artists in Durres, offering a programme aimed at promoting cultural exchange and dialogue among artists from different countries.

The Durres Amphitheatre remains one of the festival’s main venues, linking the city’s ancient heritage with contemporary theatre productions.

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The concert was held as part of the “Bah… Cafè!” project, supported by the Municipality of Tirana, offering a unique artistic experience that combined baroque music, theatrical interpretation and humour in an open-air setting surrounded by nature.

The performance was warmly received by the audience, who experienced Bach’s work in a format blending musical expression with stage performance and comedy. The Agency for Parks and Recreation contributed to bringing the concert to life in the surroundings of the Artificial Lake Park.

Written between 1732 and 1734, “Coffee Cantata” is one of Bach’s best-known secular cantatas. Originally composed for performance at Zimmermann’s Coffee House by Leipzig’s Collegium Musicum, with a libretto by Picander, the work humorously explores the social debate surrounding coffee consumption in 18th-century Germany.

The cantata tells the story of a father who tries to persuade his daughter Lieschen to give up her love for coffee, threatening to restrict her freedoms, including her outings, new clothes and even marriage. Despite his efforts, Lieschen refuses to abandon her favourite drink, describing it as sweeter than a thousand kisses.

The story concludes with a humorous twist, as Lieschen appears to compromise but secretly decides she will only marry a man who allows her to drink coffee whenever she wishes – ending the work with a playful message that the habit will continue through generations.

The Tirana performance offered audiences a fresh encounter with Bach’s music, highlighting the enduring appeal of a centuries-old work that continues to combine wit, social commentary and artistic elegance.

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The Polyphony Group of the National Theatre of Opera, Ballet and Folk Ensemble (TKOBAP) took part in the festival, highlighting Albania’s centuries-old iso-polyphonic tradition, which is inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The concert featured a selection of traditional Albanian songs.

The performance was held at the Church of Santo Stefano Protomartire in Giassico, near Cormòns, as part of the festival’s programme dedicated to vocal music traditions from around the world.

Organisers thanked the Brazzano parish for its cooperation in hosting the event, which was described as an important presentation of Albanian musical culture on an international stage.

This year’s edition of the Piccolo Opera Festival runs until July 5 under the theme “Libertà” (Freedom), featuring opera, new productions and performances in unconventional venues, including castles, open-air theatres and historic sites across Gorizia, Nova Gorica, Trieste and surrounding areas.

Organisers said the festival aims to connect performing arts with the cultural heritage of the wider cross-border region.

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The Directorate said that during the current week too, the passion for cars of different eras has been accompanied by the presentation of several iconic models, which represent the pinnacle of design and engineering of the time.

During this session, there were evaluated some vehicles that have left their mark on the German and American automotive industry, offering a broad panorama of technical developments from the 70s to the late 90s. Each vehicle carried unique elements of its own style, from European luxury and elegance to American power and sporty character.

During the current week, there were presented these vehicles: 1987 Mercedes-Benz W126 560SEL –the top-of-the-line luxury sedan of its time, a symbol of German luxury and innovation of the S-Class line; 1994 Pontiac Firebird – an American icon of sports design of the 90s; 1973 Mercedes-Benz W114 280SE – one of the most beloved models of the classic W114 series, known for its elegance and reliability; and 1981 Mercedes-Benz R107 380SL, famous for representing style, prestige and performance for years.

Through “Retro”, the General Directorate of Transport Services not only documents vehicles that have historical value, but also brings them back to the attention of the public and the collector community.

The “Retro” Commission continues to serve as a platform where there is promoted the automotive history, while the passion for classic vehicles is aroused in every session. /e.xh/r.e/p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared today footage of flamingos flying between the lagoon and pine trees, transforming this park into a special ecotourism destination in Albania.

Flamingos always live in groups, called flamboyance. The birds take to the air in groups and fly hundreds of kilometers during the migration period. The flight is in a V-shape, until they reach their destination – a saltwater lake, which is an excellent place to build a nest and raise their young.

