Blog
News

Ambassador Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi: Saudi Arabia Cultural Week, a Bridge of Communication Between the Two Countries

On the eve of Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Week, which will take place in Tirana from September 16–20 at the Palace of Congresses, the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Albania, Mr. Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi, through a press statement, praised this event as …

Read More
News

Dirty Water: Albania’s Polluted Rivers Need Cleaning Now, Activist Says

When Denisa Kasa returned from abroad and saw the state of Albania’s filthy waterways, she was shocked. Now she has formed an independent collective of young people dedicated to the ‘dream of clean rivers’. Original post Here

Read More
News

Saudi Cultural Week to Bring a Taste of Arabia to Tirana

Tirana will soon open its doors to the sights, sounds, and flavors of Arabia. From 16 to 20 September 2025, the Palace of Congresses will transform into a vibrant stage for Saudi Cultural Week, a five-day celebration of art, heritage, and creativity hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Culture. The festival promises to be more …

Read More
News

Iranian Opposition Group’s Stay in Albania Turns Sour

Albania’s hosting of an exiled Iranian opposition group was never likely to be easy. Now it’s under criminal investigation. Original post Here

Read More
News

Week in Review: Tricks and Surprises

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and other turbulent issues across the region. Original post Here

Read More
News

Years After Discovery, Albania’s Roman-Era Mosaics Remain Hidden to Public View

The city of Durres on Albania’s Adriatic coast boasts a fine selection of Roman-era mosaics. But due to a lack of initiative by the local authorities, progress has been slow to preserve them and make them available for the public to view. Original post Here

Read More
News

After Major Wildfires, Albania Warned to Boost Preparedness Urgently

As Mediterranean fire seasons grow in intensity, Albania’s government faces calls to invest in firefighting and reforestation. Original post Here

Read More
News

“Challenges of Academic Integrity in Albanian Universities: An Interview with Migen Qiraxhi”

Interview with Migen Qiraxhi, Project Manager at Qëndresa Qytetare, July 17 In Albania, where higher education is often portrayed as a bridge to opportunity and European integration, the reality on the ground tells a darker story. Behind university gates, corruption, nepotism, and political interference have quietly hollowed out institutions that …

Read More
News

Week in Review: Influence, Repression and Revival

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and a whole lot more. Original post Here

Read More
News

Digital Rights Review: Privacy and Freedom of Expression Threatened

From data leaks and criminal hacks to smear campaigns, BIRN’s digital rights monitoring team documented widespread privacy violations and assaults on freedom of speech across Southeast Europe in July. Original post Here

Read More
News
Albania Launches Regional Project to Strengthen Mediation Systems in Southeast Europe

Albania’s Ministry of Justice hosted representatives from partner institutions in Kosovo and North Macedonia during the Regional Forum on Strengthening Mediation Mechanisms. During the event, officials officially launched the “SEE Mediation – Strengthening Mediation Systems in Southeast Europe” project. The forum brought together justice sector representatives, judges, prosecutors, and mediators …

News
Balla: Irrigation, Legalization and Pensions Remain Government Priorities

Taulant Balla meets residents of Bago in Kavaja and discusses key issues affecting daily life. He focuses on agriculture, legalization, and pensions. He says the government restores attention to irrigation systems under Prime Minister Edi Rama. He explains that investments bring around 300,000 hectares of agricultural land back under irrigation …

News
Success Stories from Albanians in Tourism, Innovation and Medical Tourism Featured in “Flasim”

The latest episode of the podcast “Flasim” highlights Albanian success stories in medical tourism, sustainable construction, and tourism entrepreneurship. The program focuses on how these sectors support economic growth and expand Albania’s international profile. Edi Rama hosts the episode and presents guests who share their experiences and business developments. He …

News
Rama: Human Capital Is Key to Albania’s Economic Success in the Next Decade

Edi Rama highlights the importance of vocational education and human capital as key drivers of Albania’s economic development over the next decade. He opens the latest episode of the podcast “Flasim” and stresses that a strong workforce determines much of the country’s future economic success. First, he explains that Albania …

News
Rama: PS 35th Anniversary Finds Albania Better Than Ever and Closer to the EU

Edi Rama states that the 35th anniversary of the Socialist Party finds Albania in its strongest position ever and closer than ever to European Union membership. He opens the podcast “Flasim” and explains that the anniversary was planned in advance. He also frames the moment as both a celebration and …

News
Albania and U.S. Strengthen Defense Partnership in Washington Meetings

Ermal Nufi meets senior officials at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, where both sides reaffirm their commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership between Albania and the United States. He holds talks with Sonata Coulter and Rachel Schiller. During the meetings, he focuses on cooperation within the NATO alliance. …

News
Shehu: Technology and Diaspora Drive Albanian Entrepreneurship in Global Markets

