EU Delegation Launches Europe Week 2026, bringing over 55 cultural events across Albania

EU Delegation Launches Europe Week 2026, bringing over 55 cultural events across Albania

The European Union Delegation to Albania today launched the programme of Europe Week 2026 in Tirana, in the presence of EU Member States Ambassadors, Albanian authorities, international partners and artists.

From 9 to 22 May, Europe Week 2026 will present a dynamic programme of more than 55 cultural events across six Albanian cities: Tirana, Shkodra, Korça, Patos, Fier and Elbasan. Through theatre, exhibitions, dance, music and public discussions, this year's edition will create an open platform for artistic expression, dialogue and exchange.

"By supporting Albania and other candidate countries on their path towards membership, Europe invests in a more secure and united future for our entire continent. Enlargement, as I said many times, is a whole-of-society project and everyone, government, opposition, civil society, business community, ordinary citizens, has a role to play in it.

Last year, dear friends, we established a space to create during Europe Week. This year, we transformed this place into an open space, supporting artistic freedom and reinforcing the role of culture in public life. From the 9th to the 22nd of May, Europe Week 2026 will present a dynamic program of more than 55 cultural events across six Albanian cities, Tirana, Shkodra, Korça, Patos, Fir and Elbasan. I hope to see many of you in this open space, where art is a vehicle for reflection, empathy and engagement on our shared values", said Silvio Gonzato, EU ambassador to Albania.

Building on the concept of "a space to create" introduced in 2025, this year's edition will continue to support artistic freedom and reinforce the role of culture in public life. The programme will bring together emerging and established artists, offering new perspectives and narratives that engage with contemporary social issues.

Following an open call that received over 267 applications, 10 performances have been selected. These works span multiple disciplines and will explore themes such as inequality, migration, mental health, identity and social structures through performances, exhibitions and cross-disciplinary interventions.

The selected artistic performances:
1-Anila Balla "A diploma for ordinary people" - theatre.
2-Mariana Kostandini, Orestia Kapedani, Olsi Hoxha, "The Geography of Care" - group exhibition.
3- Alban Hajdinaj, Haveit collective, Lori Lako, Redina Qose, Valentina Koca, Francesco Scasciamacchia "Shadows on the Wall of Time"- cross-disciplinary.
4- Jolin Matraku, Lea Tabaku "The game is rigged" - immersive art exhibition
5- Nea Tandini "Ugly, Deformed, Insecure and Depressed" - art lecture and music performance.
6- Eda Zari, Rhani Krija, Teufik Bashi, Enkelejda Elbasani, Ergys Shehu "Terminal: Vini Re, Vini Re!" - cross-disciplinary.
7- Klaudja Piroli, "intimacies/TICTD" - cross disciplinary.
8- Donika Cino, Diego Zelka, Gerta Xhaferaj "Sight and Sound" - cross disciplinary exhibition.
9- Elsa Demo, Flobensa Bezati "The man who felt everything" - theatre.
10- Blenard Azizaj, Elena Cattardico "NO-W-HERE" - dance performance.

Events will take place in a wide range of cultural venues and public spaces, including theatres, art centres, museums and open-air locations, expanding access to culture and encouraging community participation across the country. All events are free of charge and open to the public.

Europe Week 2026 is organised by the European Union Delegation to Albania, reaffirming its commitment to openness, inclusivity and sustained cultural dialogue. The programme will foster connections between artists and audiences, using art as a tool to encourage reflection, empathy and engagement with Europe's shared values.

Here you can find the full programme: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18aPPEi7vp/