The lack of space, institutional support, and technical infrastructure is hindering the creativity of Albanian music and film artists.

This concern was raised during an event held at the House of Europe, focused on the interaction between contemporary Albanian music and cinema.

Harlen Nikolli emphasized the absence of physical spaces, pointing out that orchestras no longer perform compositions by Albanian authors, which has led to a decline in the interest to compose.

“We lack physical spaces. In the case of music, it’s very difficult because the spaces provided by institutions are entirely reserved for those institutions,” said Nikolli.

Meanwhile, director Lorin Terezi noted that a key issue in their field is the lack of independence and the burden of bureaucracy, sharing his personal experience while making a film.

“In 2021 I finished filming in January. I felt like I was in a prison — the kind where you’re filming all year — and from being an artist, you turn into someone who just sends emails,” said Terezi.

The event also opened discussions about finding solutions to this situation, so that culture in Albania is no longer defined by absence, and a path can be found to nurture authenticity and experimentation.