Usually hundreds of flamingos gather together like a water ballet group. All of them preen their pink feathers by standing on one leg in the sun for hours, and even sleep on one leg.

Their length ranges from 81 to 130 cm, but their body weight is small, ranging from 2-3.6 kg. Given their body size and color, flamingos are among the most distinctive birds from others. /gj.m/r.e/a.f/p.s./

Set in 1836 Scotland, La Sylphide tells the story of James, a young man torn between reality and fantasy. On the eve of his wedding to Effie, he becomes enchanted by a mystical forest creature – a sylph – who first appears in a dream and then in real life.

Caught between earthly love and an unattainable ideal, James abandons Effie and follows the sylph into the forest.

However, the pursuit of the impossible ends in tragedy: a witch gives James a cursed scarf, which, when placed on the sylph, causes her to lose her wings and die in his arms. In the end, James is left heartbroken and alone, while Effie marries another.

La Sylphide is one of the earliest and most influential works of the romantic ballet tradition, typically performed in two acts.

The original choreography premiered in 1832 by Filippo Taglioni, and a second, more widely performed version was created by August Bournonville in 1836.

The upcoming production in Tirana promises to offer local audiences a rare opportunity to experience the timeless blend of magic, elegance, and emotional depth that has made La Sylphide a cornerstone of classical ballet.

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“Mother Tongue” was the title of the show staged in Shkoder, Korça and Tirana by the voices and presence of two extraordinary women, two languages and a sensitive story about memory, childhood, migration, identity, belonging and freedom.

Spoken in two languages and unfolding through a minimalist yet evocative stage design, “Mother Tongue” invited the audience to reflect on the human experience — to question stereotypes, confront silence, and rediscover the beauty of dreaming in one’s own language. At its core, this was a story about the freedom of women – and how without it, no society can truly be free.

With every word, movement, and moment of silence, the play reminded us of the values that unite us and the dignity that must be defended every day.

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The “Opera Gala” show will bring together the symphonic orchestra, choir, ballet troupe, and soloists in a grand performance under the baton of conductor Sergio Alapont and with choreography and direction by maestro Renato Zanella.

The National Theatre of Opera and Ballet announced Thursday that the audience will experience some of the most beloved arias of classical music, enjoying pieces by Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, and Strauss.

“The show is a way to celebrate music with all the artists. Performance features several musical pieces by various composers, each expressing love. Music, voice, and dance are living arts that must remain in the theater,” Renato Zanella said in remarks at a press conference to introduce the show.

“I’m pleased to be here for this important event. I would like to emphasize one word—joy—it is the thread that connects the artists to the audience, and it is this concept that should be felt by the people who have filled the hall to experience the music,” conductor Sergio Alapont said.

For the artists, it is beautiful that this show takes place in the spring, a season associated with rebirth, as they explain what these evenings will bring.

The Opera Gala will last two hours and bring 150 artists of the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet to the stage.

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The event was organized in framework of the Day of the Republic of Türkiye. It was inspired and based on the values ​​of the Ottoman cultural heritage in different periods of time. But, the designer has also been inspired in her creativity by the archaeological sites, the beauties of the cultural monuments of Türkiye.

“Journey to the Ottoman Empire” was like a moving exhibition in the form of a fashion show. Mirela Nurçe’s creations were brought with elegance by the models of the “Grace Models Albania” agency.

On this occasion, the internationally renowned photographer Fadil Berisha was also present at the Center for Openness and Dialogue. /r.e/a.f/p.s./

“Oriental Vibe” is the latest event on a calendar of a plethora of activities staged at Tirana’s Pazari i Ri (New Bazaar) a day ago, with hundreds of local citizens and foreign tourists joining a series of fun activities under oriental rhythms.

Activities also included body painting, face painting and artistic creations. The show started at 10:00 with the talented artist Dejvi and continued with the rhythmic music by Sergio until 13:30.

The show concluded with the fools and clowns performance attracting attention of everyone and turning the New Bazaar area into a popular attraction in the Albanian capital.

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