Let me begin by skipping flag day, since it seemed that it was for the most part skipped in Tirana. As for the White Night, congratulations to the few who like ETC and SkyTower actually tried to light up the night, and to the many people who came out to walk the Boulevard and see nothing but groups of police officers. I had eagerly anticipated an exciting night, not necessarily to the extent as in cities like Paris, Toronto or Campidoglio , but a certainly a night to remember. I will of course remember this night, however it will stand out as another failed event that wasted tax-payers money and time. From 22:00-23:30 I walked the boulevard and traversed the Block in search of something, and found only a small stage in the Block with a rock band playing some tunes.. The boulevard was crowded, but the lights were missing, and so was the entertainment. It was so dull in fact I stopped to ask an officer to direct me to the White Night events, and he replied, “you’re there!”..
The National Gallery and the National Cultural Centre had no lights at all, very few private businesses added lights to their d꤯r and Skanderbeg Square was almost deserted. Shameful really. When I got home, I tried to check the website to see where I went wrong, but of course, there is no website. Even on the municipality’s website, there’s nothing but some old pictures of White Night in the Mayor’s office – from 2005. The White Night, was in fact a darker night than normal, since traffic was not allowed on the Boulevard. I guess I will have to wait for the next election campaign to see a real “White Night”, or maybe I’ll just stay home the next time.
Kevin Tummers
Ekphrasis Studio
Arts Management and Creative Industries
