International Dance Festival Tirana Opens with 17 Performances Across the City
The International Dance Festival Tirana (IDFT) will launch its fifth edition on October 3, bringing a rich program of contemporary dance, international artists and artistic companies to the Albanian capital through October 21. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja said the festival will feature 17 performances in nine …
OSCE Highlights Importance of Inclusive Participation in Justice System
The Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Ambassador Michel Tarran, met today with representatives of the Union of Judges, the National Association of Judges and the Association of Prosecutors of Albania to discuss recent developments in the country’s justice system. According to the OSCE Presence, the discussion focused on …
Retro Car Tour Brings New Energy to Gjirokastër
Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images on social media today from “Gran Tour Albania,” an event that brought Italian collectors of vintage cars to the historic city of Gjirokastër. “Motoring enthusiasts and tourists added a new color to Gjirokastër in autumn,” Rama wrote alongside photos from the event. Rare vintage …
Monograph on Usta Josif and Përmet’s Saze Tradition Presented in Tirana
The National Library in Tirana hosted the presentation of “Usta Josifi and the Saze of Përmet,” a new monographic study by author Niko Mihali dedicated to one of Albania’s richest musical traditions. The book explores the urban folk music tradition of Përmet and focuses on the life and contribution of …
Defense Minister Nufi Meets New U.S. Ambassador Eric Wendt
Defense Minister Ermal Nufi met today with the new U.S. Ambassador to Albania, Eric Wendt, and reaffirmed the strong partnership between Albania and the United States in the fields of defense and security. Nufi described the United States as Albania’s indispensable partner in security and defense, while stressing that Albania …
Bujar Alimani’s ‘The Delegation’ Screened in Reims, France
Albanian film “The Delegation” (Le Dernier Prisonnier), directed by Bujar Alimani, was screened in the French city of Reims on Thursday evening. The event took place through cooperation between the European Commission Representation in France and the association “7ème Œil.” Albanian Ambassador to France Dritan Tola, Montenegro’s Ambassador to France …
Week in Review: Elections and Struggles
Women get a raw deal at elections in Bosnia, a spy chief’s arrest raises security questions in Albania and protesters challenge war crimes verdicts in Kosovo – plus much more in our selection of this week’s Balkan Insight Premium stories. Original post Here
Albania tourism minister calls for investment in workforce
Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said Albania has entered an important stage of tourism development. He spoke at the Future Hospitality Forum, organised by the Albanian Investment Development Agency. Gonxhja said growing international interest, expanding investment and a more diverse tourism offer are changing the sector. He added …
Mid’hat Frashëri: The Diplomat, Writer and Nationalist Who Shaped Albania’s Modern History
Mid’hat bej Frashëri, known by his pen name Lumo Skëndo, was one of the prominent figures of Albania’s political and cultural history. He worked as a diplomat, writer, politician, publicist and Albanologist, and played an active role in the Albanian National Renaissance and the country’s political life after independence. Frashëri …
Fokus Award photography festival opens in Shkodër
The 17th edition of the international Fokus Award Photography Festival has opened in Shkodër with the exhibition “No Limits”. The Oda Gallery hosts works by 10 Italian photographers. Festival artistic director Arben Alliaj said the photographers bring different styles, approaches and subjects. He said the exhibition reflects the broad possibilities …
Albania’s National Library has signed a cooperation agreement with the National Central Library of Florence, with support from the Italian Cultural Institute in Tirana. The agreement aims to strengthen ties between the two institutions and promote the preservation of library and documentary heritage. At the signing ceremony, Italian Cultural Institute …
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said the European Union’s enlargement process was gaining momentum. She confirmed that Albania was expected to provisionally close another negotiating chapter today, covering enterprise and industrial policy. The decision was due during the 10th Albania–EU Intergovernmental Conference in Luxembourg. Meanwhile, Montenegro provisionally closed three …
Albania’s Prosecutor General, Olsian Çela, has met with Audiovisual Media Authority (AMA) Chair Armela Krasniqi and signed a memorandum of cooperation to establish and operate a task force against digital audiovisual piracy. Under the agreement, AMA will report suspected criminal offences to the competent prosecution offices. The authority will also …
Private operators accounted for 92.7% of Albania’s rail freight transport, measured in tonne-kilometers, in 2025, according to the national statistics agency INSTAT. The figures appear in its report, “Transport in Figures 2025”, which highlights the dominant role of private companies in the sector. Rail freight transport reached 17 million tonne-kilometers …
Albania’s Transparency Board has set new fuel price caps, effective from 14:00 on October 13. Diesel may cost no more than ALL 219 per litre at retail and ALL 207 per litre at wholesale. Petrol prices may not exceed ALL 196 per litre at retail and ALL 184 per litre …
Albania’s accession talks with the European Union began on July 19, 2022. Today, the 10th Albania–EU Intergovernmental Conference in Luxembourg is expected to provisionally close Chapter 20 on Enterprise and Industrial Policy. This would bring the number of provisionally closed chapters to four. In October 2024, Albania opened its first …
Albania had 1,048,092 road vehicles in 2025, up 9.3% from the previous year. Passenger movements through land border crossings also increased, rising 6.5% to 28,421,891 entries and exits, according to the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT). Passenger cars accounted for 80.8% of the vehicle fleet, followed by motorcycles at 6.1%. The …
Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said the closure of Chapter 20 marks an important step in Albania’s European integration. The announcement came during the 10th Intergovernmental Conference between Albania and the European Union in Luxembourg on Tuesday. She said Albania had worked intensively over the past year to meet …
President Bajram Begaj attended the opening of the house museum of renowned Albanian writer Dritëro Agolli in Menkulas, Devoll, on the 95th anniversary of his birth. He described the museum as a national act of gratitude and an investment in Albania’s cultural heritage. Begaj said Agolli was one of the …
Albanian writer and poet Millosh Gjergj Nikolla, known by his pen name Migjeni, was born in Shkodër 115 years ago. His work brought open protest, dreams of a new world and deep optimism to Albanian literature. Migjeni wrote about the social hardships faced by ordinary people in the Albania of …