The beach of Velipoja has been transformed into an art scene. For 6 consecutive days, Albanian and foreign artists created sand sculptures in it, as part of the “Land and Sand” Art Festival, which is held for the first time in Albania.
Saint Teresa is standing in a sand sculpture on the beach of Velipoja… While further on, a portrait of a child begins to take shape… The authors are local and foreign artists and from Wednesday they have been joined by the “Land and Earth” Art Festival sand”, which is held for the first time in our country.
Bulgarian Ani Zlateva has been cultivating this breed for 15 years. While Sanita Ravina from Latvia creates with other materials besides sand. Even Greece, Hungary and Serbia have their representatives who give life to characters, situations and global phenomena through different earth and sand sculptures.

“The idea was for this space to come through a festival that has a mass, the re-dimensioning of the public space. We want to do good things for our country and put Velipoja on the world map where these giant festivals take place all over the world”

Sculptor Ardian Pepa, author of a series of monumental works, seems unconcerned that his work will not last forever, he works with the same passion, the sand sculpture of an Albanian woman, in traditional national clothing.

“I received the invitation with great pleasure. I want to try something new. We engaged students who also have experience in the technique, as it is a very new technique for Albania,” says the sculptor.

The Art Festival during 6 days will not only promote this alternative form of art, aiming to reach a wider audience, but also strengthen the relationship of citizens with nature and promote tourism in Velipoja.

/Klara Ruci/