A year with sensational events, not only in art, the spectacle of culture but also discoveries in archeology, which made the international media talk about our country. Here are some of the most important moments of 2023.

With an Albanian story narrated in 17 minutes in the short film “A short journey”, director Erenik Beqiri managed to triumph among 12 productions in the “Orizzonti” category at the 80th edition of the Venice Biennale, winning the “Golden Lion “. Another confirmation of the talent of the young Albanian, after participating in the Oscar awards with the film ‘Van’.

Awarded with a number of international prizes, including “European Poet of Freedom”, Luljeta Lleshanaku was crowned at the end of 2023 with a national prize, that of Poet Laureate founded by the National Book and Reading Center. One of the best voices of Albanian literature, ranked and recommended among the best world poets, even in the biggest Fairs like the one in Leipzig, Germany, Lleshanaku is seen in the country as another favorite Albanian candidate for the Nobel Prize.

By a special decree of the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, the writer Ismail Kadare was awarded the prestigious title “Senior Officer of the Legion of Honor” and is thus ranked among the 250 world-renowned personalities honored by the French state. In the accompanying ceremony of this event, Macron described Kadare as a poet of the Balkans, a rhapsode of Europe and a herald of freedom.

The Institute of Archeology has undoubtedly marked the greatest successes for Albania, at the academic, research and scientific level. The ‘Lin3’ project, which talked about palafite settlements up to 8000 years old, also attracted the attention of the international media. Also, the excavations in Babunja in Lushnja as part of the project on the process of ‘Colonization in South Illyria’, brought success to the country. The spotlight fell on this project thanks to the 2,500-year-old ‘Knight and Horse from Albania’, discovered in 2018, which was exhibited at the Getty Museum.

After receiving the title of protection by UNESCO in 2022, as an Albanian phenomenon over 4,000 years old, during the past year Albania expanded its scope in the World Heritage of Humanity. Trasnumaca, or the tradition of cattle migration, became part of the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage for our country together with several other countries that had applied.

As for the world of pageantry, the announcement of 18-year-old Albanian Drita Ziri as Miss Earth 2023 was another good news for our country.

In addition to events such as Albania’s participation in the Turin Book Fair, the completion of several investments, such as the restoration of the Theater of the University of Arts, has also been important.

/k.s/