1. Cultural policy system
Albania
Last update: January, 2022
Antiquity
Albania’s heritage is rich and diverse from Paleolithic and Mesolithic traces to Neolithic dwellings and burial sites such as a farming settlement preserved beneath Lake Ohrid that was recently carbon dated as being 8,000 years old[1]. There are larger remains from the antiquity of the Illyrian tribes and the first Illyrian state of King Syrra in the 5th century BC. Aristotle (384-322 BC) mentioned that Epidamnus (Durres) was run by a magistrate, while tradesmen and craftsmen were excluded from political power, and individual trading with the local Illyrians was forbidden. Illyrian traditions and pagan cult rituals related to the Moon, Sun, Snakes, Fairies, Vidas- God of livestock, Iris- Goddess of Agriculture, Tana- Goddess of Birth, Tades- God of Light, Meduar- God of War, Shurdhi- God of Thunder, and others for which later sanctuaries were built and Priests would preach the morals and politics of the state and society of the time[2]. The diversity of Albania’s heritage includes cultural exchanges with the Greeks, Romans, Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman Empires, and many others.
Byzantine and Ottoman
Throughout history, numerous foreign occupiers seized control of Albanian territory, including Byzantine, Bulgarian, Serbian, Angevin, Venetian, Sicilian and more. In many cases the new rulers weakened or destroyed the previous rulers’ cultural influences. Christianity remained the main religion during this period, and foreign commerce led to prosperity and the development of arts and education, while various foreign languages were used in literature, administration and religion. Out of these periods of foreign rule grew a western style feudalism that led to a sort of state union amongst Albanian clans working together against the imminent Ottoman advancement.
Very briefly, after a period of Albanian unity and resistance from Ottoman invasions in the 14th-15th century, the next centuries marked a period of Islamification in Albania. The Empire was more concerned about taxes being paid and less about cultural assimilation. Compared to western nations of the time, the Ottoman Empire took a more tolerant approach to diversity and differences. This allowed Albanians and others to preserve their language and much of their traditions and culture, although non-Muslims did not always receive the same political rights or career opportunities as Muslims, leading much of Albania to convert to Islam. This period saw the construction of today’s UNESCO recognized heritage sites of Gjirokastra and Berat and other important religious and military structures.
Independence
After centuries under the Ottoman administration, the modern Albanian state began its rise to independence through the Albanian National Renaissance movement emphasizing the importance of Albanian language and history. These early efforts of Albanian nationalism emerged in the 1820s-40s in part by Albanians publishing from abroad and emphasizing an Albanian consciousness with a European culture and identity. This evolved into revolts and political movements and would become a key factor in the declaration of independence from the Ottoman Empire and the establishment of the first Albanian government in 1912[3]. The early government did not have a Culture Ministry but education was given a priority for the following years until the first Minister of Education and Culture was named in 1953.
Monarchy
During World Wars and occupations, the country had unstable governance yet most, including King Zog’s government, tried to modernize the society and emancipate women. The first National Library opened in 1922 and King Zog’s government destroyed several mosques to open the way for infrastructure developments. By 1932, Miss Tirana and Miss Albania competitions and the first artisan exhibition took place, and a new law in 1937 made it a punishable offence for women to conceal their faces.
Communism
In 1941, the Communist Party of Albania was established, renamed in 1948 as the Labour Party, and it formed the government of the People's Socialist Republic of Albania which led the country from 1945 until 1992. During this time, the socialist realism dominated, promoting working women and men. Building of the new country began with cultural monuments to the war heroes, the establishment of the first Albanian Art School in 1946, National Arts Gallery in 1954, National Opera and Ballet in 1953, University of Tirana in 1957, and so on.
A proclamation of national atheism in 1967 outlawed and destroyed religious objects, especially those that were part of the public domain. “Albanianism” was the new religion. Until 1968, Albania was in line with Russian arts and culture visual representations until it left the Warsaw pact, and was aligned mainly with China in promoting the “New Men and Women” including examples of Chinese pioneers, proud villagers and intellectuals as testimony of their alliance.
The film industry, as well as monuments to remember war heroes, flourished. Artistic freedom, however, was kept within the confines of what was deemed acceptable by the party, often with guidance from its leader Enver Hoxha. Works could be rejected and destroyed, and artists punished by imprisonment, forced labour or worse.
From 1971-1976, the Labour Party conducted their 5th five-year plan and documents from the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Council of Ministers contained wording like “reduced creative authorship of writers and artists” and “reduced schedules and creative permissions for writers and artists”.
A series of monumental sculptures were installed in the city in the 1970s representing wars and heroes. The female representation was of a strong woman celebrating socialism, the party, the revolution, planting trees, strongly reflecting the party’s ideals.
