Tirana hosts first Saudi Arabia Cultural Week

Saudi Arabia is bringing a full celebration of its arts, heritage, and traditions to Albania for the first time, with Saudi Arabia Cultural Week taking place from 16-20 September at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana. The event is part of the International Cultural Weeks series and features exhibitions, performances, workshops, and cultural exchanges aimed at strengthening dialogue between the two nations.

At the Cultural Exchange Pavilion, visitors can embark on a multi-sensory journey blending Saudi and Albanian artistic traditions. Alongside, a traditional tent, or majlis, recognized by UNESCO for its cultural significance, welcomes guests with authentic Saudi hospitality, dates and traditional coffee, offering a glimpse into the kingdom’s social customs. Saudi cuisine also takes center stage, with dishes representing all 13 regions of the Kingdom, including Jareesh, Haneeth, Vegetable Mutabag, Kleija, Kobaibat Hail, as well as drinks such as Hibiscus-Loomi Mocktail and Taif Rose Lemonade.

Master craftsmen will present live demonstrations in the Crafts Corner, allowing visitors to learn traditional techniques firsthand. This initiative ties into Saudi Arabia’s declaration of 2025 as the Year of Artisanship, highlighting the cultural, aesthetic, and historical value of handmade works passed down through generations. Exhibitions will further enrich the program, including replicas of ancient artifacts, a Saudi fashion showcase by leading designers, digital displays of rare Arabic manuscripts, interactive presentations of traditional and modern musical instruments, and a Saudi literature pavilion with Arabic and English publications, author discussions, and a section dedicated to UNESCO’s Creative City of Literature, Al Taif. A pavilion dedicated to Arabic calligraphy will feature demonstrations by Saudi and Albanian artists.

Music and performance arts also play a central role throughout the week. “Saudi Troupe Meets the World” will present a cross-cultural concert blending Saudi instruments such as the oud, qanun, simsimiyya, and percussion with Albanian and Western instruments including violin, guitar, flute, contrabass, saxophone, and drums. A panel discussion on 18 September titled “Preserving and Documenting Musical Heritage in Saudi Arabia and Albania – Past and Present Efforts” will bring together Saudi and Albanian scholars. Modern Saudi music will be represented by Ana.n/n, an indie rock band from Jeddah known for mixing global influences with Arabic vernacular lyrics. Traditional performing arts will also be staged, including Daq al-Hab, a rhythmic folk art from farming communities; Al-Heidah, a poetic call-and-response chant; Al-Hand, a women’s dance from Najd; Al-Fareesa, a horseback reenactment with palm-leaf props; and Al-Lanboora, a collective performance combining music and rhythm.

Cinema is another highlight, with a program of Saudi short films that reflect the diversity and creativity of the country’s emerging film industry. Screenings will include The Journey, Me & Idros, The Pond, Saleeg, Saeed, Ball, Old School, and Monsters in the Sky, each offering fresh perspectives and narratives from young Saudi filmmakers.

The literary dimension of the week will be marked by a series of panels and readings that emphasize the role of translation in connecting cultures. Discussions will feature works such as I Stopped Crying, The Najdi Boy’s Journey, Al-Warfa, Man Chased by Crows, and The Critical State of Mr. K. Other sessions will explore the parallels between Gulf and Balkan folk narratives and reflect on the process of translating Saudi literature into Albanian, the challenges faced, and the opportunities for expanding readership.

Running daily from 13:00 to 20:00, Saudi Arabia Cultural Week offers Albanian audiences a rare opportunity to experience the full spectrum of Saudi heritage, from ancient traditions to modern creativity, while fostering stronger cultural connections between the two countries.