Albania marks 68 years of UNESCO membership, highlighting its cultural and natural heritage
Albania joined the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) 68 years ago, becoming part of an international effort to protect cultural and natural heritage around the world. UNESCO safeguards invaluable heritage sites that bear witness to human life and activity across the centuries. The organization has 194 member …
Albania’s Interfaith Council calls for peace, justice and national dialogue amid rising tensions
The Interfaith Council of Albania has issued a public statement calling for peace, justice, responsibility and national dialogue. The appeal comes as the country faces protests and rising tensions. Representatives of Albania’s official religious communities urged authorities to take citizens’ and students’ concerns seriously. They called for concrete and transparent …
INSTAT: Albania’s tourism growth slows sharply in August despite rise in hotel occupancy
Albania’s hotels and other accommodation facilities recorded a sharp slowdown in tourism growth during the peak summer season. Both visitor numbers and overnight stays increased at much slower rates than a year earlier, according to the country’s statistics agency, INSTAT. The number of visitors staying in Albanian accommodation rose by …
Japanese Tea Ceremony Brings Tradition and Philosophy to Tirana
A traditional Japanese tea ceremony brought an authentic taste of Japanese culture to Tirana as part of Japanese Cultural Week, which began on October 14 and runs through October 18. Japanese masters led demonstrations that introduced participants to this centuries-old tradition. The ceremony combined aesthetics, philosophy, mindfulness and harmony. Participants …
UN urges restraint and dialogue as tensions escalate during Tirana protest
The United Nations in Albania has expressed concern over acts of violence and rising tensions during protests in Tirana. The organization has called on all parties to avoid violence and engage in constructive dialogue. In its statement, the UN reaffirmed the importance of protecting fundamental rights. These include peaceful assembly, …
Balkans Sea Fair Returns to Orikum for Three Days of Sailing, Adventure and Business
Balkans Sea Fair will return to Marina Orikum in Vlora for its second edition, following its debut in May 2025. The three-day event, scheduled for October 16–18, will promote Albania’s maritime tourism through sailing, adventure, business and seaside entertainment. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja said the fair …
Petro Zheji: Celebrating Albania’s Renowned Translator and Linguistic Thinker
Petro Zheji (1929–2015) ranks among Albania’s most distinguished translators. During the communist era, he helped introduce major works of world literature to Albanian readers, alongside prominent translators such as Mitrush Kuteli, Jusuf Vrioni, Klio Evangjeli and Vedat Kokona. His translations covered a wide range of literary traditions, including German, Spanish, …
Albanian State Police denies claims that Serbian officers joined its ranks
Albania’s State Police has dismissed social media reports claiming that Serbian police officers have joined its ranks. The force described the allegations as false and malicious. The police said the claims seek to exploit nationalist sentiment, stir tensions and undermine public trust. It warned that such allegations could fuel conflict …
rench media outlet Ulysse: Albania among 10 European destinations recommended for autumn holidays
Albania features among 10 European destinations recommended for autumn holidays in a selection published by French media outlet Ulysse. The list highlights places where visitors can enjoy nature, beaches and cultural attractions in October. In an article by Luc Rongier, Albania appears alongside Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, southern France, Croatia, …
Rama blames opposition and foreign forces for violence during Tirana protests
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama today condemned violence during three days of protests in Tirana. Speaking outside a private business gutted by fire, he blamed the opposition and alleged that foreign forces also sought to destabilize Albania. He claimed these actors wanted to obstruct the country’s path towards European Union …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced a new legislative package aimed at combating violence and urban anarchy, a day after Saturday’s protest in Tirana, which was marked by clashes, Molotov cocktail attacks on institutions, and damage to public and private property. Rama stressed that the package is based on the …
Prime Minister Edi Rama, while presenting the new legislative package against violence and urban anarchy, outlined the six instruments included in the package, focusing particularly on compensation for affected businesses and financial liability for damage caused during public gatherings. Rama stressed that the main principle of the package is that …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has stated that the new legislative package against violence and urban anarchy does not undermine citizens’ freedoms and rights, stressing that protesting and opposing the government are rights that must be guaranteed. Rama said he is willing to listen to citizens who have objections to the …
Prime Minister Edi Rama, during a statement today on the new legislative amendments concerning public gatherings, explained that the measures provide for security perimeters around sensitive sites and allow police to restrict gatherings for up to 72 hours near educational and healthcare institutions, as well as places of worship. “For …
The protest, which initially began outside the Ministry of Education, has moved to Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard, in front of the Prime Minister’s Office. Upon arriving at the site, tensions escalated once again. Protesters grabbed and smashed the “dialogue chairs” placed outside the Prime Minister’s Office by Prime Minister Edi …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has accused those behind violent protests of seeking to destabilize Albania and divert the country’s path toward the future. Speaking at a joint press conference with Interior Minister Ervin Demo, Rama alleged that organized crime and foreign actors stood behind the violent element of the protests. …
Clashes between protesters and police spread across Tirana on Saturday after a student protest began outside the Ministry of Education at 2 p.m. Some demonstrators threw stones at the building and police officers, prompting police to respond with water cannons and tear gas. Protesters then moved to Skanderbeg Square and …
The European Union has welcomed Kosovo President Justina Shiroka Pula’s decision to return the Law on the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague to Parliament for reconsideration, adding that it expects to be consulted if discussions on the legislation resume. “The EU has consistently expressed deep concern about the initiative …
Protesters mobilized by the Democratic Party (DP) set fire to the seats placed by Prime Minister Edi Rama outside the government building as an invitation for dialogue. Prime Minister Edi Rama responded in a post on his Facebook page, accusing the Democratic Party of “urban terror.” “And here comes the …
Euronews is broadcasting Saturday’s protest in Tirana live, reporting that opposition supporters and students have mobilized in the Albanian capital. According to authorities, 2,500 police officers have been deployed across the streets of Tirana. Protesters took to the streets of the capital on Saturday, as police used water cannons and …