The 11th Festival of Songs in 1972 featured modern elements that were not accepted by the political leader, and in 1973 at the Assembly of the Labour Party, Hoxha stated that the country should deepen the ideological war against foreign influences and the liberal attitude towards them, leading to clashes, and a new shift in censorship from the Party’s Committee, the Ministry of Education and Culture, and the League of Artists and Writers. Any form of artistic freedom at this point disappeared and unaccepted works were considered “bourgeois-revisionary”. A series of purges punished many artists and organizers of the 11th Festival of Songs that were deemed too western or decadent, or those who did not keep in line with current standards. A 1974 speech from Enver Hoxha entitled “Writers and Artists are Aids of the Party for the Communist Education of our Men and Women” included the line “They [artists and writers] should struggle to always play the role of auxiliary of the party in moulding the new man”.
Law Nr. 5506, date 28.12.1976 / Constitution of the People's Socialist Republic of Albania, Article 35 “the state protects people’s cultural heritage and develops the national social culture...the state supports development of socialist realism art that represents socialism and communism ideals and national and folk elements”; and Article 37 “The state does not recognize any religions and it supports and develops the atheist propaganda to ground the people in the understanding of scientific material.”
Deteriorating relations with China by 1978 had led Albania to effectively cut all ties abroad leaving society with little to no foreign influence and a cultural policy of “Albanian Values” was in full effect with a focus on folk culture. The new constitution of 1978 classified duties to society as of greater importance than freedom of speech. Hoxha proclaimed “literature and arts should be increasingly more militant, pure and clear, free from any alien, liberal and conservative influence, so that they will worthily respond to the revolutionary reality of our times, as well as to the spiritual requirements of our people”. The strategy was to have art that was clear, and that could communicate without vulgarities, and encouraged the emergence of heroes from a struggle, who everyone could emulate. This was and had long been used to create a shared experience for all Albanians, an Albanian mindset free of influences from abroad.
The rise for Democracy
After Hoxha’s death, the new leader Ramiz Alia in 1989 acknowledged that changes were necessary for the economic system, and this was followed by student protests in the coming months. On June 13, 1990, the fall of the Berlin Wall and poor economic conditions led to more civil unrest. Individuals, groups and families began storming foreign embassies, beginning a massive series of emigration to European countries and other parts of the world. At the same time, Western culture became widely accessible without any government restrictions and artists were finally free to express themselves in many forms and expressions that had not allowed for about 45 years.
The first democratic elections were held in March, 1991, and the collapse of communist ideology was replaced by the market economy and consumption. Even though the new Constitution was not approved until 1998, changes were made to invalidate the previous one from 1976, which had banned religions in the country, allowing groups to revive or introduce new religious institutions. Symbols from the previous communist period, like the star on the national flag and in the mosaic at the National History Museum, were removed. Men were also now free to have long hairstyles, people listened to European and American music, and rock, disco, and every style were closely reproduced based mainly on international films shown on TV stations. Young people embraced jeans, t-shirts of rock, metal and other bands, while politicians wore long jackets, etc. Libraries acquired new materials and information. There was a destruction of the communist heritage, and promotion of democratic values and remembrance of those persecuted by communism.
In 1991, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) was decreed by the new President of the Republic, and its aims were to bring Albanian culture and sport institutions in line with European standards. A new Albanian Constitution was adopted in 1998, which gave clear protections such as article 20 on Freedom of Expression, article 58 on Freedom of Artistic Creation, and chapter 5 on Social Objectives, giving some frameworks on shaping the free new society. Also, although there were many cultural groups and associations throughout Albania, with only eight recorded in the 1998 catalogue of the Albanian Foundation of Civil Society.
Discover & Develop Albania
In 2000, a Guide to the Cultural Policy of the Albanian state was produced by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports (MTCYS) to set new goals for the country, a national cultural policy in Albania based on European standards and models focusing on the promotion of identity and diversity, support of creativity and participation in cultural life. The underlying goal of such a cultural policy was to "bring down the walls that isolated Albania from the rest of the world, especially the West". Culture and the arts, in this sense, are considered to be tools that will help to bring democratic development to the country and re-assert its cultural identity within the region and as an integral part of European cultural identity. According to the document, the implementation of the Strategy will increase the autonomy, competition and multi-dimensional role of arts and culture institutions in the country's civil, democratic and economic life.
A Law on the Organisation and Functions of Local Government was adopted by the Parliament on 31 July 2000. The main principle of this Law was the autonomy of local government, the process of decentralising power unlike before when local governments had little political autonomy and high levels of social and economic responsibility.
