Tirana brought together creative economy professionals from the United Kingdom, the Western Balkans and Albania, to hold discussions on film, music, technology, architecture, visual arts, etc.

In the premises of the Pyramid, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Municipality of Tirana and the British Council, which expresses the commitment to work together in the next three years to draft a Development Strategy for the creative economy.

The Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj expressed his pride that Tirana has raised the “bar” in the field of creativity, as he added that he is also proud of establishing a long-term cooperation relationship with the British Council, to learn from the best.

According to the head of the Municipality of Tirana, it is only a matter of time for Tirana to be the city of creative and digital jobs of the future.

“The Municipality of Tirana again has the largest budget it has had in history. Every year we have more than the previous year for the recreational industry, for art and culture. I would like this year to be a year of brainstorming, to cooperate together in the following year, when Tirana is becoming the Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue. When I think that the number of tourists last year was 10 million, imagine how much it will be this year. How can they be involved in cultural life, how can we exchange energy with others? That would be fantastic. Today, 25% of Tirana’s economy is tourism, 25% are new digital jobs, new jobs that actually originated from the creative community”, emphasized Veliaj.

Alastair King-Smith, the British ambassador, said that Albania already has an important place in the Western Balkans and in Europe as far as the creative industry is concerned.

“Many changes have taken place here in Albania, in Tirana, regarding economic development, modern infrastructure, more active civil society. This pyramid in Tirana is gathering people from all over the world through the imagination you have brought and your history. Albania already has an important place not only here, but in the Western Balkans and in Europe, and I am sure that together we can help Albania keep this place”, said the British ambassador.

Clare Sears, Head of the British Council for the Western Balkans said that the Pyramid has become a center of innovation and creativity. “I really like the fact that now the Pyramid has become a center of innovation and creativity and continues to be fun for young people,” declared Clare Sears.

In order to integrate and develop the creative sector, in 2022, the Municipality of Tirana has established the Creative Industry Agency.

/k.s/