Returning with Insistence
November 27–30, 2025, 7pm
As Gertrude Stein famously stated almost a century ago, “repetition is not repetition. It is insistence.” With that in mind, we would like to welcome you to the second edition of Tirana Art Weekend, where we come united once again not out of habit, but out of conviction.
Here we are again, insisting. Insisting that the narrative of contemporary Albanian art be written on its own terms and shared with the world. Insisting that the quality of our creative output is not a fleeting moment but a sustained, undeniable force. Insisting that in a world of division, solidarity within our artistic community is our greatest strength. We are insisting that our chorus of voices which for too long and for factors out of our control remained muted or dissonant, can from now on resonate on a global stage. So what is the message, bursting out of our megaphone? Our answer is not a single, monolithic message, but a polyphonic ensemble...
This November, Tirana speaks with a multitude of voices, representing the rich diversity and unique timbre of the local art scene. Across the city, a constellation of 33 exhibitions and events awaits; the largest and most ambitious edition of Tirana Art Week to date. From independent institutions to artist-run spaces, you will discover a network of local pioneers, vital regional collaborators, and influential international artists. Together, they form the living tissue of our capital's art scene, each one having contributed a crucial note to the city’s collaborative song.
The central hub of Tirana Art Weekend is the headquarters of the Institute for the Integration of Former Political Victims, housed in a newly restored early 20th-century villa. The location will feature initiatives without a permanent venue or based outside Tirana, while the city’s exhibition and project spaces will coordinate openings throughout the weekend.
Participants include the Albanian Cinematheque, Art House, Art Kontakt, Bazament Art Space, Berk, Destil Creative Hub, Ekrani i Aritit, GADK, Galeria e Bregdetit, Minus Art Space, Off Season Artist Residency, Pararoja, Prag Space Collective, s t r a y stars, Satellite Zone, Tek Bunkeri, Tirana Art Lab, and Tulla Culture Center amongst others. A satellite program expands to locations like Agimi Art Center, Galeria Artit Tiranë, Galeria FAB, Khrais—Tërshana, Space05, Vila31, and 18 Stories.
Artists include Silva Agostini, Jasmina Al-Qaisi, István Antal, Djellza Azemi, Sonja Azizaj, Bora Baboçi, Erjon Baculi, Samela Balazi, Enric Fort Ballester, Laura Bezati, Nikolin Bujari, Kessy Buqeza, Nora Bzheta, Pediona Dautaj, Gentian Doda | was bleibt kollektiv, Anna Ehrenstein, Paula Fraile, Gentian Gjikopulli, Yllka Gjollesha, Blerta Haziraj, Blerta Hoçia, Renis Hyka, Jon Jost, Genc Kadriu, Erdiola Kanda, Denisa Kasa, Venera Kastrati, Xhanfise Keko, Anastas Kostandini, Ledia Kostandini, Mariana Kostandini, Jona Krasniqi, Diona Kusari, Lori Lako, Sem Lala, Olsi Lelaj, Adriaan Lokman, Enxhi Mehmeti, Xhulian Millaj, Anita Muçolli, Blerti Murataj, Violana Murataj, Elsamina Musiq, Elsaida Musiq, Fatmir Mustafa-Karllo, Ilva Nelaj, Erald Nezaj, Antonio Ottomanelli, Adrian Paci, Luiza Pershqeva, Genny Petrotta, Nikolas Pipero, Dionis Prifti, Leonard Qylafi, Urani Rumbo, Anri Sala, Irgin Sena, Vesa Shahini, Endi Shani, Olga Shcheblykina, Abi Shehu, Dea Shubleka, Ildi Stafaj, Anja Stroka, Rosela Tarja, Ridge Telegrafi, Lorin Terezi, Trivet, Renid Tosuni, Ilir Tsouko, Igli Uruçi, Jozefina Vokrri, Gerta Xhaferaj, Mauro Zaçe, Driant Zeneli, and Zgjim Zyba. A new curatorial platform is also introduced, featuring positions selected by the curator Arnold Braho.
This edition also launches the annual collaboration under the banner AVAN x GKA Artist Commission. Through this initiative, a work by an Albanian artist is annually commissioned and added to the collection of the National Gallery of Arts. This year’s edition features a newly created work by Gentian Shkurti.
“We invite you to wander, to look, and to listen. To witness an entire city become a stage for our shared, unwavering, and joyful vigour. Tirana Art Weekend comes as a platform, a celebration, and a collective statement of purpose. We invite you to be part of our insistence.” adds Elian Stefa, Director of the Albanian Visual Arts Network.
For media information and professional accreditation: Nicola Jeffs, nj@nicolajeffs.com.
