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Sami Frashëri, Enlightenment thinker who inspired the Albanian National Awakening of 19th century

TIRANA, June 1 – Enlightenment thinker and ideologue of the Albanian National Awakening Sami Frashëri was born on June 1, 1850 in Frashër, Përmet. He completed his early education in his hometown. He later studied at the “Zosimea” gymnasium in Ioannina. There, he learned several foreign languages, including Ancient Greek, …

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Albania at the Center of a Magical Balkan Travel Route, Writes La Vanguardia

Albania has emerged as a key highlight in a growing Balkan travel route that is attracting strong international attention, according to an article published in the Spanish magazine La Vanguardia. First, the article describes the Balkans as one of Europe’s most in-demand tourist regions this year, driven by a mix …

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Bekim Fehmiu, the Albanian “Ulysses”

TIRANA, June 1 – Actor of Albanian origin Bekim Fehmiu was born on June 1, 1936 in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. He studied film at the University of Belgrade between 1956 and 1960. He later built an international career through films such as “Odyssey” and “The Feather Collectors”. These works …

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Virtual farming assistant launched at digital agriculture conference

TIRANA, June 1 – Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla said Albania’s agricultural sector will rely increasingly on technology and real-time data, as officials presented “YLLI”, the first virtual assistant for Albanian farmers, at the “Digital Agriculture for Albania 2030” conference in Tirana. The new tool forms part of …

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Elite tourism can boost revenue and support wider economy, says prime minister

TIRANA, June 1 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania should aim for a higher level of tourism development as the country considers major investment projects such as the one planned in Zvërnec. Speaking on Monday, Rama said authorities have not yet received the project and have not completed the …

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Fun Fair Albania ends with Children’s Day celebrations in Tirana

TIRANA, June 1 – Fun Fair Albania concluded on Monday after four days of activities that began on May 29. The event offered entertainment and recreational activities from morning until evening. Children’s Day brought additional crowds to the fair. As a result, dozens of activities, games, creative workshops and surprises …

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Four Scenarios for Democracy in the Western Balkans: From Hope to Disenchantment

By the year 2040, will countries in the region choose to consolidate democracy, settle for ‘stabilitocracy’, or descend into full-blown authoritarianism? Original post Here

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: June 1, 2026

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

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Swedish media Dagens highlights Albania as emerging European tourist destination

TIRANA, June 1 – Albania is emerging as a new European tourism destination. Swedish media outlet “Dagens” reports growing interest from European travelers and describes Albania as more affordable than Spain and Greece, while also comparing it with Italy. Meanwhile, “Dagens” highlights Albania’s beaches, natural landscapes and competitive prices. It …

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Cherry Festival in Godolesh Highlights Local Tradition and Rural Tourism

The village of Godolesh welcomed hundreds of visitors this weekend for the annual Cherry Festival, an event dedicated to promoting the area’s agricultural traditions, cultural heritage and tourism potential. Residents and visitors from Elbasan, other Albanian cities and foreign tourists gathered in the village center to take part in the …

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“Vlora Airport Will Be Built and Become Operational” – Karakaçi: Companies Given 30 Days to Resolve Their Dispute

The Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Enena Karakaçi, stated to the media following the government meeting that the ministry has given the contracting companies responsible for the construction of Vlora International Airport a 30-day deadline to resolve their commercial dispute. Karakaçi emphasized that Vlora Airport will be completed and become operational according to …

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Rama on Zvërnec: Luxury Resorts Bring High Revenue to the Country, the Project Will Not Be Cancelled

Following the government meeting this Wednesday, Prime Minister Edi Rama addressed the media, also commenting on the construction of the resort in Zvërnec. Rama stated that resorts are among the main drivers of a country’s economic development and that he will not cancel the project. “I have to deal with people who say, …

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“Property’s Origin Is Now in SPAK’s Hands” – Rama on Zvërnec: This Will Put an End to Any Speculation That Project Is Not Based on the Law

Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke at a press conference regarding the construction project in the Zvërnec area, following the protests that have taken place there. Rama described the land purchase transaction as a positive development and stressed that anyone claiming ownership of the property will be subject to investigation. “What I want to talk …

News
Albanian Book Fair Comes to North Macedonia: 55 Publishers from the Region Gather in Skopje for the First Time

Thousands of book titles, dozens of publishers, and four days dedicated to Albanian-language literature. For the first time, Skopje will host the Albanian Book Fair 2026, an event aimed at bringing together publishers and book lovers from North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Albania. From June 4 to June 7, Skanderbeg Square will be transformed into a hub for the …

News
“Double Your Enterprise” Program Launches on July 1, Says Ibrahimaj: €250 Million Fund Available for Businesses

Following the government meeting this Wednesday, Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj announced that the “Double Your Enterprise” program will officially launch on July 1. According to Ibrahimaj, the program will provide financing to businesses at interest rates ranging from 2% to 3%, supported by a €250 million fund made available to enterprises …

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PM Rama: “The Time When People Were Threatened with Prison in the Streets Is Long Behind Us”

