Albania hosts Swedish Culture Week: a celebration of art, music, and community

Swedish Culture Week, held from June 13 to 19, is celebrating the connection between Sweden and Albania through a dynamic mix of art, music, and civic engagement. The program highlights a shared commitment to creativity, cultural exchange, and sustainable collaboration.

The week began with the opening of “Fleeting”, a thought-provoking art exhibition by Swedish artists Nina Wedberg Thulin and Maria Backman, held at the “Harku i Triumfit” Gallery in Tirana on June 13–14. Through paintings, sculptures, and multimedia works, the exhibition explored the themes of flight, motion, and constant change as core aspects of the human experience. The immersive pieces invited visitors to reflect on impermanence and personal transformation.

On June 14, Tirana’s Metropol Theater hosted an enchanting classical music concert, featuring the exceptional talents of Albanian pianist Eni Barbullushi, Swedish cellist Daniel Thorell, and violinist Danial Shariati. The performance was warmly received by audiences, as the trio delivered a stirring program that blended Nordic and Balkan musical traditions in a powerful display of cross-cultural artistry.

Today, June 16, the focus shifts to the city of Gjirokastër, where a unique cultural dialogue is taking place under the title “Preserving the Past, Shaping the Future.” Hosted at the Kubé House of Polyphony, this initiative brings together Swedish and Albanian cultural experts to reflect on heritage preservation and the future of museums. The event includes workshops on how museums can become more connected to their communities and reach broader audiences. Rani Kasapi, Director of Exhibitions at Sweden’s National Museums of World Culture, is presenting forward-thinking strategies for inclusive and dynamic exhibitions.

The cultural festivities will reach their peak on the evening of June 17, when Jenny, the iconic voice of the legendary Swedish pop group Ace of Base, takes the stage at Skanderbeg Square in Tirana. In a highly anticipated live concert, Jenny will perform some of the band’s biggest global hits, including “The Sign,” “All That She Wants,” and “Beautiful Life.” The performance is expected to draw a large crowd and will be a highlight of the week’s program.

On June 18, Swedish Culture Week turns its attention to environmental awareness and urban sustainability. At the Bicycle School on Dervish Hima Street in Tirana, a full day of interactive activities will be held under the theme “Together for a Greener and Safer Albania.” The event will focus on bicycle safety, green transportation, and civic participation, featuring hands-on training and educational workshops aimed at promoting safe and eco-friendly cycling.