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Kanye West to Headline Historic One-Night Show in Tirana

Tirana prepares to host a major international music event on July 11, 2026. Kanye West will perform a one-night-only show in Albania. Tourism Minister Blendi Gonxhja announces the event and calls it a milestone for the country. He says the concert will place Albania on the global events map. Organizers …

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Berat and Gjirokastër Highlight Global Model for Heritage Management

Albania presents Berat and Gjirokastër as international examples of heritage management at a conference in Mostar. Regional heritage directorates showcase an integrated management model for the two historic cities. Both cities belong to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Experts present strategies on funding preservation and sustainable growth. They highlight investments …

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Arts University and National Opera Sign Cooperation Agreement

The University of Arts and the National Theatre of Opera, Ballet and Folk Ensemble sign a cooperation agreement in Tirana. Director General Aulon Naçi and Rector Erald Bakalli formalize the partnership. The agreement strengthens institutional cooperation. It creates new opportunities for students to gain professional experience and join artistic productions. …

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Gjirokastër Extends Visiting Hours at Cultural Monuments for Tourist Season

The official start of the tourist season in Gjirokastër has led to extended visiting hours at cultural heritage sites for visitors and tourists. According to the Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage, from May 1 to October 31, Gjirokastër Castle and the Antigonea Archaeological Park will welcome ticketed visitors under a …

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Albanian PM Announces Kanye West Concert Despite Antisemitism Concerns

Controversial US rapper also known as Ye – who has been banned from the UK and Australia – will hold a concert in Tirana on July 11, Prime Minister Edi Rama announced on Facebook. Original post Here

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“Double Your Business” scheme, Finance Minister: sovereign guarantee and negotiations on loan terms

TIRANA, April 30 – Finance Minister Petrit Malaj says the new programme “Double Your Business” will be launched soon. He speaks during a press conference on the first-quarter fiscal performance. He says the scheme remains in the preparation phase. The Ministry of Finance negotiates with the Ministry of Economy and …

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150,000 euro of confiscated crime assets allocated to 21 non-governmental organisations for social projects

TIRANA, April 30 – Minister of Interior Besfort Lamallari met representatives of 21 civil society organisations (NGOs) selected for funding from a special state fund. The fund comes from assets seized and confiscated from criminal activity. The programme is managed by the Agency for the Administration of Seized and Confiscated …

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Slovak foreign minister: Western Balkans EU integration a strategic priority, rule of law in focus

TIRANA, April 30 – Slovakia’s Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar said European Union enlargement remains a strategic priority. He spoke at a joint press conference with Albania’s Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha, Austria’s Beate Meinl-Reisinger, and the Czech Republic’s Petr Macinka. Blanár described the meeting as useful and necessary. …

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Czech foreign minister: Western Balkans belongs in EU, Albania’s progress impressive

TIRANA, April 30 – Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka joined Austrian and Slovak counterparts in Tirana for a joint press conference with Albania’s Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha, where they reaffirmed support for Albania’s European Union path and reviewed progress in accession talks. At the start, Macinka framed the visit as …

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Austria’s foreign minister backs Albania’s EU path, urges continued reforms and delivery from the EU

TIRANA, April 30 – Austria’s Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger expressed strong support for Albania’s European Union path during a joint appearance in Tirana with Albania’s Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha and counterparts from the Czech Republic and Slovakia, where she framed EU enlargement as a strategic investment for Europe rather than …

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Reinier de Graaf Explains Reinier de Graaf

Tirana Times, June 30, 2026 – When Tirana Times published Reinier de Graaf’s open letter from The Albanian Files, it did so because the text had already become one of the most discussed and controversial passages of the book. The letter, written in March 2025, appeared to call, in deliberately provocative …

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Albania Moves to Revive Naval Industry Through Fincantieri Partnership

On June 30, 2026, Albania signed a cooperation memorandum in Vlora with Italy’s Fincantieri, one of Europe’s leading shipbuilders, in a move aimed at reviving naval production at the Pashaliman base and strengthening the country’s defence industrial capacity. The memorandum, signed between the Albanian state company KAYO, Fincantieri and the …

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Are Europe’s Star Architects Helping Launder Albania’s Criminal Economy?

The Albanian Files suggests that international architecture may have served not only as design, but as a prestigious façade for opaque money, captured institutions and one-man rule. Tirana Times, June 29, 2026 – A glossy architectural volume meant to celebrate Albania’s transformation has unexpectedly become one of the most revealing …

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TKOBAP Polyphony Group Performs at Piccolo Opera Festival 2026 in Italy

The Albanian iso-polyphony group from the National Ensemble of Folk Songs and Dances (TKOBAP) performed at the Piccolo Opera Festival 2026 in Italy. As a result, Albanian traditional music reached an international audience. The group presented Albania’s rich iso-polyphonic heritage, which is recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. In …

News
Tirana International Airport adds direct flights to Gothenburg

TIRANA, June 30 – Tirana International Airport has expanded its route network by adding direct flights to Gothenburg. The airport said Norwegian Air Shuttle will operate the route. The new service will offer passengers an additional travel option for tourism, business and family visits. Meanwhile, the new route strengthens air …

