TIRANA, May 28 – Albanian art and culture are being promoted for the second year in a row in London through the Albanian-British culture week.
An exhibition paying tribute to English painter Edward Lear, famous for his travels through Albania and Macedonia in the 19th century and several book promotions will be the highlight’s of this year’s events which are taking place from May 28 to June 4.
“Edward Lear’s paintings of Albania embody observations of a beautiful and unknown land. They offer a unique and romantic insight into the Albania of middle 19th century, a wild yet captivating corner of Europe. Lear’s paintings and drawings influenced the Albanian romantic art of the time and have as such been interesting and inspiring to the artist,” says the 12 Star London gallery where the exhibition by Albanian painter Bashkim Izano is being displayed.
Last November, internationally renowned Albanian soprano and pianist Genc Tukiçi were this year’s special guests of the “Notes on Albania” festival celebrating Albanian art and culture in London. The concert at Kings Place also featured the British composer Roxanna Panufnik who presented her stunning Albanian folk-inspired piece Autumn in Albania, rising artists from the UK such as Mariela Cingo, Eljon Vejsiu, Melina Karagianni and prize-winning novelist Robert Wilton.
“Cultural diplomacy and introducing Albania through art and culture are the goal and the main means of promoting our homeland today,” says the Albanian embassy in the UK.
