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Performing arts  The performing art in Albania are also known as “scenic/stage” or “interpretive” arts. From 1960-1996 “The People's Artist” was an honorary title for outstanding art performers, created "in order to encourage the creativity of artists for the further development of our art by creating works of high artistic value, which reflect the heroic past of our people, its historic victories, its glorious work in building socialism as well as helping the communist education of the working masses", affirmed by Law Nr. 3171, Dated 26.10.1960. The Merited Artist was a second-level award. Neither were awarded after 1991, but replaced in 1996 with... read more →

Archives and libraries  The Albano-Balcanological collection of the Albanian Literature Commission began as a joint Albanian and Austrian institution established in Shkodra in 1917102. The National Library in Tirana was the country’s first public and non-religious state institution, founded in 1920. After WWII, public libraries opened in smaller urban centres. The first documented effort to create a Central Archive is the decision dated 02.01.1932 of the High State Council, to review the draft-regulation for the registration of important events.   Private collections from this period103 and earlier were mostly destroyed by circumstances or confiscated by the government by 1950.   In 1947, the Documentary Archive of the... read more →

Cultural sustainability  In 2020, there were 19,004 individuals employed in a cultural activity or occupation, representing 1.5% of total employment. Nearly 57% of those were male, and the number of females employed in the field is increasing. While young people aged 15-29 account for only 21.9% of total employment in the country, their share of employment in culture is higher, at 34.0% in 2020.  In 2020, public expenditures in this field are 6,842 million ALL. These expenditures account for 1.3 % of total public expenditures for 2020 and account for 0.4 % of total GDP. Compared to 2019, public expenditures... read more →

Disability  In February 2013, Albania ratified the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. Article 30 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) provides that State Parties recognize the right of persons with disabilities to participate in equal terms with others in cultural life.  The Constitution of the Republic of Albania states:  Article 18: All are equal before the law. No one shall be unjustly discriminated against for reasons such as gender, race, religion, ethnicity, language, political, religious or philosophical beliefs, economic, educational, social or parental affiliation. Article 18 guarantees this right also for persons with disabilities who,... read more →

National / international intercultural dialogue  Through the arts, religion, academia, diaspora, tourism, government events, embassies and civil society, Albania has invested increasingly in diverse intercultural dialogue, beginning with the change of the political regime in 1990. There are ongoing regional Balkan youth initiatives on reconciliation and collaboration using intercultural learning and non-violent communication approaches.   2008 was the European Union Designated Year for Intercultural Dialogue. A 2009 National Strategy on Intercultural, Interfaith and Interethnic Dialogue62 was prepared, following up on Albania’s membership in the Group of Friends to the Alliance of Civilizations and the recommendations by the High-Level Group of the General Secretary of the UN in... read more →

Role of artists and cultural professionals  Albania has ratified international conventions affirming the importance of arts and culture (UNESCO, European Council, etc.) and has updated national policies of inclusion, diversity, etc. Cultural professionals and artists have essential roles in exemplifying and improving these standards. This also includes striving to create better conditions, opportunities, encouraging talent, addressing inequalities, and increasing the visibility of arts and culture locally and internationally.  

Digital policy and developments  Mass digital broadcasting began with the approval of Prime Ministerial Order No 7 of 2.06.2009 "On the establishment of an ad hoc Committee for the switchover from analogue to digital broadcasting”. This was followed by the approval of the transition strategy by the Council of Ministers Decision Nr. 292/2012 “On approval of a strategy of transition from analogue to digital broadcasting”. Law nr. 97/2013 “On audiovisual media in the Republic of Albania” was approved in March 2013, with Article 136 covering the full transition to digital broadcasting. The entire television sector has now been switched over to digital TV.   Digital technology in education was covered in the National... read more →

Cultural rights and ethics  The basic framework of cultural rights and ethics in Albania is the Constitution (see 4.1.1). Albania has signed the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions but has not signed the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages.   

Culture and civil society  While just eight cultural organizations were recorded in the 1998 catalogue of the Albanian Foundation of Civil Society, things have vastly grown and cultural organizations today range from performance, education, advocacy, activism, conservation, policy development and more. Funding has always been a concern and while grants and other financing are available, the most successful organizations often have a business element like a bar/cafe to support activities. Other organizations are known to be politically affiliated but, nonetheless, continue to provide cultural opportunities to audiences. Civil Society has benefited from numerous European grants to qualified organizations.  National Conference of... read more →

Out-of-school arts and cultural education  Multi-arts centres had offered art classes until 1991 and amateur arts ensembles among working collectives and schools of all levels were common. Since the 2000’s new cultural, multi-disciplinary centres emerged and some parents were able to pay for private lessons for their children, often in music, painting or dance.  Most of the cultural centres are located in Tirana. Also in Tirana, The Italian Institute of Culture, the British Council, the Alliance Française, the Goethe Institute and USIS have opened reading rooms.  Folk groups are active in all Albanian towns and several music associations have been established.... read more →