News
Shkodër Art Gallery brings artworks to city streets through digital exhibitions

TIRANA, June 30 – Shkodër Art Gallery presents its collection in public spaces this summer. The gallery places digital exhibitions across the city for visitors and residents. The works include paintings created over different years. Albanian painters and young artists contribute to the collection. The exhibits appear through barcode access. …

News
Albania Women’s Basketball Team Finishes Runner-Up at European Small Countries Championship

The Albanian women’s national basketball team finished second at the European Championship for Small Countries. As a result, they won the silver medal after losing the final to Malta 72–55. The final took place at the “Karagaç” sports hall in Peja. From the start, Malta controlled the game. They built …

News
190th anniversary of first publication of The Songs of Milosao

TIRANA, June 30 – Albania marks the 190th anniversary of the first publication of The Songs of Milosao, the masterpiece of Jeronim De Rada that is widely regarded as the foundation of Albanian Romanticism. First published in Naples on June 30, 1836, the work introduced a new artistic and national …

News
Jonid Jorgji becomes member of European Film Academy

TIRANA, June 30 – The National Center of Cinematography announced Jonid Jorgji as a member of the European Film Academy. It confirmed his selection in an official statement. In addition, the institution described the appointment as recognition of his contribution and vision in the audiovisual sector. It framed the membership …

News
Albania U-21 to compete at Taranto 2026 Mediterranean games

TIRANA, June 30 – Albania’s U-21 national football team will compete at the Mediterranean Games “Taranto 2026” in Italy. The event runs from 23 August to 1 September 2026. The International Committee of the Mediterranean Games organizes the competition. The football tournament features eight national teams. Organizers split the teams …

News

Reinier de Graaf Explains Reinier de Graaf

Tirana Times, June 30, 2026 – When Tirana Times published Reinier de Graaf’s open letter from The Albanian Files, it did so because the text had already become one of the most discussed and controversial passages of the book. The letter, written in March 2025, appeared to call, in deliberately provocative …

News

Albania Moves to Revive Naval Industry Through Fincantieri Partnership

On June 30, 2026, Albania signed a cooperation memorandum in Vlora with Italy’s Fincantieri, one of Europe’s leading shipbuilders, in a move aimed at reviving naval production at the Pashaliman base and strengthening the country’s defence industrial capacity. The memorandum, signed between the Albanian state company KAYO, Fincantieri and the …

News

Are Europe’s Star Architects Helping Launder Albania’s Criminal Economy?

The Albanian Files suggests that international architecture may have served not only as design, but as a prestigious façade for opaque money, captured institutions and one-man rule. Tirana Times, June 29, 2026 – A glossy architectural volume meant to celebrate Albania’s transformation has unexpectedly become one of the most revealing …

News

TKOBAP Polyphony Group Performs at Piccolo Opera Festival 2026 in Italy

The Albanian iso-polyphony group from the National Ensemble of Folk Songs and Dances (TKOBAP) performed at the Piccolo Opera Festival 2026 in Italy. As a result, Albanian traditional music reached an international audience. The group presented Albania’s rich iso-polyphonic heritage, which is recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. In …

News

Tirana International Airport adds direct flights to Gothenburg

TIRANA, June 30 – Tirana International Airport has expanded its route network by adding direct flights to Gothenburg. The airport said Norwegian Air Shuttle will operate the route. The new service will offer passengers an additional travel option for tourism, business and family visits. Meanwhile, the new route strengthens air …

News

Shkodër Art Gallery brings artworks to city streets through digital exhibitions

TIRANA, June 30 – Shkodër Art Gallery presents its collection in public spaces this summer. The gallery places digital exhibitions across the city for visitors and residents. The works include paintings created over different years. Albanian painters and young artists contribute to the collection. The exhibits appear through barcode access. …

News

Albania Women’s Basketball Team Finishes Runner-Up at European Small Countries Championship

The Albanian women’s national basketball team finished second at the European Championship for Small Countries. As a result, they won the silver medal after losing the final to Malta 72–55. The final took place at the “Karagaç” sports hall in Peja. From the start, Malta controlled the game. They built …

News

190th anniversary of first publication of The Songs of Milosao

TIRANA, June 30 – Albania marks the 190th anniversary of the first publication of The Songs of Milosao, the masterpiece of Jeronim De Rada that is widely regarded as the foundation of Albanian Romanticism. First published in Naples on June 30, 1836, the work introduced a new artistic and national …

News

Jonid Jorgji becomes member of European Film Academy

TIRANA, June 30 – The National Center of Cinematography announced Jonid Jorgji as a member of the European Film Academy. It confirmed his selection in an official statement. In addition, the institution described the appointment as recognition of his contribution and vision in the audiovisual sector. It framed the membership …

News

Albania U-21 to compete at Taranto 2026 Mediterranean games

TIRANA, June 30 – Albania’s U-21 national football team will compete at the Mediterranean Games “Taranto 2026” in Italy. The event runs from 23 August to 1 September 2026. The International Committee of the Mediterranean Games organizes the competition. The football tournament features eight national teams. Organizers split the teams …