After the political government election in 2005, changes were made to the title and functions of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, which resulted in the formation of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports. Tourism was set as a priority to brand, as a way to promote the country, its culture and heritage, and to increase visitors to the country and improve the infrastructure. Following the 2002-2012 Strategy for Tourism Development and the 2006 Strategy and Action Plan for Development of Natural and Environmental Tourism, the Sectoral Strategy for Tourism 2007-2013[4] was prepared. Also a National Youth Strategy and Plan of Action 2007-2013 was approved by the Albanian government on 18 March 2007.
In 2009 the Culture and Heritage for Social and Economic Development (CHSED) Programme was launched in Albania jointly by UNESCO and UNDP, in close partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The programme also worked with the Ministry of Education, the Institute of Cultural Monuments, the National Tourism Agency, local and regional governments, universities and civil society organizations, to support the Government of Albania to leverage the potential of Albania’s cultural heritage. By 2010, the CHSED ‘Culture Marketing Strategy for Albania’[5] was being prepared as a One Year Action Plan and Marketing Tools to help make Albanian culture accessible to target clients abroad and support local stakeholders such as the Ministry for Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports and its subordinate institutions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Tourism Agency and other relevant cultural institutions and destinations. The CHSED also included a ‘Cultural Diplomacy component’, to support the design of a cultural diplomacy policy for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In 2010, an open forum on “Culture Policies and the Culture Strategy of Albania”[6] was organized by the society “Friends of Music” (Miqtë e Muzikës) and supported by SOROS- Open Society Foundation Albania (OSFA) with the participation of representatives from state culture institutions. These institutions include the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports, National Theatre, Opera, National Art Gallery, professionals and civil society. This forum highlighted the importance of such strategic documents, including an action plan, and encouraged the work to progress. However, it was also noted that as Albania did not have a Memorandum of Understanding for Culture with the European Union, Albanian organisations were not able to compete for grants from the General Directory for Education and Culture at the European Commission.
As of 2013, Tourism, Youth and Sports were part of other ministries and the institution was named the Ministry of Culture, which under the development of cultural tourism during the period 2014 – 2018, implemented the programmes "Heritage - Development Engine", "Routes of Faith" and "Routes of Memory."
The commitment towards a strategic document for a National Culture Policy was progressed by the Albanian Ministry of Culture with the support of UNESCO and experts in 2016, emphasizing educational programmes, and later a guiding document was prepared titled “A culture strategy for Albania: Implementing the Cultural Bug[7]” in March 2018 by KEA European Affairs after many consultations with various stakeholders.
Finally, for the first time since 1990, Albania has a National Strategy on Culture[8] (NSC) 2019-2025, which was prepared by the Ministry of Culture, and is the most recent step taken to structure objectives for the development of the sector. The strategic document NSC 2019-2025 is in line with the “Government's major programme implementation for urban regeneration and rural development, as well as sustainable development goals 2030”, addressed to central and local public institutions, independent cultural operators, NGOs, the private sector and other actors operating in the field of culture and cultural heritage. Strengthening the cultural sector continues to be one of the objectives of the midterm and long-term governance plans 2017-2021.
[1] https://exploproject.eu/news/underwater-investigations-at-lin-3-lake-ohrid-albania/
[2] Public Arts Tirana, Artistic Expressions of Past and Present, Blerina Berberi & Kevin Tummers, 2018 https://www.academia.edu/38120149/Public_Arts_Tirana_Artistic_Expressions_of_Past_and_Present
[3] History of the Albanian Governments, ShtetiWeb, Albania https://shtetiweb.org/category/historia-e-shtetit-shqiptar2/qeverite-e-shtetit-shqiptar/page/5/
[4] Sectoral Tourism Strategy 2007-2013, Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports https://vdocuments.net/strategjia-sektoriale-e-turizmit-2007-2013.html
[5] Culture Marketing Strategy for Albania 2010. http://www.undp.org/content/dam/albania/docs/Final%20CULTURE%20MARKETING%20STRATEGY-July1.pdf
[6] Policies and Culture Strategy, Gazeta Metropol Newspaper, May 13, 2010 http://www.arkivalajmeve.com/Politikat-dhe-strategjia-e-kultures.1046865760/
[7] A Cultural Strategy for Albania, Implanting the Cultural Bug, March 2018, Philippe Kern, KEA European Affairs, https://rm.coe.int/a-cultural-strategy-for-albania-implanting-the-cultural-bug/1680794665
[8] National Strategy for Culture 2019-2025, page 5, Albanian Ministry of Culture, 2019, http://kultura.gov.al/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/finale-Strategjia-Kombe%CC%88tare-pe%CC%88r-Kulture%CC%88n-2019-2025-ne-Anglisht.pdf
