Berat to host first multicultural festival

The cultural, ethnographic and architectural heritage of Berat in southwestern Albania, known as “the city of 1,001 windows” will be showcased for three days in late August in the first multicultural festival promoting this popular international destination which since 2008 has been a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Renowned cellist Mario Guralumi, who is the organizer of the festival, says the three-day event scheduled for August 21 to 23 will bring dozens of events including performances from the city band, exhibitions of young and veteran painters, contemporary art video projections in the ancient city’s characteristic cobbled neighbourhoods, concerts, movie screenings, handicraft and agri-business trade fairs, cultural heritage conferences and other events involving the local Roma and Egyptian communities.
“The festival is an event targeting to further promote Berat and attract more tourists and art lovers,” Guralumi told local media.
Some of Berat’s local landmarks such as the international Onufri Museum and the ethnographic museum will remain open to visitors until mid-night during the three-day festival.
Internationally renowned Albanian jazz singer Elina Duni and British Bethia Beadman rock ‘n’ roll band are also expected to perform in the festival.