TIRANA, May 19 – A group of Albanian artists, supported by citizens of Tirana, continue to protest every day near the National Theater’s historic building, in an attempt to protect it from the government’s planned demolition.
“We expect the National Theater to begin restoration, but there is no possibility for this unless this government resigns. If this government regains political or local confidence, the theater risks a lot because they have made up their the mind to demolish it. All of us coming to the Theater Square know very well that if this government does not fall, or change, or a caretaker government doesn’t get established, I do not know, the national theater will always be at risk,” said Robert Budina, a renowned filmmaker and co-organizer of the protest.
The government and the municipality have made plans for high-rise buildings and a new theater in that area and have abandoned the historic building, where for 80 years all the institutions of Albanian culture were born and where the best Albanian artists acted many parts of international and domestic dramaturgy.
The artists also restored at the building’s entrance the NT letters, which the municipal workers removed at night.
American professor Lori Amy was there with the citizens during the letter placement.
“It was a beautiful and magical moment. It was a concrete restoration and that night we saw a group of great spirits telling us that we can and that we will revive our country. The age variety was also important that night; grandparents and grandchildren, young and middle-aged, came from every sector of the Albanian population and participated in the restoration of letters. It has never been and will never be a political issue. From the very beginning, many people with very different political attitudes are participating in the defense of the National Theater to show that we can resume our country,” Amy said.
Albanian artists are occasionally visited by artists and scholars from Italy, Greece, Switzerland, Belgium, Britain and other countries. This weekend they met with 11 researchers from the US.
“Our group has come from Rollins College, Orlando Florida. We came here to study Albanian culture for two weeks, traveling across different regions of Albania, to learn how Albanian culture has survived various events over the years and centuries. The spirit of the people; this is being admired and studied,” said Jonathan H. Harwell of Rollins College, Florida.
“Here we meet with groups from universities, academics, writers, directors and actors, and we are learning a lot about Albania, its culture and history. Here we also heard about the protest of artists defending the National Theater. Albania is a beautiful country, people are nice and friendly, they have an interesting history as people and we are still learning a lot about it,” said Margaret McLaren of Rollins College in Florida.
When American scholars leave, Albanian artists continue the protest, determined to hinder plans for the demolition of the National Theater, knowing well that the Rama government and the municipality are equally determined to do so, and that local elections in June also depend on the existence of the most famous cultural center of Albania.
