The Albania-Croatia match was anticipated with great festivities in Skanderbeg Square, where the Municipality of Tirana had planned numerous surprises for fans supporting the national team in the Euro 2024 second-round match.

A special treat for the Red and Black supporters was the renowned artist Shkurte Fejza, who performed before the national team’s challenge. Just before her performance, Shkurte Fejza was greeted in a meeting by Mayor Erion Veliaj, who awarded her the “Key of Tirana.”

“The Key of Tirana symbolizes an open door, an open heart, and an open mind. You have inspired us endlessly in every celebration, every gathering, especially in the joys with our national team. Today in Tirana, we have many citizens from Kosovo and other places, but the fact that your music has been like the thread that has united Albanians wherever they are, in a large patch of red and black, is something extraordinary. You should be very proud. We certainly are! But also, you yourself, for the 50 years of unconditional love you have given us. The second good news is that Shkurte Fejza will soon be at the Fan Zone, where we have a surprise to cheer on the national team before their match with Croatia,” expressed Veliaj.

He also shared the good news that today Shkurte Fejza will hold a concert at the Palace of Congresses, as the cherry on top of her 50-year career. “Tomorrow at the Palace of Congresses, at 8:00 PM, Shkurte Fejza will have her concert, the cherry on top, celebrating 50 years of her career. Let’s be very grateful and show lots of love,” Veliaj added.

Artist Shkurte Fejza expressed her deep honor upon receiving this award from the Municipality of Tirana, as a realization of her youthful dream.

“I am deeply honored, and now I see that my youthful dream is simply coming true. In every song of mine, I have sung for our common homeland, and now I am happy that this award with which I was honored, does not just value the National Team from Kosovo, but all of Kosovo, all Albanians wherever they are, my collaborators, my family, and I am extremely grateful. Thank you very much,” she declared.

/k.s/