EU poster competition announced winners

TIRANA, July 21 – Anri Haxhi and Ardit Perkeqi have been announced the winners of a poster exhibition named “One step closer to the EU” after Albania was granted EU candidate status last June.
The EU Info Centre jury praised the creativity and originality of the winning posters, as well as the style through which the messages were conveyed.
Presenting the awards to the artists, Clive Rumbold, the Charge d’Affaires of the Delegation of the EU to Albania, said the arts can sometimes be the most effective and efficient way of communicating social and political messages, and building understanding and dialogue between different cultures.”
“Being one step closer to the EU means a lot to Albania, but also a lot to EU institutions. I’m not going to repeat our political messages at this event as I think the posters here contain a strong message of their own. If you look at them carefully you will find vivid colors expressing optimism,” he said.
The competition, launched on the occasion of Albania’s long-awaited EU candidate status, attracted a lot of interest from young artists in Albania, with a total of 36 posters submitted. These were all published on the EUIC’s Facebook page, where the pubic had the chance to vote for their favourite. The top 20 posters were then printed for the exhibition, and will remain on display at the EUIC premises until 31 July.
The European Commission recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Albanian Government, which allows the Albanian public and independent cultural sector to apply for funds under the largest EU culture programme; Creative Europe.