TIRANA, March 9 – Albania will be holding two weeks of events celebrating Francophone Spring, an annual traditional event celebrating French culture in several Albanian cities and riving culture each March.
This year’s events scheduled to be held from March 13 to 28 will focus on the digitalization era, at a time when smartphones dominate and culture is becoming more and more digital each day.
Music, cinema, theatre, exhibitions, conferences, dances, poetry, gastronomy and even wine tasting are some of the events which will be held in Tirana, Shkodra, Korà§a, Fier, Elbasan, Durres, Vlora, Saranda, but also smaller towns such as Permet, Gramsh, Bajram Curri .
Organized by the French Embassy in Albania and the French Alliance in cooperation with Albanian state institutions, the Francophone Spring events are expected to revive cultural life in Albania, further promoting the French culture and arts in the country which numbers thousands of French speakers.
French is a widely taught in Albanian schools, several of which have also established bilingual Albanian-French sections.
Albania has been a full member of the International Organization of Francophonie since 2006.
Francophone Spring events
“Canadian currency and culture” Exhibition
The “Canadian currency and culture” exhibition is an introduction to Canadian culture throughout symbols, history and places depicted. Multimedia, photos and texts in French, English and Albanian, collected by Blerina Berberi and Kevin Tummers will be showcased in this exhibition until April 1.
Opening: Tuesday, March 14, at 17:00
Dit’Art Cultural Centre, Tirana
Concert “Soirs de Grand Vent” – Zabo
“Soirs de grand vent” is a musical and poetical journey led by Zabo, a poet and composer. It is a tribute to nature and beauty, filled with hopes and laughter.
Tuesday, March 14, at 19:00
National Theatre, Tirana
Wednesday, March 15, at 12:30
Skampa Theatre, Elbasan
Saturday, March 18, at 19:00
Migjeni Theatre, Shkoder
The School for Wives
The first comedy on verses written by Molià¨re. Arnolphe, a wealthy fifty-two year old man, chooses Agnà¨s, a 17 year old girl to be his wife. According to him: if you pick a witty wife, your fate shall be in her hands; but should you choose to wed an idiot, your marriage will be free from worries or betrayal. Horace, his best friend’s son, returns home and unbeknownst Arnlophe’s plans, confides in him how he’s fallen in love with Agnà¨s.
Nothing seems to stop Arnolphe or Horace from trying to hold onto sweet Agnà¨s. Who will win her hand? Will marriage plans come to fruition? This classic farce reveals that perhaps youth and innocence are no assurance of plans for marital bliss, no matter how much effort is involved.
Theatrical Comedy by Molià¨re
National Experimental Theatre “Kujtim Spahivogli”
Wednesday, March 15, at 12:30
Concert Macaà´
Macaà´ is a Swiss pop-folk band created by Cyrielle Formaz and Pascal Vigolo, both guitarists and vocalists. Their repertoire includes dynamic and power folk, soft ballads, blues rhythm, Celtic elements and even rock. Now a quintet, Macaà´ will be playing in Tirana on Friday, March 17th.
Rockstock, Scanderbeg Square, Tirana International Hotel
Friday, March 17, at 21:00
