Christian Orthodox Easter in Albania: faith, tradition and a day of celebration
TIRANA, April 12 – Orthodox believers across Albania celebrate Easter today, marking one of the most important days in the Christian calendar. The feast reflects faith, renewal, and hope, while bringing families and communities together across the country. The roots of Orthodox Christianity in Albania date back to the early …
Believers receive Easter light at Tirana Orthodox Cathedral midnight service
TIRANA, April 12 – Orthodox believers gathered at the Resurrection of Christ Cathedral to celebrate Easter with the traditional midnight liturgy. The call “Come receive light from the unsetting light” marked the start of one of the most solemn services in the Orthodox calendar. Large numbers of worshippers attended the …
President Begaj extends Easter wishes, calls for spread of faith and hope
TIRANA, April 12 – President Bajram Begaj extended Easter greetings to Orthodox believers, marking the celebration with a message of faith, hope, and renewal. In a social media post, he wished that the light of God’s presence spreads everywhere and illuminates lives with belief and joy. He accompanied the message …
Prime Minister Rama extends Orthodox Easter greetings to believers
TIRANA, April 12 – Prime Minister Edi Rama extended Easter greetings to Orthodox believers, marking the celebration with a message shared on social media. In his post, he wished followers a blessed morning and a happy Orthodox Easter. His message comes as believers across Albania celebrate one of the most …
Easter celebration in Dhërmi features drone and fireworks display
TIRANA, April 12 – Dhërmi turned into a festive scene on Easter Eve, as hundreds of Orthodox believers gathered to celebrate the Holy Day. The coastal village hosted large crowds who joined prayers and candlelit rituals marking one of the most important dates in the Orthodox calendar. The atmosphere combined …
Albania’s EU bid faces IBAR delay
Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – Albania’s path toward European Union membership has entered a more uncertain phase as discussions over a key assessment report remain unfinished, exposing a gap between technical progress in reforms and the political consensus required among member states to move forward. At the center of …
Corruption Has Already Killed the Economy
By Gjergj Erebara Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – Prime Minister Edi Rama recently declared that he feels offended by the widespread assumption that his government is systemically corrupt, offering as a counterargument that this “cannot be true” because the country is experiencing economic growth. This is an unconvincing argument. …
Serbia Faces Mounting Scrutiny as Democratic Backsliding Deepens
Serbia could lose €1.36 billion from the EU Growth Plan over rule of law and democratic concerns, according to the European Movement in Serbia. Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – Serbia’s path toward European Union membership is facing renewed uncertainty amid growing concerns over democratic backsliding, rule of law deficiencies, …
Dirty Money in the Skyline: Albania’s Tower Boom and the Laundering of Criminal Wealth
From towers to “new pyramids”: how money from organized crime, international drug trafficking and entrenched corruption is reshaping Tirana while leaving behind empty buildings, distorted prices and a deeper threat to Albania’s future. Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – The forest of cranes and high rise towers that now dominates …
Niko Peleshi Meets Gunnar Schellenberger in Korçë
Niko Peleshi met Gunnar Schellenberger in Korçë. They discussed cooperation and city development. They focused on education, technology, culture, and art. They highlighted their role in Korçë’s future. They also discussed University of Fan S. Noli. They called it an important bridge for academic cooperation. They mentioned student exchanges and …
Minister of Finance Petrit Malaj said Albania continues to stand out as one of the most stable economies in the region. He said the country maintains positive growth prospects. This comes despite global uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and inflationary pressures. Furthermore, he referred to the latest World Bank report. He said …
Preparations for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2027 are now underway in Albania. Work has started at the Arena e Demave Stadium to replace the artificial turf with natural grass. The process has already begun with the removal of the existing playing surface. Next, workers will install a modern irrigation …
Prime Minister Edi Rama praised a cleanup action held in Theth as part of environmental protection initiatives. The campaign brought together many young people and volunteers under the motto: “Nature gives to us, we take care of it.” He said the initiative showed strong civic responsibility and respect for the …
Chairman of the Socialist Party parliamentary group Taulant Balla held a meeting with the Chargé d’Affaires of the United States in Tirana Nancy VanHorn. He said cooperation between Albania and the United States remains at an excellent level across all bilateral areas. He also highlighted collaboration within shared international organizations. …
President of the Albanian National Olympic Committee Komiteti Olimpik Kombëtar Shqiptar, Fidel Ylli, attends the 55th General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees. The event takes place under the European Olympic movement and stands as one of the most important meetings in the continental sports calendar. The European Olympic Committees …
The extraordinary exhibition of Albanian icons opens in Chambéry, France, as organizers complete final preparations. First, teams finish setting up the exhibition “Icons of Albania – Treasures of the National Museum of Medieval Art of Korça.” The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Chambéry prepares to welcome visitors for the opening ceremony. …
Albania prepares for the upcoming international concert of artist Kanye West, scheduled for 11 July in Kashar, Tirana. First, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja attends an interinstitutional coordination meeting in Tirana. Officials discuss the necessary measures to ensure smooth organization of the event. Next, authorities focus on …
Archaeologists uncover new mosaics during excavations in Elbasan. First, the Institute of Archaeology of the Academy of Sciences carries out excavations under the project “Roman-Byzantine Quarter Outside the Walls of Castrum Scampis – Extra Muros Early Christian Basilica.” They discover previously unknown mosaics near the early Christian basilica outside the …
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja meets Tobias Flessenkemper, Director at the Council of Europe’s Directorate for Democracy, in Tirana. First, they meet during the 42nd Conference of the European Youth Card Association (EYCA), which takes place in Albania for the first time. The event brings together more …
Prime Minister Edi Rama shares video highlights from the final of the competition “Eja këndo me ne” at the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet in Tirana. First, the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet (TKOB) hosts the final event dedicated to children as part of the after-school program. The …