Last update: January, 2022
| Levels of public cultural policy (structures, competencies) | National Government level | Districts | Municipal level |
| Bodies/ Institutions and self-coordination procedures | The Albanian Parliament- Commission of Culture and Media Council of Ministers Ministry of Culture and subordinate institutions Ministry of Foreign Affair Ministry of Diaspora Ministry of Tourism Ministry for the Protection of Entrepreneurship National Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) Ministry of Education and Sports Ministry of Youth and Children Ministry of Finance[1] Authority of Audiovisual Media (AMA) Academy of Albanological Studies and Research Institutes Albanian Academy of Sciences Academy of Anthropological Studies, National Chamber of Craft Albanian Investment Development Agency (AIDA) | 12 Counties with Representative and Executive Council: Berat, Dibër, Durrës, Elbasan, Fier, Gjirokastër, Korçë, Kukës, Lezhë, Shkodër, Tirana, Vlorë | 61 Municipalities & 381 Administrative Units[2] Municipal Councils for Culture, Culture Departments for Events and Promotion, Rural Councillors, Neighbourhood administrators |
| Competencies | Legislation for Taxation, laws in arts, copyrights, creative industries, pensions, statuses, Strategic Development, Education, Funding, Culture Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs, Research and Statistics | Law Nr. 139/2015 for local governance[3] to set and implement regional policies, their harmonisation with state policies, and other functions as given by law | Law Nr. 139/2015 for local governance[4] to create administrative structures, boards, public management of public assets, Administration Libraries & Culture spaces, Funding for activities and infrastructure, Strategic planning and Policies, Regulations, permits for activities, etc. |
| Joint institutions and cooperative arrangements | Inter-ministerial, inter- country cooperation, agreements and funding, i.e: Regional Cooperation Council, South East European Council, Cultural Agreement with several countries, etc. | Society of the Councillors of the Districts of Albania. Development programmes with support from Austrian Development Cooperation, Albanian Development Fund, Co-Plan Institute for Habitat Development, Albanian Investment Development Agency (AIDA) etc. | Association of Municipalities of Albania, European Capital of Culture programme eligibility, NALAS- Society of Local Authorities in South East Europe, Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe and more[5] |
| (Co) ownership and Funding of cultural activities, facilities, programmes | Funding and co-funding of culture institutions, national and international activities, Development programmes, civil society organisations, businesses, etc. | Co-funding of cultural activities, research programmes | Funding and co-funding of community, national and international events, administrative cultural buildings, culture programmes, civil society and businesses. |
[1] Ministers of the Albanian Government, The Primeministry, September 2021, https://kryeministria.al/en/
[2] Organisation of Local Self-Governing Units, Local Portal, Albania https://portavendore.al/dhomaeligjit/planimetri-vendore/organizimi-i-njesive-te-vv/
[3] Ligi Nr. 139-2015, date 17 December 2015 for Local Governance https://www.erru.al/doc/Ligj_nr.139-2015_date_17.12.2015_Per_vetqeverisjen_vendore.pdf
[4] Ligi Nr. 139-2015, date 17 December 2015 for Local Governance https://www.erru.al/doc/Ligj_nr.139-2015_date_17.12.2015_Per_vetqeverisjen_vendore.pdf
[5] Partners of Society of Albanian Municipalities https://aam.org.al/partneret-2/
Last update: January, 2022
National authorities
See also 1.2.1 for Organisational Organigram
The Albanian Parliament- Commission of Culture and Media
Council of Ministers
Ministry of Culture and subordinate institutions*
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Diaspora
Ministry of Tourism
Ministry for the Protection of Entrepreneurship
National Institute of Statistics (INSTAT)
Ministry of Education and Sports
Ministry of Youth and Children
Ministry of Finance21
Authority of Audiovisual Media (AMA)
Academy of Albanological Studies and Research Institutes
Albanian Academy of Sciences
Academy of Anthropological Studies
National Chamber of Crafts
Albanian Investment Development Agency (AIDA)
The main role in cultural development closest to the public and the creative sector is the Albanian Ministry of Culture. It’s organigram has adapted to the needs in the sector and currently includes a General Directory for Development of Policies and Culture, including sectors on statistics, visibility, programme development, etc.; a General Directory for Regulations with sectors work for laws, regulatory acts, contracts, agreements, etc; a Directory of Authors’ Rights, etc.22
The Subordinate Public Institutions23of the Ministry of Culture are:
- National Theatre of Opera, Ballet and Folk Ensemble: www.tkob.gov.al
- National Theatre www.teatrikombetar.gov.al
- National Experimental Theatre “Kujtim Spahivogli” www.tkeks.gov.al
- National Art Gallery www.galeriakombetare.gov.al (Pursuant to the new law nr. 27/2018 On Cultural Heritage and Museums, it is named the "National Museum of Fine Arts" )
- National Library www.bksh.al
- National Culture Centre for Children www.qkkf.gov.al
- National State Film Archive www.aqshf.gov.al
- National Circus www.cirkukombetar.gov.al
- National Centre for Books and Reading https://qkll.gov.al
