For the first time in Albania, the Mexican Cultural Week will be held, packed with a variety of artistic and cultural events. This week-long celebration will also mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Albania and Mexico.

The Mexican Cultural Week will kick off today, November 13, at the Center for Openness and Dialogue, with an event titled “Diplomacy and Culture.” The Ambassador of Mexico to Italy, Carlos Eugenio Garcia de Alba Zepeda, will be among the participants. He will also give a lecture on “Mexican Diaspora, Public Policies” and sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the Albania Institute for International Studies and the Mexican Council on Foreign Relations.

On the same day, the Opera and Ballet Theatre in Tirana will host the inauguration of the Alebrije sculpture “Monarch Child.” Created by artist Ricardo Macias, the sculpture represents a combination of a native Albanian goat and a migratory monarch butterfly, symbolizing the friendship between the two countries through these elements of their respective fauna.

The opening day will also feature the screening of the documentary “Caravaggio: Spirit and Blood”, an emotional journey through the life, works, and struggles of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, one of the most beloved, discussed, and mysterious artists in art history. The documentary will be shown at the Marubi Film Academy in Tirana, presenting original documents never before seen on screen.

On November 14, at the Marubi Film Academy, renowned director Jesus Garcés Lambert, one of Europe’s most influential filmmakers, will hold a masterclass titled “Between Fiction and Documentary: Find Your Own Voice.” Over the past 20 years, Garcés Lambert has directed and written documentaries for some of the world’s most prominent broadcasters and platforms, with his films aired in over 160 countries. That same evening, the award-winning documentary “Where Are You?” will also be screened. The film explores the journeys of refugees forced to cross borders in search of a better life, reflecting on the global refugee crisis.

For those eager to experience Mexican cuisine, a tasting event will take place on November 14 at Destil Creative Hub in Tirana, offering a variety of Mexican dishes and tequilas. From comfort food like tamales and street food such as tacos, to the festive chile relleno, these dishes will be given a unique Albanian twist. The tasting will be paired with a tequila experience, starting at 8:00 PM.

The Mexican Cultural Week will conclude on November 16 with a concert by artist Israel Varela at the Orthodox Cathedral in Tirana. He will perform selections from his tenth album, “Frida en Silencio”, a tribute to the legendary Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, blending her letters and paintings into music, alongside pieces from his album “ELESIUS”.