Entrepreneur Hudi Shehu says technology and the Albanian diaspora play a decisive role in helping young people build careers and businesses in global markets. He explains that technology reduces geographical barriers and allows entrepreneurs to operate internationally from anywhere. As a result, he says location matters less than skills and …

News
Gjon Mili Retrospective Opens at “Marubi,” Celebrating Pioneer of Modern Photography

The exhibition “Gjon Mili: Retrospective” opens at the National Museum of Photography Marubi National Museum of Photography and brings the work of photographer Gjon Mili back to Albania. The museum presents original works curated by Howard Greenberg. It showcases Mili as a pioneer of modern photography. First, the exhibition displays …

News
Yll Limani Concerts Turn Tirana into a Major Music Event Hub

Two nights of concerts by Yll Limani bring tens of thousands of young people to Tirana and turn the capital into a major center of music and entertainment. The events take place at the Athletics Track near the Grand Park of Lake Tirana. As a result, the concerts attract audiences …

News
Protests, Rama: Tourists Are Cancelling Bookings, There Is a Fascist Mentality That Does Not Accept Opposing Views

Prime Minister Edi Rama stated that the recent protests are negatively affecting the tourism sector, leading to cancellations of bookings by foreign tourists for the summer season. Speaking on the podcast “Flasim,” Rama said he has received complaints and messages from tourism operators across different parts of the country, who …

News

Albania Launches Regional Project to Strengthen Mediation Systems in Southeast Europe

Albania’s Ministry of Justice hosted representatives from partner institutions in Kosovo and North Macedonia during the Regional Forum on Strengthening Mediation Mechanisms. During the event, officials officially launched the “SEE Mediation – Strengthening Mediation Systems in Southeast Europe” project. The forum brought together justice sector representatives, judges, prosecutors, and mediators …

News

Balla: Irrigation, Legalization and Pensions Remain Government Priorities

Taulant Balla meets residents of Bago in Kavaja and discusses key issues affecting daily life. He focuses on agriculture, legalization, and pensions. He says the government restores attention to irrigation systems under Prime Minister Edi Rama. He explains that investments bring around 300,000 hectares of agricultural land back under irrigation …

News

Success Stories from Albanians in Tourism, Innovation and Medical Tourism Featured in “Flasim”

The latest episode of the podcast “Flasim” highlights Albanian success stories in medical tourism, sustainable construction, and tourism entrepreneurship. The program focuses on how these sectors support economic growth and expand Albania’s international profile. Edi Rama hosts the episode and presents guests who share their experiences and business developments. He …

News

Rama: Human Capital Is Key to Albania’s Economic Success in the Next Decade

Edi Rama highlights the importance of vocational education and human capital as key drivers of Albania’s economic development over the next decade. He opens the latest episode of the podcast “Flasim” and stresses that a strong workforce determines much of the country’s future economic success. First, he explains that Albania …

News

Rama: PS 35th Anniversary Finds Albania Better Than Ever and Closer to the EU

Edi Rama states that the 35th anniversary of the Socialist Party finds Albania in its strongest position ever and closer than ever to European Union membership. He opens the podcast “Flasim” and explains that the anniversary was planned in advance. He also frames the moment as both a celebration and …

News

Albania and U.S. Strengthen Defense Partnership in Washington Meetings

Ermal Nufi meets senior officials at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, where both sides reaffirm their commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership between Albania and the United States. He holds talks with Sonata Coulter and Rachel Schiller. During the meetings, he focuses on cooperation within the NATO alliance. …

News

Shehu: Technology and Diaspora Drive Albanian Entrepreneurship in Global Markets

Entrepreneur Hudi Shehu says technology and the Albanian diaspora play a decisive role in helping young people build careers and businesses in global markets. He explains that technology reduces geographical barriers and allows entrepreneurs to operate internationally from anywhere. As a result, he says location matters less than skills and …

News

Gjon Mili Retrospective Opens at “Marubi,” Celebrating Pioneer of Modern Photography

The exhibition “Gjon Mili: Retrospective” opens at the National Museum of Photography Marubi National Museum of Photography and brings the work of photographer Gjon Mili back to Albania. The museum presents original works curated by Howard Greenberg. It showcases Mili as a pioneer of modern photography. First, the exhibition displays …

News

Yll Limani Concerts Turn Tirana into a Major Music Event Hub

Two nights of concerts by Yll Limani bring tens of thousands of young people to Tirana and turn the capital into a major center of music and entertainment. The events take place at the Athletics Track near the Grand Park of Lake Tirana. As a result, the concerts attract audiences …

News

Protests, Rama: Tourists Are Cancelling Bookings, There Is a Fascist Mentality That Does Not Accept Opposing Views

Prime Minister Edi Rama stated that the recent protests are negatively affecting the tourism sector, leading to cancellations of bookings by foreign tourists for the summer season. Speaking on the podcast “Flasim,” Rama said he has received complaints and messages from tourism operators across different parts of the country, who …