From puppets to rock: Israeli Cultural Week brings artistic diversity to Albania

From June 9 to 12, Tirana will host Israeli Cultural Week, offering a rich lineup of events showcasing the diversity and creativity of Israeli art and culture. The festival is part of the International Cultural Weeks organized by Albania’s Ministry of Economy, Culture, and Innovation.

The opening day features the award-winning puppet theater performance “When All Was Green” by Dikla Katz and Avi Zlicha, taking place at the Puppet Theater. Told entirely without words, the play uses recycled books and old paper to narrate a powerful story about childhood, nature, and urban life. The performance, which has won 16 international awards and toured over 30 countries, will be followed by an interactive workshop for both children and adults.

On June 11, the legendary Israeli rock band Orphaned Land will perform live at the “Reja” installation. Known for using heavy metal to promote peace and cultural dialogue, the band has been active since 1991 and has a strong fan base across the Middle East, Europe, and the U.S. Their music carries powerful messages of unity, earning them global recognition and even sparking a grassroots campaign for a Nobel Peace Prize nomination.

The cultural week concludes on June 12 with the modern dance performance “I Carry, You Hold” at the Experimental Theater “Kujtim Spahivogli.” Choreographed by Olivia Court Mesa and Yochai Ginton, the duet explores gender dynamics through a physical dialogue of equality and emotional depth.

Israeli Cultural Week was preceded by the popular art exhibition “From Bohemia to Eternity” at the Center for Openness and Dialogue (COD), featuring works by Modigliani, Matisse, Degas, Lempicka, and van Dongen, which attracted over 3,000 visitors.

All events are free and open to the public. Following Israeli Cultural Week, the spotlight will shift to Swedish culture starting June 13, continuing the series of international cultural celebrations in Albania.