Albania inaugurated its National Pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia with the presentation of “A Place in the Sun” by artist Genti Korini, curated by Małgorzata Ludwisiak.
During the opening ceremony, Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sports Blendi Gonxhja described Albania’s participation as a strategic moment for promoting the country’s cultural identity on the international stage.
Furthermore, Gonxhja said the National Pavilion gives Albania an opportunity to express its identity and engage with the world through contemporary art and critical dialogue.
At the same time, the minister praised Korini’s installation for challenging the limits of communication and perception. He explained that the artwork transforms the pavilion into a space where language, history, and imagination interact in experimental ways.
Meanwhile, artist Genti Korini said the project explores identity as a continuous process rather than a fixed concept. He explained that the installation uses the experimental Zaum language and the structure of a fictional theater to immerse viewers in fragmented images, sounds, and narratives.
As a result, visitors actively create meaning while experiencing the work. Korini also stressed that the installation presents Albania as an open space for interpretation shaped by both history and modern perspectives.
In addition, Gonxhja highlighted the transformative role of art in society. He said Albania is building a new cultural model where art serves as a tool for development, reflection, and international dialogue instead of simple decoration.
Moreover, the minister emphasized the reopening of National Gallery of Arts of Albania. According to him, the institution will now function as an active platform for artistic production and collaboration.
The installation “A Place in the Sun” combines three-channel video, live performance, animation, puppet theater, and an original soundtrack. Consequently, the work creates a fictional theater that explores the tension between reality and fiction.
At the same time, the project draws on historical references and early 20th-century narratives about Albania’s representation in political and cultural discourse. Therefore, the pavilion becomes both a poetic and critical space where history meets artistic imagination.
Finally, Gonxhja thanked the artist, curator, and production teams for their contribution. He said the pavilion demonstrates Albania’s ability to communicate confidently on the world’s leading contemporary art stages.
Albania’s National Pavilion at the Venice Biennale 2026 will remain open to visitors from May 9 until November 22, 2026.
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