“This is another step forward in our mutual recognition, bonds, exchange of ideas and experience,” says Albanian Culture Minister Kumbaro
TIRANA, Feb. 18 – Exhibitions, singing, film and theatre festivals, arts and cultural heritage conferences are some of the events scheduled in the first joint programme of events Albania and Kosovo will be holding in the next four years. The announcement of the calendar of events came after the signing of a deal intensifying cooperation in culture and arts between the two countries.
“This is another step forward in our mutual recognition, bonds, exchange of ideas and experience. We are here not only for statements but a common cultural project for our action our public, art people,” said Albanian Culture Minister Mirela Kumbaro at a press conference last week.
Her Kosovo counterpart Memli Krasniqi described the deal as a new era for the two countries which belong to one nation.
“Our cultural cooperation is of crucial importance, with the special engagement of our two Prime-Ministers. The joint meeting of our two governments was a historical step, whereby, also other steps in different fields of cooperation, besides culture, are materialized,” said Krasniqi.
The deal follows the first ever joint meeting of the Albanian and Kosovo government in the neighbouring town of Prizren in Kosovo last January.
An exhibition featuring some rare pictures from the rich collection of the Marubi collection is the first event being featured as part of the deal. Pictures from the golden age of Albanian photography, part of the Marubi dynasty, are being shown at the National Arts Gallery in Kosovo as part of celebrations commemorating Kosovo’s sixth anniversary of independence.
The programme of events for 2014 foresees the screening of old films, the publication of the full work of Arberesh writer, renaissance poet Jeronim de Rada and the anthology of Albanian poetry of the 20th century. The Dokufest international documentary and short film festival held annually in Prizren, Kosovo, is also part of the programme.
The Albanian and Kosovo ballet and opera houses will also engage in joint performances.
Kosovo painter Simon Shiroka is also scheduled to hold an exhibition at the National Arts Gallery in Tirana while the Albanian socialist realism art is also expected to showcase in an exhibition in Prishtina.
The 2014 programme of events will conclude with a joint premiere of the Albanian and Kosovo national theatres.
