Austrian Culture Week celebrates art and heritage in Albania

The Austrian Culture Week kicks off on October 26 and runs until October 31, bringing a vibrant celebration of Austrian art and culture to the cities of Tirana and Shkodër. This week-long event features a diverse array of activities aimed at engaging the Albanian public and beyond.

The festivities begin with a piano concert featuring renowned musicians Zamir Kabo and Philipp Scheucher at the Concert Hall of the University of Arts in Tirana. The concert will showcase significant works for two pianos by contemporary Austrian composer Friedemann Katt, as well as notable pieces from Sergey Rachmaninoff’s repertoire, promising a memorable evening for attendees.

On the same day, a presentation of “Expansion” by esteemed Austrian author Robert Menasse will take place at Europe House in Tirana, followed by another presentation on October 27 at the Youth Center Arka in Shkodër. This satirical novel addresses themes of politics, the European Union, and Albania’s path toward EU membership, marking its debut in Albanian translation.

The National Experimental Theatre “Kujtim Spahivogli” will host the theatrical production “Shadows: Eurydice Speaks” on October 27-28. This poignant play delves into the experiences and legacies left behind in life, exploring complex themes crafted with finesse by author Elfriede Jelinek.

On October 28, the Faculty of Foreign Languages in Tirana will offer a lecture titled “Describing Functional Grammar: What Is It Really?” alongside a workshop on the applications of functional grammar in teaching German, catering to those interested in language education.

The “Trachtenkapelle Graz-Wetzelsdorf” ensemble will perform selected marches from the era of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, honoring Ignaz Trollmann, who served as the commander of the Austro-Hungarian army in Albania from 1916 to 1918. Their performances are scheduled for October 28 at the Concert Hall of the University of Arts in Tirana and on October 29 in front of the Municipality of Shkodër.

A lively event titled “Body Music Explosion,” featuring Groove Crew, will take place on October 29 at the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet, where five performers will energize the space with their bodies and voices, emphasizing rhythm, singing, and dancing.

On October 30, the short interpretive film “Wild Albania” will be screened at Zeta Gallery in Tirana. This film aims to challenge the cultural prejudices that persist regarding Albania within Austrian society, highlighting misconceptions about the country.

The week concludes with the screening of the film “Alma and Oskari” on October 31 at Kinema Republika in Shkodër. Directed by Dieter Berner, this drama tells the passionate but brief love story between artist Alma Mahler and young painter Oscar Kokoschka, exploring the intricate dynamics of power and dependency that lead both protagonists to the brink of self-destruction.