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Jorgji: National Film Festival will bring artists together, not just screen films

The Albanian National Film Festival will return after a 14-year break. The festival aims to reconnect Albanian cinema with the public and create new opportunities for artists and filmmakers. The National Center of Cinematography (QKK) supports the event, while Ilir Butka leads its artistic direction. Iceberg Communication joins the festival …

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PM Rama: “Prania Besnike” (Committed Presence) to bring citizens’ concerns into institutional channels

TIRANA, September 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that “Prania Besnike” (Committed Presence) will take place every Friday at 17:00 across Albania. He said the initiative aims to make listening to citizens a condition and responding to their concerns an institutional duty. Speaking to the Socialist Party parliamentary group …

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Education Minister Kumbaro: New free textbooks for primary school students

TIRANA, September 3 – Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro announced the start of textbook distribution for the new school year. For the first time, all primary school students from first to fifth grade will receive new textbooks free of charge. Kumbaro said the measure would ease the financial burden on families. …

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At the Plane Tree, at the Hunters’ Club…

Gjirokastër has places that history preserves. People also keep them alive through memory. Near the famous plane tree in the city’s Bazaar, the Hunters’ Club became a well-known part of local life after 1947. The building had once housed the Prefecture café. Later, the hunters’ association moved its offices there. …

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“Daily Express”: British travel expert chooses Albania for an autumn getaway: “Absolutely wonderful”

Albania is quickly emerging as a top destination for autumn holidays. The country offers beaches, history, hospitality and affordable prices. British travel expert Simon Calder has highlighted Albania for its natural beauty, reasonable prices and the warm hospitality of its people. He described the country as “absolutely wonderful.” Calder selected …

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PM Rama: Public administration faces performance challenges but performed strongly in EU negotiations

TIRANA, September 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania’s latest public administration survey had identified challenges in employee performance. He highlighted the lack of measures for poor performance as an important issue, alongside salaries. At the same time, Rama praised the administration’s work during Albania’s European Union accession negotiations. …

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National Theatre closes season with 95 performances and more than ALL 10 million in revenue

TIRANA, September 3 – The National Theatre closed its 2025-2026 artistic season with 95 performances, more than 20,000 tickets sold and revenues exceeding ALL 10 million, according to Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja. The season ran from September 2025 to May 2026 and featured a diverse repertoire of …

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Klodiana Spahiu proposed as Minister of Health and Social Welfare

TIRANA, September 3 – The Agency for Media and Information announced Klodiana Spahiu’s proposed appointment as Minister of Health and Social Welfare. Spahiu graduated from the University of Tirana’s Faculty of Medicine in 1997 with a degree in General Medicine. From 1998 to 2002, she specialised in cardiology at the …

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President Begaj welcomes new Swiss ambassador, calls for increased investment

TIRANA, September 3 – President Bajram Begaj received Switzerland’s new ambassador to Albania, Siri Walt, who presented her credentials. Begaj expressed confidence that her mandate would further strengthen bilateral relations. The meeting covered cooperation in governance, economic development, education, healthcare, local government and environmental protection. Begaj thanked Switzerland for its …

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EU ambassador in Albania Moreira de Sousa meets EU ambassadors

TIRANA, September 3 – EU ambassador in Albania Sofia Moreira de Sousa held her first meeting with ambassadors of EU member states in Albania under the joint “Team Europe” approach. The EU Delegation said Moreira de Sousa presented her vision for supporting Albania’s reforms during the crucial stage of accession …

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Bank of Albania keeps key interest rate unchanged at 2.5%

The Bank of Albania has kept its key interest rate unchanged at 2.5%. The Supervisory Council announced the decision on November 3. Governor Gent Sejko also confirmed that the overnight deposit rate will remain at 1.5%. Meanwhile, the overnight lending rate will stay at 3.5%. Sejko said the decision reflects …

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Albania strengthens aviation emergency response with search-and-rescue drill

Albania will test its aviation emergency response capabilities today through a planned search-and-rescue exercise near Tirana International Airport. The drill, named SAR-2026, will run from 10:30 to 12:00. The National Search and Rescue Centre is organising the exercise with institutions responsible for aviation emergencies. Participants include the Armed Forces, Tirana …

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Albanian and Hungarian national libraries launch cultural cooperation

The National Library of Albania and Hungary’s National Szechenyi Library have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen professional, scientific and cultural ties. The signing ceremony brought together Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Lira Pipa and Hungarian Ambassador to Albania Martina Laura Kasnyik. The agreement provides for exchanges …

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FM Hoxha: Albania seeks merit-based European Union membership, not shortcuts

Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha attended the international conference “EU Enlargement: Assessing New Concepts and the Outlook for 2027,” organised by the German Council on Foreign Relations. Hoxha said geopolitical realities had made enlargement a strategic and security necessity for Europe. However, he stressed that this …

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Lezha begins construction of a new pedestrian zone

