A key focus is lobbying for better policies by central and local authorities, while also striving to enhance the art scene’s international visibility. This weekend, AVAN is hosting its first inaugural initiative: Tirana Art Weekend. In light of this development, Erka Shalari, representing Les Nouveaux Riches, spoke with AVAN’s board members and will travel to Tirana to experience firsthand a dynamic program of exhibition openings, art tours, readings, and performances that will animate the city.
Erka Shalari: The Albanian Visual Art Network (AVAN) emerged as a significant outcome of the Vlora Art Meeting 2024. Elian, I would like to start with you and ask if you could share your perspective on the motivation behind this pivotal step. Perhaps you could first provide some context about the Vlora Art Meeting—its goals, atmosphere, and key discussions.
Elian Stefa: Initially the Vlora Art Meeting was conceived from a conversation between Niku Alex Muçaj, the co-founder of Galeria e Bregdetit and Niusha Khanmohammadi, a representative of the ArtNexus project in Albania, with myself joining soon afterwards and taking the lead in the production and execution of this idea. The idea was simple: over the last three decades, the art scene in Albania has been fraught with division and artificial fractures.
Could we organize a yearly meeting to overcome some of these artificial barriers, and build a sense of solidarity between the stakeholders of the independent contemporary art scene in Albania? Several overlapping coincidences over the last couple of years had made it clear that this moment could become a catalyst to leave this fractured past behind and attempt to create a bond of collaboration between all the contemporary arts professionals and organizations. It took enormous effort, lobbying, and relying on our personal relationships with many of the invited participants in order to make this work. We made sure to be as inclusive as possible, creating an open list of invitees, and asking as many colleagues as possible if there is anyone missing.
In the end, Vlora seemed to have a clear advantage in creating the conditions for this to happen, as the distance (be that physical or metaphorical) from the centralized bureaucracies of the Tirana realities allowed for a new approach to emerge towards new notions of collaboration. Engulfed in Vlora’s southern hospitality, we could drown old ways of doing things in the sea while we enjoyed stimulating exchanges over exquisite fish and local drinks. Once the key people had gathered, it was a process that took a life on its own and was pretty much out of my hands.
And this was a good thing! AVAN was decisively the product of the continuous open discussions of everyone present.
What is the network’s long-term vision and its anticipated impact on the art and cultural landscape?
Elian Stefa: I believe that this is just a small taste of what’s to come. AVAN intends to continue establishing itself as an egalitarian and democratic platform that unites the contemporary independent voices of the Albanian visual arts scene.
Adela Demetja: The network understands itself as a union of entities with diverse approaches, but that share the same interest of operating and addressing their urgencies with the language of visual arts. The main aim is to strengthen the contemporary art scene in Albania by gathering the scene to create an inspirational, collective framework which fosters collaboration and unity in future endeavours. AVAN advocates for sustainable funding and better working conditions for contemporary visual arts organizations. The network works also to ensure transparency within the network and in relations with institutions, to encourage artistic research, critical thinking and freedom of expression. The network works in solidarity with visual artists in Albania and we plan to keep both Vlora Art Meeting and Tirana Art Weekend as our main activities and continue to advocate for better conditions for the art field with local and national entities.
Adela, you have been actively involved in the independent art scene for nearly two decades. Could you provide our readers with an overview of the current state of off-spaces in Tirana? Your insights would be invaluable in understanding the dynamics and challenges.
Adela Demetja: Independent institutions, as I like to call them, have played an important role in shaping the contemporary art field in Albania since the late 2010s. They were mostly the only ones producing and promoting contemporary young and emerging artists, creating and maintaining the critical discourse and building collaboration and communication with international actors. In the absence of the market and state institutions lacking vision and compelling programs, the independent art scene took the leading role in driving contemporary art discourse. Now after two decades of the different actors creating and maintaining their own positions, it was about time to join forces and act unified. With AVAN, we work to achieve better working conditions for organizations in the visual arts scene and to collaborate with each other in order to provide for the public and the artists qualitative programing that offers constructive perspectives through the lens of visual arts. At the moment, I think we are facing a very promising new cycle for the independent art institutions, because the Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation, as a result of our request and exchange with them, is planning to raise the budget for supporting independent institutions, with higher financial support so that they can cover the costs of their annual programs and operational costs as well. This is crucial for us because it means we can concentrate on the quality and necessity of the programs that we will produce, while offering fair working conditions for both cultural workers and artists. I think Albania has produced and keeps producing excellent contemporary artists and we should use our potential and make the best out of it, especially in a period when a lot of people want to emigrate abroad. While Albania is becoming more and more a tourist attraction, we want to do our best with initiatives like AVAN, to shape the culture we want to be known and appreciated for.
Albania has produced and keeps producing excellent contemporary artists and we should use our potential and make the best out of it, especially in a period of time when a lot of people want to emigrate abroad.