During his press conference with the media, Prime Minister Edi Rama was asked whether he would ever find himself in a situation where he had to choose between resignation and prison, a question raised in the context of the recent protests. Rama responded by saying that he is proud to have led …

News
Albania Becomes the Second Most Expensive Country in the Balkans for Daily Rentals

The growing influx of foreign visitors to Albania, initially attracted by its affordable accommodation prices, is now contributing to rising costs, particularly in the short-term rental market. As a result, Albania has become the second most expensive country in the Balkans for daily rentals, behind only Montenegro. AirDNA, an analytics …

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Haxhiu Meets Costa: Kosovo’s Path to the EU Is a Strategic National Interest

Kosovo’s Acting President, Albulena Haxhiu, stated that the country’s path toward the European Union is a strategic national interest. She made these remarks during a meeting in Pristina with the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa. According to Haxhiu, their discussions covered a range of issues, including the EU Growth Plan for the Western …

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Albania’s Zvernec Revolt

A luxury resort project linked to Jared Kushner has ignited nationwide protests now demanding the government’s resignation. Tirana Times, June 03, 2026 – A luxury tourism project linked to Jared Kushner has turned a local land dispute on Albania’s southern coast into a national political crisis, triggering mass protests that …

News
Albanian Protests Mount Against Kushner-Linked Luxury Resort

Protests intensify against planned upscale resort in protected area, linked to Trump’s son-in-law – which Prime Minister Edi Rama has strongly defended. Original post Here

News

“Vlora Airport Will Be Built and Become Operational” – Karakaçi: Companies Given 30 Days to Resolve Their Dispute

The Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Enena Karakaçi, stated to the media following the government meeting that the ministry has given the contracting companies responsible for the construction of Vlora International Airport a 30-day deadline to resolve their commercial dispute. Karakaçi emphasized that Vlora Airport will be completed and become operational according to …

News

Rama on Zvërnec: Luxury Resorts Bring High Revenue to the Country, the Project Will Not Be Cancelled

Following the government meeting this Wednesday, Prime Minister Edi Rama addressed the media, also commenting on the construction of the resort in Zvërnec. Rama stated that resorts are among the main drivers of a country’s economic development and that he will not cancel the project. “I have to deal with people who say, …

News

“Property’s Origin Is Now in SPAK’s Hands” – Rama on Zvërnec: This Will Put an End to Any Speculation That Project Is Not Based on the Law

Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke at a press conference regarding the construction project in the Zvërnec area, following the protests that have taken place there. Rama described the land purchase transaction as a positive development and stressed that anyone claiming ownership of the property will be subject to investigation. “What I want to talk …

News

Albanian Book Fair Comes to North Macedonia: 55 Publishers from the Region Gather in Skopje for the First Time

Thousands of book titles, dozens of publishers, and four days dedicated to Albanian-language literature. For the first time, Skopje will host the Albanian Book Fair 2026, an event aimed at bringing together publishers and book lovers from North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Albania. From June 4 to June 7, Skanderbeg Square will be transformed into a hub for the …

News

“Double Your Enterprise” Program Launches on July 1, Says Ibrahimaj: €250 Million Fund Available for Businesses

Following the government meeting this Wednesday, Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj announced that the “Double Your Enterprise” program will officially launch on July 1. According to Ibrahimaj, the program will provide financing to businesses at interest rates ranging from 2% to 3%, supported by a €250 million fund made available to enterprises …

News

PM Rama: “The Time When People Were Threatened with Prison in the Streets Is Long Behind Us”

During his press conference with the media, Prime Minister Edi Rama was asked whether he would ever find himself in a situation where he had to choose between resignation and prison, a question raised in the context of the recent protests. Rama responded by saying that he is proud to have led …

News

Albania Becomes the Second Most Expensive Country in the Balkans for Daily Rentals

The growing influx of foreign visitors to Albania, initially attracted by its affordable accommodation prices, is now contributing to rising costs, particularly in the short-term rental market. As a result, Albania has become the second most expensive country in the Balkans for daily rentals, behind only Montenegro. AirDNA, an analytics …

News

Haxhiu Meets Costa: Kosovo’s Path to the EU Is a Strategic National Interest

Kosovo’s Acting President, Albulena Haxhiu, stated that the country’s path toward the European Union is a strategic national interest. She made these remarks during a meeting in Pristina with the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa. According to Haxhiu, their discussions covered a range of issues, including the EU Growth Plan for the Western …

News

Albania’s Zvernec Revolt

A luxury resort project linked to Jared Kushner has ignited nationwide protests now demanding the government’s resignation. Tirana Times, June 03, 2026 – A luxury tourism project linked to Jared Kushner has turned a local land dispute on Albania’s southern coast into a national political crisis, triggering mass protests that …

News

Albanian Protests Mount Against Kushner-Linked Luxury Resort

Protests intensify against planned upscale resort in protected area, linked to Trump’s son-in-law – which Prime Minister Edi Rama has strongly defended. Original post Here