Dear Speaker of the Parliament,

Dear MPs and colleagues,

The inauguration of the National Theater of Opera and Ballet, just one day before the presentation of the main pillars that will guide the work of the Ministry of Culture during this third governing term, was the clearest evidence that not we only keep the promises given, but we also know how to set standards, which have started to be replicated in other institutions of higher importance.

Last night we inaugurated the Albanian Government’s biggest investment in art and culture in the last 30 years, which brought about a radical transformation in a building, in which for 60 years was not seriously invested, despite the efforts and wishes of the directors to somehow improve the conditions of the artists, which I believe you have all seen, were not worthy neither for the artists, nor for the public, nor for an institution, the only one in Albania, that of Opera and Ballet.

This was proof that this Government, in all its mandates, has paid special attention to culture.

An attention that will not remain constant, but that will increase even more with the new projects we are moving forward.

And as part of the governing team, I feel doubly responsible to keep the same pace, even much faster, to bring radical changes not only in what is basic, necessary and urgent, which it is cultural infrastructure, but also in the mindset of not only making art, but also educating a new generation of professionals.

With the same enthusiasm and seriousness, we have started work a long time ago and we will also build the National Center for Children, we will increase the spaces of the National Art Gallery, we will build the new National Theater, the Jewish Museum, the largest Regional Center for Innovation, the Art Park and many, many others.

Parallel with them comes the raising of artistic levels and the financial motivation of artists, who not only have not abandoned this country, but have made art in unusual conditions, giving us the feeling of normality as well then when there was no normality.

The National Theater of Opera and Ballet and the artists who came out of that stage, who have become the best ambassadors of Albanian culture, are the best example of sacrifice and transformation.

-I-

Dear,

During the last two years we have gone through extraordinary situations. We are faced with a devastating earthquake and a pandemic that has brought the entire globe to its knees. And yet we did not stop working, but on the other hand we reflected and reviewed ourselves, reassessed our priorities and projects. Now the world is not the same anymore.. but still the culture has to go and it has to be accessed by everyone, at any time. Therefore, our approach to art and culture should be more contemporary and with a special focus on children and the younger generation.

It is neither random nor a matter of numbers or caprice that this government has so many women ministers. The male colleagues lack nothing, it is not only their responsibility to carry out every task, but also the sensitivity related to motherhood and caring for children, which fits the vision of an Albania that sees the future in the new generation.

We aim at “CULTURE OF THE FUTURE”, offering more creative spaces for children, young people, artists…

Filling the lack of spaces dedicated to children is one of the main priorities of the Ministry of Culture.

• The creation of the National Center for Children, a project that we started to advance with the Prime Minister, since my first day in this position, is the first step for policies and programs in favor of the family and children. The detailed project of the Center, already financed by the state budget, is expected to be ready by the end of the year and foresees spaces that will bring the new generation closer to art and culture, reading, but also to nature. They will be educated with a sense of responsibility for preserving the environment and with a sense of solidarity, acceptance of others, tolerance.

What we have to do is to build the citizens of tomorrow, the citizens of the whole world.

• A difficult operation, but of great importance for art, is also the doubling of the spaces of the National Art Gallery, which according to the Heritage Law turns into a Museum of Fine Arts. There will be twice the space for the art fund, twice the exhibition space, youth education; there will be restoration laboratories and space for training young professionals. And above all, the creation of favorable conditions for the preservation of works of art, modernization of all environments, which will reflect culture and be worthy of hosting great artists. Work is expected to start very soon, restoring the shine to the existing building and this important institution.
  As impatiently as we waited for the National Theater of Opera and Ballet, we are also waiting for the reconstruction of the National Theater, in the same space where it once stood, but with a change that will offer much more space for artists and the public; worthy spaces not only for our artists, but also for those foreigners, that until today we were reluctant to invite because our old theater did not offer the minimum stage conditions. Together with the National Art Gallery, it will create an important pole where culture and dignity will live.
  On the other hand, we aim to build other cultural poles, spreading attention from the center to the suburbs, where there are other creative energies.The construction of the Art Park, in the area of the former Kinostudio, a co-financing with the EU also aims to create such a pole, a social-cultural space that will serve for interaction and innovative cultural developments through a sustainable platform. A space at the service of the local community, but also the community of artists, children, but also professionals; of art studios, but also fun and relaxing spaces.The project is in line with the focus on Youth set by the Albania 2030 program, is a continuing link of the supporting policies “Education of the new generation” and is the project most related to the priorities of the New European Bauhaus.