While Albania is becoming more and more a tourist attraction, we want to do our best, with initiatives like AVAN, to shape the culture we want to be known and appreciated for.
How are spaces responding to these opportunities for network-building?
Amantia Peza: I think this time the stars are finally on our side (smiles). Tirana’s art scene has enormous potential, but we must admit that so far, unity has been lacking. Between economic and political pressures and the difficulty of having a shared vision, we have found ourselves fragmented. And, let’s be honest, at times we haven’t done enough to support each other. AVAN has been a clear and important response to try to change things. Now, more than ever, it’s time to take a step forward.
Art spaces should not only be places where works are exhibited, but also meeting points to talk, collaborate, and create something bigger together. We don’t need to start big: small steps are enough, like meeting, breaking down those invisible barriers that keep us apart, and learning to trust one another.
We need to stop thinking individually and start recognizing the strength we can have as a united community. Building networks takes time, effort, and a little patience, but it’s the only way to truly grow, both as individuals and as an art scene. Only then can Tirana take the place it deserves on the international art map.
Why did AVAN choose Tirana Art Weekend for its debut event? What influenced your approach to organizing the occasion, and who are you hoping to reach?
Sonila Abdalli: Since the creation of the Network in Vlora, we realized there was no better way to connect than by coming together under one celebratory event. Tirana Art Weekend emerged from this shared desire to unite local and international players, public and private actors, and the wider public in one dynamic moment that celebrates Albanian’s thriving art scene. For years, I’ve worked as a cultural manager and entrepreneur within Albania’s creative and cultural sector, witnessing both the challenges and the untapped potential that define our ecosystem. What became clear to me is that if we want to stand out and be recognized internationally, we first need to strengthen the foundations at home.
Tirana Art Weekend is not just an event. It’s a collective effort to amplify our voices, foster collaboration, and position Tirana within a growing network of global art weekends.
Tirana, with its layered history and vibrant cultural diversity, is the perfect place for such an initiative. The city is in motion, with an emerging art scene that deserves to be seen and celebrated. By hosting this event, we are stepping into a larger conversation about contemporary art, one that is increasingly embracing underrepresented voices from Southeast Europe. What makes Tirana Art Weekend special is its inclusivity. We’re bringing together galleries, independent art spaces, and cultural organizations that often work isolated from one another, creating a unified platform where their unique visions can intersect. And just as importantly, we’ve ensured that the event is free and open to all, reflecting our commitment to making contemporary art accessible while maintaining thoughtful and high-quality curation.
Our audience is equally diverse—art enthusiasts, collectors, curators, students, academics, and anyone curious about the intersection of creativity and culture. Whether it’s someone discovering contemporary art for the first time or an experienced collector exploring new talent, we want everyone to feel part of this vibrant dialogue. Tirana Art Weekend is more than a gathering; it’s a statement. It’s about showcasing the creative energy of Albania, fostering connections across borders, and inviting the world to engage with our evolving cultural narrative. For me, this isn’t just an initiative; it’s a deeply personal mission to help our art scene claim the visibility and recognition it deserves, both locally and globally.
Tirana Art Weekend will feature not only spaces based in Tirana, but will also have some initiatives and off spaces from other Albanian cities like Shkodra, Vlora (a relatively new and positive development in Albania). Elian, as you are one of the actors with Galeria e Bregdetit, can you tell us something about the importance of it?
Elian Stefa: Galeria e Bregdetit was founded in 2018 as an idea and in 2019 as a space. We were obviously encouraged by the establishment of Shkodra’s Art House in 2015, in the north of Albania, and we wished to balance their creative output with our own representation of the coastal south. I think both institutions are very closely connected to the contexts that they inhabit. One of the main reasons why Galeria e Bregdetit was actually born, was to serve as a tool to investigate (and maybe influence) the territorial changes happening in the Albanian Riviera due to tourism.
We were obviously encouraged by the establishment of Shkodra’s Art House in 2015, in the north of Albania, and we wished to balance their creative output with our own representation of the coastal south.
This allowed for specific lines of research and long-term projects to emerge, such as the Off-Season Artist Residency and Artileria Sazan — experiences that can only exist outside of the centrality of Tirana, and I’m very happy to see their proliferation. So, I think this new multiplicity of realities is much more than just geographical, with new breeds of project spaces and art galleries offering new possibilities for contemporary artists in Albania. One can now find pop-up spaces, public space interventions, digital art galleries, spaces focused on education, and others on specific minority groups. This phenomenon overall is a very strong indicator of the maturity that the Albanian independent art scene is finally expressing. I think it is a necessary precursor for allowing something like AVAN to emerge.
Could you share some of the occurrences with us, such as exhibitions, events, and satellite programs?
