First, Prime Minister Edi Rama said today that the new National Theatre will become the most beautiful in the Balkans. Moreover, he said it will rank among the most beautiful theatres in Europe.

Speaking on the podcast “Flasim – Episode 11, Season 5,” Rama explained how the new theatre will function. He stressed that the artistic community will shape its content and daily life.

“What I can say,” Rama stated, “is that it will be the most beautiful theatre. Whether it is national or not does not matter. However, it will undoubtedly be the most beautiful in the Balkans and one of the finest in Europe. As for content, the community will decide.”

Next, Rama emphasized that infrastructure alone is not enough. While the country will gain a top-level theatre building, he said the real challenge lies in keeping it alive every day with high-quality productions.

In addition, he pointed out that the theatre will host international companies. At the same time, it will welcome troupes and actors from Albanian-speaking regions. From an infrastructure perspective, he said, the theatre will offer broad possibilities.

However, Rama acknowledged limits in cultural management. He explained that Albania has not yet reached a level where cultural institutions consistently benefit from top-tier management. Nevertheless, he noted that the country does have some very capable managers.

Meanwhile, the prime minister highlighted other cultural projects advancing in parallel.

“We are building the new National Gallery,” Rama said. “We are also transforming the National Museum. Furthermore, we have an ambitious program for this mandate to create several smaller museums in Tirana. At the same time, we are successfully developing the Museum of the History of Albanian Jews in Vlora. In addition, we are preparing to start work on the ‘Besa’ Museum in Tirana and on the Museum of Islamic Art.”

Finally, Rama stressed the central question behind all these investments. He said success depends on whether management can rise to the level of the new architecture and infrastructure. Step by step, he added, the country will move forward.

/a.c/