  To go towards Vlora, to the Museum of Jews, as evidence of coexistence and an unequivocal history, of which we Albanians are undoubtedly proud. A museum, as part of the Historical Center of Vlora, that we brought back to life and brought it out of the dust as a precious treasure, that will show how a small people can undertake an unprecedented act; that will turn into a regional tourist and cultural magnet. The work has already begun and the support and positive energy comes to us even from across the ocean, in an excellent collaboration with our partner AADF.

  From memory institutions we come to the most tangible ones. The Arts & Crafts (Lab Art) program aims to create arts and crafts labs for 100 schools. The establishment of ‘LabArt’, which will also include the connection with technology, the e-learning platform, virtual museums, video tutorials for children online and on television. Dedicated educational and entertainment spaces for children will be created in sites, museums and art institutions; of curricula according to different age groups to convey the knowledge of making crafts in schools, using the creative abilities of students.

  -II-

  When after the earthquake of November 26, 2019, all of us were suffering the consequences of a tragedy, Albania received a note of confidence. Only for the restoration of cultural monuments, the European Union, through the major program EU4Culture, allocated an unprecedented amount of 40 million euros. A program that goes beyond rebuilding and closing the wounds of the earthquake, but also revitalization, to give them life and make them a driver of well-being for local communities; so that they are not simply absorbing funds, but helping to improve the economy of all those who live with these monuments. A program that extends from Rubik, to Kavajë, to Durrës, Tirana, Krujë, etc., to castles, houses-monuments, bridges, churches, museums…

  Without forgetting the help of the United States of America and other partners who joined us in the recovery process. With the USA, we have just signed a cooperation agreement for the prevention of cultural heritage trafficking, setting another standard not only in the cooperation between the two countries but also in the preservation of cultural heritage, showing our full readiness to be involved in an action that exceeds the borders of Albania.

  I would single out the excellent cooperation with foreign partners with a focus not only on the preservation of our national identity, religious coexistence, not only as an identifying element of Albanians, the preservation and transmission of generational values, but also for that part of cultural tourism that has its roots in community support policies, which are direct beneficiaries of initiatives that sound small and unnecessary to non-visionary eyes and ears, but which time has shown how this government connects capillarly in the territory and in the approaches its interministerial meeting the need and ambition of the growth of the family economy, which naturally becomes part of the “big” economy.

While an important intervention is expected to start in Durrës, where important projects are combined, from the reconstruction after the earthquake, to the revitalization of the monuments, to the bringing to light of the important monuments, from the amphitheater to the ancient walls, the Venetian Tower, the erection of TID Durrës.. All this as an integral part of an even deeper intervention in the city of Durrës, which will transform it from a port city into a cultural and tourist gateway.

But in order to advance our ambitious projects, we need good professionals, so we cannot see this process of revival and revitalization in any way separated from the formation of a new generation of specialists, so we will establish the Regional Center for Conservation and Restoration “School – Kantier”, which will be created under the example of Italian excellence (“Instituto Centrale per il Restauro & Scuola di Alta Formazione e Studio” (CNR), the specialized technical body of professional training of the Ministry for Cultural Heritage in Italy).

And the focus of QRKR will be professional training in the restoration and conservation of works of art and cultural heritage, with scientific, financial and organizational autonomy.

Third Application

We will aim for the open cultural Balkans, aimed at regional cultural cooperation aimed at strengthening dialogue, cultural exchange and creating a common Balkan market of both artistic and creative industries.

We aim to move towards the mobility of young professionals, foster international competition; to raise joint funds for regional cinematographic and theatrical co-productions, aiming at the creation of a common cinematographic and theatrical market; to create common platforms for cultural goods.
We will fight hard for an open Balkan book market, commitment to policies that give more attention to authors, translators and publishing houses.

We will also ensure the protection of copyrights for the authors of the countries of the Western Balkans.

Dear,

Our 4-year program is much more ambitious and detailed than that. What we aim at is to change the mindset that culture belongs to the background, that in people’s lives it has a secondary importance.

No, what we strongly insist on is that: without culture there is no future!