- National Centre of Cinematography http://nationalfilmcenter.gov.al/
- National History Museum www.mhk.gov.al
- National Museum of Surveillance “House of Leaves” www.muzeugjethi.gov.al
- National Institute of Cultural Heritage (IKTK) www.iktk.gov.al
- National Parc of Butrint www.butrint.al
- National Museum “Skënderbeu” and Ethnographic Museum, Krujë www.muzeumetkruje.gov.al
- National Iconography and Ethnography Museum, Berat www.muzeumetberat.gov.al
- National Museum of Medieval Art www.muzeumesjetar.gov.al
- National Photography Museum “Marubi” – Shkodër www.marubi.gov.al
- Independence Museum Vlore www.muzeupavaresia.gov.al
- Institute for the Registration of Cultural Heritage www.qkipk.gov.al
- National Centre of Folklore Activities (QKVF) www.qkvfolk.gov.al
- Administration and Coordination Office for the Archaeological Parks of Apoloni and Bylis
- Regional Directory of Cultural Heritage Gjirokastër
- Regional Directory of Cultural Heritage Berat
- Regional Directory of Cultural Heritage Tiranë www.drkkdurres.gov.al
- Regional Directory of Cultural Heritage Shkodër
- Regional Directory of Cultural Heritage Vlorë www.drkkvlore.gov.al
- Regional Directory of Cultural Heritage Korcë www.drkkkorce.gov.al
Last update: January, 2022
Regional authorities
The South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) launched in Sofia, Bulgaria in 1996 with the participation of southeast European countries, 13 participants from the SEE region, for regional cooperation to create trust, stability and good neighbouring relations24. The Charter on Good-Neighbourly Relations, Stability, Security and Cooperation in SEE25, adopted in Bucharest in 2000, represents the essential document of the SEECP.
The EU funded Tourism Development & Promotion Project (EUR 5 million) and RCC implemented Tourism Development & Promotion project works to create joint and internationally competitive cultural and adventure tourism offers in the six Western Balkans (WB6) economies which will attract more tourists to the region, lengthen their stay, increase revenues and contribute to growth and employment. On 6 April 2021, the Tirana Declaration endorsement marked the finalisation of RCC’s Tourism Development and Promotion project26.
The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), an all-inclusive, regionally owned and led cooperation framework with 46 participants, is financed by the European Union and its SEE and other Board participants, and it functions within the framework of the general political guidelines set by the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP). RCC serves regional cooperation and European and Euro-Atlantic integration of South East Europe in order to spark development in the region to the benefit of its people27. Majlinda Bregu, Minister of European Integration of Albania from 2007 to 2013, became Secretary General on 1 January 2019, appointed by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) at a meeting held on 23 April in Brdo pri Kranju, Slovenia.
The Western Balkan Fund, founded by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs from WB6 in 2017, has impacted the lives of 10,000 people and supported 3,400 civil society organisations28 with annual grants up to 250,000 euro in the past four years.
Last update: January, 2022
Local authorities
See 1.2.1 for Organisational Organigram
Last update: January, 2022
Main non-governmental actors
See 1.2.6 and 2.1
National Conference of Civil Society in Albania 2020-Summary Document29
Agency for the Support of Civil Society (AMSHC)30
National Council for Civil Society31
Independent Culture Scene32
Last update: January, 2022
Transversal co-operation
The Albanian National Commission for UNESCO is situated within the Albanian Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, actively cooperating with the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Tourism & Environment, the Ministry of Education, the Institute of Cultural Monuments, the National Tourism Agency, local and regional governments, universities and civil society organizations.
Inter-ministerial coordination for culture is conducted by the Inter-Ministerial Committee for the Implementation of the National Strategy for Culture, for which The Directorate of Cultural Development Policies and Strategies acts as Secretary. Certain issues like heritage see cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, Ministry of Urban Development, the Ministry of Education, and the Police and Customs.
Co-operation examples include a 2016 Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Education and Sport to promote cultural awareness, expression, creativity and diversity, to promote a comprehensive and sustainable cultural education in Albania. Likewise, the Border and Migration Police cooperate with the Ministry of Culture to prevent the illicit trafficking of art and heritage objects.
Following a damaging earthquake in 2019, the government created a new Ministry of Reconstruction stating that “a special place is needed at the Council of Ministers to coordinate the domestic and international institutions". This Ministry coordinates funding distribution for restoration including for cultural heritage sites affected by the earthquake.
Last update: January, 2022
Overview of cultural institutions
In a period of five years, three new museums were established in Albania, the National Museum of Photography "MARUBI", in Shkodra, the National Museum "GJETHI", in Tirana and the Museum "Gjon Mili", in Korca.
The Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, the Minister of State for Diaspora, the Academy of Albanological Studies and Research Institutes, the Albanian Academy of Sciences, the university system, the Academy of Anthropological Studies, the National Chamber of Crafts, INSTAT, etc.
In 2021, a new agency was created, tasked with centralizing all government information and public relations, as well as monitoring interactions with the media and social media33.
Last update: January, 2022
Data on selected public and private cultural institutions
Table 1: Cultural institutions, by sector and domain
| Domain | Cultural Institutions (subdomains) | Public Sector | Private Sector | ||
| Number (year) | Trend last 5 years (In %) | Number (year) | Trend last 5 years (In %) | ||
| Cultural heritage | Regional directories, administration, and coordination under the Ministry of Culture Cultural Monuments | 7 (2021) 2028 | |||
| Archaeological sites (under the Ministry of Culture) | 9 (2020) | ||||
| Museums | Museum institutions (under the Ministry of Culture) | 12 (2020) | |||
| Archives | Archive institutions National Film Archive National Library Central State Archive | 3 | |||
| Visual arts | Public art galleries/exhibition halls (institutions under the Ministry of Culture) National Art Gallery National History Museum | 2 | |||
| Performing arts | Performance and stable spaces for theatre (institutions under the Ministry of Culture) National Experimental Theatre National Opera and Ballet National Puppet Theatre Ar Turbina National Circus | 4 | |||
| Concert Houses | |||||
| Theatre companies | |||||
| Dance and ballet companies | |||||
| Symphonic orchestras | |||||
| Libraries | Libraries National Library in Tirana and other municipal ones | ||||
| Audiovisual | Cinemas | ||||
| Broadcasting organisations | |||||
| Interdisciplinary | Socio-cultural centres / cultural houses | ||||
| Other (please explain) | (institutions under the Ministry of Culture) National Culture Centre for Children National Centre of Folklore Activities (QKVF) | 2 |
Last update: January, 2022
Public cultural institutions: trends and strategies
Heads of Government at the Central European Initiative met in Tirana on 23 November 2006 and approved the Plan of Action for 2007-2009, which includes cultural cooperation. Since 1995, Albania is one of the members of this inter-regional initiative which aims to promote regional cooperation. The key elements of CEI cultural cooperation in the next years will be the development of projects related to intercultural dialogue and the preservation of cultural diversity in Central Europe, as well as the promotion of activities aiming at the conservation of cultural heritage, jointly with the transfer of know-how in cultural management. Additional activities aimed at advancing the ability of governments and civil society as a whole in the preparation, financing and implementation of cultural projects could be implemented, especially in the following areas: support to cultural policies as a contribution to socio-economic development (cultural industries’ development; cultural tourism; sponsorship and donations to the arts), sponsoring cross-border cooperation in the field of arts, including the mobility of individuals and groups.
The Mosaic Programme35 (2010) of the Council of Europe helped in the process of formulating principles for national cultural strategies.
Last update: January, 2022
International cooperation
Albania has a long history of sheltering asylum seekers, also through a concept known as “Besa”, or “keep the promise”. A few examples of this include the sheltering of hundreds of Jews during WWII, hundreds of thousands of Kosovo refugees in 1999 (the city of Kukes was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for this effort), accepting 3,000 members of the People's Mujahideen Organization of Iran in 2014, continuous offers to shelter tens of thousands of Syrian refugees and most recently to serve as a transit nation for Afghan refugees in 2021.
Albania was granted EU Candidate Status in June 2014, and Albanian citizens can travel to 98 countries without an advance Visa, including the Schengen Area. In 2021 Albanians can travel visa-free (or visa on arrival) to 115 countries. While not a visa, Albanians will be required to apply for the new European travel permit ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System), to visit Schengen countries once it is introduced by the end of 2022.
In October 2011, Albania and Qatar signed a cultural cooperation agreement on cooperation, exchange, translation and youth activities. In November 2012, Azerbaijan and Albania signed an agreement to enhance cooperation in the fields of culture and tourism.
On 28 August 2014, on the 100th anniversary of WWI outbreak, the German chancellor Angela Merkel initiated the Berlin Process36, a diplomatic initiative for EU Enlargement, at the “Conference of Western Balkan States”, with the participation of the EU Commission, some EU countries and Six Western Balkan (WB6) countries that are candidates for EU membership - Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, Albania37 and potential candidates, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo. At the conference, a 4 year plan was presented for the path to the future of Europe including intensifying regional cooperation as an essential basis, strengthening good governance, and increasing prosperity via sustainable economic growth. The Berlin Process was followed by annual Summits - 2015 Vienna, 2016 Paris, 2017 Trieste, 2018 London, 2019 Poznań, and November 10, 2020 in Sofia where the plan was agreed to create a Common Regional Market38 , with national authorities taking action by 2024 on the free movement of goods, capital, services and people.
