Albanians ‘Deliberately Forgetting’ Horrors of Communist Past, Writer Says
In his new book, political scientist Ermal Hasimja says Albanians have deliberately decided to ‘forget’ the criminal nature of the country’s former communist regime, as a kind of defence mechanism. Original post Here
Freed Albanian Opposition Leader Demands New Govt Ahead of Elections
After being freed from house arrest, the opposition Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha demanded the formation of a new ‘technical’ caretaker government to steer the country ahead of 2025 elections. Original post Here
Robert Budina: Filmmaker Whose Risky Escape from Albania Shaped His Work
The son of an army general in communist Albania, Robert Budina was part of the student protests that helped bring down the regime, only to flee to Italy on an overcrowded boat. The experience has informed his work ever since. Original post Here
Albania Drug Trafficking Probe Targets Top Policeman, Ex-Judge, Journalists
Prosecutors are investigating an Elbasan-based organised crime group that trafficked drugs from Latin America and whose suspected members and associates include a former judge, a senior police official and two journalists. Original post Here
Hundreds of Albanians Still Waiting for Homes, Five Years After Earthquake
The state promised everyone left homeless by a 2019 earthquake a new home in 2020. Some are still living in squalor. Original post Here
THE HISTORY OF AN ART GALLERY
ON THE OCCASION OF 10th ANNIVERSARY OF GALERIAKALO With the exhibition titled PROMENADE organized last week, FONDACIONI KALO ART and GALERIAKALO celebrated their 10th anniversary. A selected number of artworks by Masters, and other well-established artists were displayed on that occasion. GALERIAKALO was founded in November 2014 to support …
Environment Paying Price of Albania’s Failure to Rehabilitate after Mining
A law requiring mining companies to rehabilitate the environment after their operations shut down is being almost completely ignored, and the state has failed to step in. Original post Here
Albania joins SEPA, marking tangible step in economic integration with the EU
TIRANA, Nov. 22, 2024 – Albania’s application to join the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) has been approved, and the country will join on Jan. 1, 2025, alongside Montenegro, the central bank announced Thursday. SEPA membership is particularly important because it is a rare tangible measure of EU integration at …
Albania Condemns ‘Passivisation’ of Albanians’ Addresses in South Serbia
Albania joined Kosovo in criticising Serbia’s practice of marking ethnic Albanians’ addresses as ‘inactive’, describing it as a “violation of human rights and standards for the protection of minorities”. Original post Here
Western Balkans’ Biodiversity Threatened by Development and Mismanagement, Report Warns
German-based EuroNatur Foundation report highlights escalating threats to ecosystems im Western Balkans, saying development pressures, policy gaps and poor enforcement of rules jeopardise their future. Original post Here
Prime Minister Edi Rama welcomed the opposition’s support for a parliamentary resolution on Albania’s European Union integration process. Speaking on the “FLASIM” podcast, Rama described the joint vote in Parliament as a positive step for Albania’s European future. He said opposition parties unexpectedly joined the ruling majority in backing the …
The Academy of Sciences commemorated writer, publicist, and patriot Haki Stërmilli on the anniversary of his birth. Stërmilli was born on May 17, 1895, in Dibër e Madhe. He studied in Manastir but could not finish school due to the Balkan Wars. After Dibra was left outside Albania’s borders, he …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania has achieved strong progress in public procurement, ranking first in the region based on European Union assessments. Speaking on the “FLASIM” podcast, Rama described public procurement as one of the most important chapters in the EU integration process. He said international evaluations show significant …
The concert “Brez pas Brezi” brought back the legacy, emotion, and artistic heritage of the National Ensemble at the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Albania, uniting past, present, and future on one stage. The event gathered veteran artists and young performers in a live dialogue between tradition and …
The joint training exercise between Albanian Special Operations Forces and instructors from United States Special Forces has been highlighted by NATO on social media. The Alliance shared images of the exercise focused on movement in difficult terrain and low-visibility operations. NATO stated: “Before the mission comes training. Before pressure comes …
Cannes Film Festival hosts a historic agreement between Albania and France on film co-productions. Minister Blendi Gonxhja signs the deal and calls it a strategic step for Albanian cinema. He says the agreement opens new doors for Albanian filmmakers in Europe and beyond. French officials welcome the partnership. They say …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha announces that Albania develops the National Diaspora Strategy 2026–2030 after the 4th Diaspora Summit. He says the government finalizes the strategy and action plan through consultations with an inter-institutional working group. The strategy promotes investment, strengthens the Albanian language and culture, and …
The grand final of Eurovision was also marked by an incident at the Media Center. During the performance of Albanian singer Alis Kallaci, a member of the Serbian delegation allegedly tried to prevent the waving of the Kosovo flag. Albert Limani, a member of Eurovision Kosova who was present in …
Through an official telegram sent to local police directorates and departments, Police Chief Skënder Hita has ordered increased security measures in schools and stronger action against the distribution of narcotics within the security perimeter of educational institutions. It is learned that Hita’s order came after an analysis of issues during …
Vlora is bringing back traffic lights after many years in an effort to ease traffic on the city’s most problematic roads. For the first time in a long period, traffic lights will be installed at several key road intersections as part of measures aimed at improving circulation and preventing heavy …