Construction has begun on a new pedestrian promenade in Lezha, a project worth ALL 62 million funded by the municipal budget. The development aims to create new recreational spaces for residents and tourists. The municipality expects to complete the project by next summer. Deputy PM Albana Koçiu shared footage of …

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European Commission to present Albania’s 2026 progress report in Brussels

The European Commission is expected to publish its 2026 Enlargement Package today at around 13:00, including its annual report on Albania. The report will assess reform progress, accession criteria and the challenges Albania must address on its path towards European Union membership. For the first time, the package is expected …

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Government plans higher spending on public security in 2027

Interior Minister Ervin Demo has presented the government’s proposed 2027 budget for the Interior Ministry to the Assembly’s Committee on Internal Affairs and Defence. The plan allocates around ALL 40 billion, a 12% increase from 2026 and the ministry’s highest budget allocation to date. It aims to strengthen public security, …

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Kruja: where history, culture and mountain tourism meet

Located on the slopes of a mountain, the historic city of Kruja remains one of Albania’s most popular tourist destinations. Just a short distance from Tirana, it attracts local and international visitors with its rich history, cultural traditions and natural beauty. Prime Minister Edi Rama has shared new images of …

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Government draft budget for 2027 prioritises infrastructure and energy projects

Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi has announced that the government’s draft budget for 2027 provides full funding for priority infrastructure and energy projects. It includes investment in roads and water supply and sewerage systems across all 12 counties. Key road projects include continued construction of the Elbasan bypass, completion …

News
Lion King musical brings a new adventure to Tirana’s Puppet Theatre

The musical “The Lion King” will bring a colourful theatrical experience to children and families in Tirana this November and December. Melsi Qirici, director of the National Centre of Culture for Children, has announced the performance dates. The show will take place on November 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and …

News

Bank of Albania keeps key interest rate unchanged at 2.5%

The Bank of Albania has kept its key interest rate unchanged at 2.5%. The Supervisory Council announced the decision on November 3. Governor Gent Sejko also confirmed that the overnight deposit rate will remain at 1.5%. Meanwhile, the overnight lending rate will stay at 3.5%. Sejko said the decision reflects …

News

Albania strengthens aviation emergency response with search-and-rescue drill

Albania will test its aviation emergency response capabilities today through a planned search-and-rescue exercise near Tirana International Airport. The drill, named SAR-2026, will run from 10:30 to 12:00. The National Search and Rescue Centre is organising the exercise with institutions responsible for aviation emergencies. Participants include the Armed Forces, Tirana …

News

Albanian and Hungarian national libraries launch cultural cooperation

The National Library of Albania and Hungary’s National Szechenyi Library have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen professional, scientific and cultural ties. The signing ceremony brought together Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Lira Pipa and Hungarian Ambassador to Albania Martina Laura Kasnyik. The agreement provides for exchanges …

News

FM Hoxha: Albania seeks merit-based European Union membership, not shortcuts

Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha attended the international conference “EU Enlargement: Assessing New Concepts and the Outlook for 2027,” organised by the German Council on Foreign Relations. Hoxha said geopolitical realities had made enlargement a strategic and security necessity for Europe. However, he stressed that this …

News

Lezha begins construction of a new pedestrian zone

Construction has begun on a new pedestrian promenade in Lezha, a project worth ALL 62 million funded by the municipal budget. The development aims to create new recreational spaces for residents and tourists. The municipality expects to complete the project by next summer. Deputy PM Albana Koçiu shared footage of …

News

European Commission to present Albania’s 2026 progress report in Brussels

The European Commission is expected to publish its 2026 Enlargement Package today at around 13:00, including its annual report on Albania. The report will assess reform progress, accession criteria and the challenges Albania must address on its path towards European Union membership. For the first time, the package is expected …

News

Government plans higher spending on public security in 2027

Interior Minister Ervin Demo has presented the government’s proposed 2027 budget for the Interior Ministry to the Assembly’s Committee on Internal Affairs and Defence. The plan allocates around ALL 40 billion, a 12% increase from 2026 and the ministry’s highest budget allocation to date. It aims to strengthen public security, …

News

Kruja: where history, culture and mountain tourism meet

Located on the slopes of a mountain, the historic city of Kruja remains one of Albania’s most popular tourist destinations. Just a short distance from Tirana, it attracts local and international visitors with its rich history, cultural traditions and natural beauty. Prime Minister Edi Rama has shared new images of …

News

Government draft budget for 2027 prioritises infrastructure and energy projects

Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi has announced that the government’s draft budget for 2027 provides full funding for priority infrastructure and energy projects. It includes investment in roads and water supply and sewerage systems across all 12 counties. Key road projects include continued construction of the Elbasan bypass, completion …

News

Lion King musical brings a new adventure to Tirana’s Puppet Theatre

The musical “The Lion King” will bring a colourful theatrical experience to children and families in Tirana this November and December. Melsi Qirici, director of the National Centre of Culture for Children, has announced the performance dates. The show will take place on November 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and …