Skampa theatre reopens after fire

TIRANA, Feb. 23 – Six months after a fire burned down the majority of the interior of Skampa theatre, the most important cultural institution in the central Albanian city of Elbasan, the theatre has been fully reconstructed and restored to an even better condition, becoming one of the most modern in the country. The reconstructed theatre was inaugurated this week in gala event which brought together renowned actors and artists. The theatre was reconstructed by Sigal Uniqa Group Austria where it had fortunately been insured and the Elbasan municipality.
The theatre with a capacity of 270 people has now been equipped with new comfortable seats, a modern stage, new lighting and audio systems, making it perfect for cultural events scheduled as part of the 100th anniversary independence. The 80-year old theatre was accidentally burned in August 2011, when a fire broke out after two people were carrying out welding works in a hotel just behind it. Fortunately the theatre’s archive and its costumes were saved. The 13th edition of the Skampa contemporary international festival, initially scheduled for October 2011 was held later in December in open air premises. The building was one of the special cultural objects of national heritage of Albania. In this object, built about 80 years ago, hundreds of plays, of Albanian and worldwide repertoire, were put on stage.
“This building reflects the Skampa professional theater history, the artists of this theater who gave the name and received praise from it. For 13 years the theatre served as the venue of the International Theatre Festival, which has been one of the most important theater events in Albania and the region. The stage of this theater has been well-known for its special architectural and acoustic qualities not only in Albania but in all region,” theatre representatives said after its burning.