Tirana hosts Egyptian Cultural Week showcasing ancient heritage and artistic traditions

From July 8 to 12, Tirana will host the Egyptian Cultural Week, a multi-day cultural program designed to bring Albanian audiences closer to the rich legacy of Egyptian civilization by offering an immersive experience into one of the world’s oldest cultures.

Why is this important: Egyptian Cultural Week is part of the broader International Cultural Weeks initiative, which aims to promote intercultural dialogue through art and heritage. Conceived as a platform of collaboration and understanding between cultures, the event offers historical exhibitions, concerts, culinary tastings, and interactive public activities, positioning Tirana as a dynamic hub for international cultural exchange.

Among the highlights is the Tanoura performance, a traditional Egyptian dance inspired by Sufi whirling. The dancer, dressed in vibrant, multi-layered skirts, spins gracefully in circles, creating a mesmerizing blend of movement, music, and spiritual expression. The Tanoura will be performed on July 8 and 10 at the “Tonin Harapi” hall of the Jordan Misja Artistic High School in Tirana, and on July 9 in Skanderbeg Square.

On July 11, the Egyptian Food Festival will be held at the entrance hall of the Pyramid of Tirana. This gastronomic event will showcase the rich and flavorful world of Egyptian cuisine, where ancient culinary traditions meet bold spices and ingredients. Visitors will be introduced to iconic dishes such as koshari and the sweet basbousa, each representing a story of hospitality and cultural heritage.

Cinematic presentations are also a key component of the week. On an evening at the Reja installation in Tirana, the film The Blue Elephant, directed by Marwan Hamed, will be screened. The psychological thriller follows Dr. Yehia, a psychiatrist working in the criminally insane ward at Al Abbasia hospital, who discovers that one of his patients is his longtime friend.

The event concludes on July 12 with a screening of the film Diamond Dust, also at the Reja installation. The story centers on a part-time pharmacy worker who uncovers a brutal truth about his father’s murder and embarks on a dark journey of revenge, revealing the grim underworld of crime.