There is no reference to culture, art or heritage in the Berlin Summits, but the Action Plan 2021-202439 coordinated and monitored by the Regional Cooperation Council, refers to, in the section about innovation, “Support the implementation of different actions streaming from the Agenda for the Western Balkans on Innovation, Research, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport which the European Commission is planning to adopt during the first semester of 2021”. The priorities of the Action Plan include: Enhancing the quality of education and training, Boosting human capital development, Reducing the gender and digital divide; Improving mobility and connectivity; and Fostering cultural and regional cooperation40.
ORI- Observatory of Regional Integration41, a platform for collection of empirical data and analysis in the framework of cross-border, transnational and interregional integration of Albania, supported by the AMSHC-Agency for the Support of Civil Society and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (Foundation), has a database of 443 projects since 2006, and the main donors by number of projects are: EU IPA Multibeneficiary: 148; EU IPA CBC: 217; Italy: 25; Germany: 24; Switzerland: 17; Visegrad+: 8; and Sweden: 4. Examples of the biggest initiatives supported through IPA Multi-Beneficiary include Erasmus Mundus and Youth in Action for EUR 12 Mio each per year, same as Civil Society Facility for 2010. In the last 10 years, Albanian partners have cooperated with Montenegro on 257 projects, North Macedonia 237, Croatia 235, Bosnia Herzegnovia 232, Kosovo 184, Italy 126 and Greece 94.
In June 2016, the Programme of Cooperation in the Field of Culture between the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Albania continued for the period 2016-2019 and has been ongoing since 1996.
On July 4, 2016 the WB6 Prime Ministers, at the Summit held in Paris, signed the Agreement on the Establishment of Regional Youth Cooperation Office42 (RYCO) an independently functioning institutional mechanism, aiming to promote the spirit of reconciliation and cooperation between the youth in the region through youth exchange programmes. The RYCO organizes several cultural activities, competitions, and other events, also through open calls, for Youth in WB.
In January 2017, Japan opened an Embassy in Tirana and began offering development assistance grants, loans and technical assistance, as well as small scale cultural exchange.
In February 2017, The Ministry of Culture of Albania, at the third Ministerial Conference "Promotion of Culture for Sustainable Development", signed the first agreement for cultural cooperation with Serbia to support exchange of ideas and policies in art, culture and heritage, in accordance with the standards of the European Union and UNESCO.
Also in February 2017, Albania and Iran signed an agreement to boost exchanges in trade, tourism and culture.
In March 2017, Albania and Macedonia signed an agreement for Cultural Cooperation Programme 2015-2020, including development of joint projects funded by the EU IPA.
In May 2018, a summit gathered the Western Balkans Country Leaders and European Leaders in relation to enlargement policy, which led to the Sofia Declaration43, which aims to also establish connections and opportunities within the region and with the EU to enhance political, stability, economic prosperity, as well as cultural and social development. On November 10, 2020 the leaders of the WB, under the framework of the Berlin Process, acknowledged the European Green Deal as the new growth strategy44. Even though it intends to “Prioritise energy efficiency and improve it in all sectors”, there is no reference to arts and culture, and innovation to energy efficiency such as in events, shows, concerts, etc.
Albania participates in EU programmes including EU4Culture, Creative Europe, I-portunus, Perform EUrope, Interreg IPA (Italy-Montenegro-Albania & Greece-Albania), Council of Europe and others.
Various stakeholders including UNOPS in Albania, the EU and the Government of Albania continue to work on restoration of cultural sites affected by the 2019 earthquake. Some 27 sites are currently part of the EUR 40 million EU4Culture funded interventions.
In June 2018, The Theatre of Opera and Ballet and the Popular Ensemble of Albania signed the protocol of cooperation with the National Theatre in Belgrade in June 201845.
In March 2019, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia agreed to establish Cultural and Information Centres in the Republic of Albania and in the Republic of North Macedonia.
Also in March 2019, an Agreement entered into force between the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Government of the Republic of Albania on cultural cooperation, after being provisionally applied since November 2015.
In October 2019, as part of the 70th anniversary diplomatic ties between China and Albania, The Albanian Radio Television and China's National Radio and Television Administration signed an agreement on the broadcasting of Chinese government television programmes. Within the framework of the agreement, the two institutions will also cooperate on the exchange of television productions, documentaries and cartoons, as well as staff training.
On August 23, 2021, in Tiranë, – The United States and Albania signed a "Bilateral Agreement for Cultural Assets" aimed at preventing the illegal trade of cultural objects between the two countries, in accordance with the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Cultural Wealth.
In July 2021, Albanian and North Macedonian Ministers of Culture signed a joint agreement to preserve Lake Ohrid, at the border between two countries, to work together to preserve the area as a site of natural and cultural significance and a UNESCO site.