Sonila Abdalli: Tirana Art Weekend will bring together a wide spectrum of contemporary art practices, from thought-provoking exhibitions, film screening, artists talks, and guided tours. It’s an invitation to explore the city through its independent art spaces, galleries, and cultural hubs, each contributing a distinct voice to this collective celebration of creativity. The weekend begins with An Independent Book Fair, hosted by 28 November and Bulevard Art and Media Institute. This unique fair organized for the third year at Bulevard Gallery brings together over forty publishers and projects from Albania, Kosovo, the diaspora, and beyond, showcasing the intersection of literature, independent publishing, and visual art. It’s a must-see for those interested in exploring ideas through the lens of books as cultural objects. The program also emphasizes engagement, with intimate readings at Botime Berk, experimental documentaries like EUnderground Mix, and artist talks at Minus Art Space.
Adela: In its inaugural edition, Tirana Art Weekend will present a diverse program with 15 partners showcasing their approaches, while spotlighting the work of compelling local and international artists. The main center of Tirana Art Weekend is the headquarters of the Institute for the Integration of Former Political Victims. A beautiful newly-restored villa from Tirana’s architectural heritage from the beginning of the XX century. Institute for the Integration of Former Political Victims will be as well our guest at the Main Venue with a reading room, consisting of books published by former political victims during the communist regime.
The Main Venue will accommodate the program of initiatives that do not have a permanent physical location or which operate in other cities across Albania (Art House Art Kontakt, Bulevard Art and Media Institute, Galeria e Bregdetit, PARAROJA, Satellite Zone, The Albanian Cinematheque, Tirana Art Lab. Tirana’s own galleries and project spaces (28 November & Bulevard Art and Media Institute, Bazament Art Space, Botime Berk, Destil Creative Hub, Minus Art Space, Prag Space, ZETA Center for Contemporary Art) will open their doors in a coordinated progression showcasing mostly projects that were made especially for Tirana Art Weekend.
Tirana Art Weekend
Duration: Friday, November 29th – Sunday, December 1st, 2024, 11:00-20:00
Inauguration: 29 November, Friday 8 pm
Address: Institute for the Integration of Former Political Victims / (ISKK Albania)
George.W. Bush Street, Tirana
Tirana Art Weekend Headquarters
Art House (Artist Nora Bzheta) / Art Kontakt (Experimental Documentary produced by Art Kontakt) / Bulevard Art and Media Institute (Lindart and the Albanian Women Artists Association) / Galeria e Bregdetit (Artists Ervin Qafmolla, Elinor Butka, Art Drone Projects ) / PARAROJA (Artist Genc Kadriu) / Satellite Zone (Artists Jon Azizaj, Pediona Dautaj, Alessia Podgorica) / The Albanian Cinematheque (Artist Stefan Taçi) / Tirana Art Lab – Center for Contemporary Art ( Artists Enza Rripaj, Abi Shehu, Vasil Tole, Alexander Walmsley) / Institute for the Integration of Former Political Victims (guests)
Exhibitions around the City
28 November & Bulevard Art and Media Institute (An Independent Book Fair) / Bazament Art Space (Artist Marco Campardo) / Botime Berk (Reading by Anna Shkreli ) / Destil Creative Hub (In collaboration with Back in Time) / Minus Art Space (Artist Klara Fyshku ) / Prag Space ( Artists Merlin Kaziaj, Noel Myrtezai, Enton Nazeraj, Viktorja Nikolla, Enza Rripaj) / ZETA Center for Contemporary Art (MANIFESTO Collective)
Satellite Program
Apparat Studio ( Collaboration between Karolina Halatek, Apparat Studio, Tirana Art Lab & Elian Stefa) / Gallery of Arts Tirana (Group Exhibition) / GurGur Gallery (Artist Erion Bardhi) / Space05 (Artist Lib Shkupolli)/ Zenit Gallery (Artists Lumturi Blloshmi, Maks Velo, Ali Oseku, Anastas Kostandini, Zini Veshi)
For the full program: www.avan.al, www.instagram.com/albanianvisualartsnetwork
Sonila Abdalli is an architect, art producer and entrepreneur from Tirana. She is the co-founder of Destil Creative Hub, Boulevard Art and Media Institute, Space05 and board member of Albanian Visual Arts Network.
Adela Demetja is a curator and art producer from Tirana with an international career, living between Albania and Germany. She is the executive Director of Tirana Art Lab – Center for Contemporary and Albanian Visual Arts Network.
Amantia Peza is a film and art producer from Tirana. She is the co-founder and director of Bazament Art Space and board member of Albanian Visual Arts Network.
Elian Stefa is an architect, researcher, and curator from Vlora, living between Vlora and Lisbon. He is the director of Galeria e Bregdetit and board member of Albanian Visual Arts Network