From flamenco to tapas: Spanish Cultural Week arrives in Tirana

Spanish Cultural Week will take place in Albania from November 3 to 7, featuring a varied program of literature, music, dance, gastronomy, and film. The event forms part of the International Cultural Weeks, which this year unfold at a special moment, as Tirana holds the title of Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue for 2025. With 20 participating countries and a growing number of local and international artists, the initiative promotes cultural exchange and dialogue. Spain’s cultural week follows the recently concluded Austrian Week.

The week officially opens on November 3 at Babel Bookstore in Tirana with the presentation of the book Anatomy of a Moment by Javier Cercas. The Albanian edition, translated by Bashkim Shehu and published by Dudaj, revisits the failed coup d’état in Spain on February 23, 1981, intertwining political history with personal and collective reflection. On the same evening, the flamenco performance Recóndito by Lucía La Bronce, a longtime dancer of the Andalusian Flamenco Ballet, will take place at the Orthodox Cathedral in Tirana. Accompanied by musicians on guitar, percussion, and vocals, La Bronce brings an intimate and emotionally charged interpretation of traditional flamenco.

From November 4 to 6, the “Agimi” Art Center in Tirana will host screenings of three representative works of contemporary Spanish cinema. The program includes En los márgenes on November 4, Cien años de perdón on November 5, and Ventajas de viajar en tren on November 6.

On November 5, a wine-tasting event by the Emilio Moro Winery will be held at the restaurant “Kope.” Teresa Aumesquet, Commercial Director for Europe, will lead the tasting, which will gather sommeliers, oenologists, and professionals in the field. Due to limited capacity, participation requires prior reservation via [email protected].

The evening of November 6 will be dedicated to Spanish gastronomy with the event “Vamos de Tapeo” at the restaurant “Gjeli i Pazarit.” Traditional Spanish tapas will be served, accompanied by beer and sangria. Tapas, originating in 13th-century Andalusia and recognized in 2013 by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, symbolize a culture of sharing and conviviality among friends and family. Reservations are required through [email protected].

On November 7 at the UNED Center in Gjirokastër, classical guitarist Denis Bizhga, founder and artistic director of the Albania International Guitar Festival, will perform a concert featuring works by renowned Spanish composers. The recital will offer a musical journey through the evocative melodies of Francisco Tárrega and the lyrical passion of Isaac Albéniz.

In the broader cultural calendar, the 24th edition of the concert “The Three Tenors” will take place on November 23 at the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet in Tirana. This edition is dedicated to Spain and its rich musical heritage, featuring Spanish tenors Ignacio Encinas, Eduardo Sandoval, and Albert Pros Deprius, who will perform some of the most iconic zarzuela pieces.