In July 2021, a delegation from the International Institute for Cultural Diplomacy in Dubai signed agreements with the Albanian Institute for International studies and Albania’s Interreligious Institute to strengthen relations on interfaith dialogue, knowledge exchange and cultural cooperation.
In March 2021, a cooperation agreement in the fields of art, archaeology, museology and copyright protection was signed between the Ministry of Culture of Albania and Turkey, and also covering other fields of art such as cinematography, publications, translations and cultural exchanges. The two countries have maintained a Cultural Cooperation Agreement since February 1989.
In October 2020, Albania and Kosovo signed two agreements concerning setting up a joint programme between the Kosovar and Albanian Ministries of Culture and to encourage co-productions between Albania and Kosovo.
In March 2021, a project agreement between the governments of Switzerland and Albania was signed by the Albanian Minister of Finance and the Economy with the Swiss Ambassador to improve the system of intellectual property rights in Albania, including processing of patents, public services and inter-institutional collaboration in implementing intellectual property rights. The programme will work with the General Directorate of Industrial Property (under the Ministry of Finance and the Economy) and the Copyright Directorate (under the Ministry of Culture) to improve the administration and use of intellectual property rights.
Also in March 2021, the US Cultural Property Advisory Committee reviewed a request by the Government of Albania seeking US import restrictions on certain archaeological and ethnological material pursuant to Article 9 of the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export, and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property (The 1970 UNESCO Convention), as well as a proposal to extend and amend the cultural property agreement between US and Egypt46.
Public actors and cultural diplomacy
Albania participates in many international cultural activities, including some of the largest such as the Venice Biennale, World Fairs, book fairs, Eurovision song contests and much more.
The diaspora is a major contributor to Albanian cultural diplomacy worldwide through societies, associations and organizations, which exist in most large cities and countries in Europe and North America. Since 2016 the Canadian Province of Ontario has recognized November as Albanian Heritage Month in recognition of Albanians’ contributions to the growth and prosperity of Ontario47. In 2020, an initiative of the Albanian Embassy in Ottawa led to the Niagara Falls in Canada being lit to display the red and black colours of the Albanian Flag on the occasion of the anniversary of Albanian independence in 1912.
The book “National Strategy and Action Plan 2018-2024” was published in 2020, as a summary document of the work done by the institutions responsible for the implementation of the Action Plan of the National Strategy for the Diaspora 2018-2024. It includes quarterly newsletters related to institutional activities in the field of relations with the Albanian diaspora. In 2020 The Council of Ministers approved the National Strategy of the Albanian Diaspora and the Action Plan 2021–202548. The new documents promote the development of state policies for the inclusion and contribution of Albanian communities abroad and to strengthen Albania’s relations with the Diaspora. Strand 3 of 5 focuses on “Diaspora Capital, Community, and Culture Programmes” with aims at engaging the diaspora, promoting “open invitations” for projects within the diaspora to increase human, social and cultural capital, preservation of the cultural, linguistic and national identity, and the establishment of Albanian Cultural Centres in host countries around the world with close cooperation from Kosovo.
The CHSED also included a ‘Cultural Diplomacy component’ in 2010, to support the design of a cultural diplomacy policy for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs49.
Last update: January, 2022
European / international actors and programmes
Albania is part of the Regional Programme for Cultural and Natural Heritage of Southeast Europe (2003)50, a joint programme between the EU and the Council of Europe. It aims to enhance cooperation among nine countries of the region in the area of preservation and rehabilitation of cultural and natural heritage by promoting sustainable development. The programme is composed of 3 Strands (A, B, C) and the Albanian Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sport participates through the Institute of Cultural Monuments in the first two components. Strand A is related to Institutional Capacity Building (ICBP) and is focused on increasing management skills to run projects or design strategies and policies on further development of cultural heritage. Furthermore, Strand B implies the Integrated Rehabilitation of Architectural and Archaeological Heritage (IRPP-SAAH), where the main aim is to fund the rescue of certain archaeological and architectural sites in Albania. This project is a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Commission, through former president Romano Prodi in the framework of CULTURE 2000.
Albania signed the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions on 24 September 2006.
Albania is a full member of the Council of Europe and UNESCO, while, as a candidate country, it has been benefiting from EU programmes. The Ministry of Culture signed the Creative Europe Agreement51 on March 22, 2016 with a maximum amount of the grant contribution to the programme of 48,00.61 euro.
Albania is also a country member of the Francophonie Community, benefiting from direct and indirect support from the French government.
Last update: January, 2022
NGO’s and direct professional cooperation
See also 2.5.1. Sources include:
National Conference of Civil Society in Albania 2020-Summary Document52
Agency for the Support of Civil Society (AMSHC)53
National Council for Civil Society54
Independent Culture Scene55