“Partners for Progress”: Albania hosts British Cultural Week

Albania is hosting the United Kingdom Cultural Week from 10 to 16 November under the theme “Partners for Progress”, bringing a diverse program of music, art, film, technology, education and sports to venues across Tirana. Supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, the week highlights the longstanding cultural ties between the two countries and fosters collaboration in creativity, innovation and social inclusion.

The opening took place on 10 November at the National Theatre of Opera, Ballet and Folk Ensemble with the symphonic concert “Sound of Greatness”, conducted by British maestro Dr. James Ross alongside the TKOB Symphony Orchestra. The performance merged British orchestral tradition with Albanian musical expression.

A parallel sports program, FootbALL Week, is running from 10 to 14 November, bringing together teams from embassies, organizations and institutions in a friendly football tournament. The initiative supports children with hearing difficulties and promotes sport as a tool of community inclusion.

The program is continuing on 11 November at the Pyramid with “Tech4Edu: Empowering Capacities, Building the Future”, presented by the British Council and Vodafone Foundation. The event is introducing advanced British practices in digital learning and inviting students, teachers and education professionals to take part in open discussions on the future of education.

Later the same evening, Villa 31 Art Explora is presenting “Frames of Change”, a showcase of short films from the UK and from Albanian and Kosovar filmmakers, followed by a conversation with Romina Ruda on sustainable cinema and contemporary visual storytelling.

On 12 November, the Center for Openness and Dialogue (COD) is opening “Range”, a solo exhibition by Turner Prize-winning sculptor Richard Deacon, featuring works in ceramic, photography and stainless steel. Curated by art historian Nea Tandini, the exhibition will remain open to the public with free admission until 12 December.

The National Library’s “Sotir Kolea” Center is hosting the commemorative seminar “Colonel Aubrey Herbert and Albania: A Legacy of Friendship” on 13 November, accompanied by a display of archival documents highlighting Herbert’s role in supporting Albania. That evening, Villa 31 Art Explora is screening “All of Us Strangers” (dir. Andrew Haigh), a poetic exploration of memory and emotional connection.

On 14 November, Skanderbeg Square’s underground parking space is transforming into an open electronic music stage for “Tirana Underground”, featuring Henri Bergmann, Malo and Andi Q.

The creative program continues on 15 November at Villa 31 Art Explora with “Creative Intelligence: When Art Meets the Algorithm”, a workshop led by Nensi Ahmetbeja on the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and artistic practice.

The Cultural Week concludes the same evening with “United Rhythms: A Journey Through Jazz, R&B and Rock”, a collaborative live concert bringing British and Albanian musicians together on stage.