From July 8 to 12, the capital city will host Egyptian Cultural Week — an event expected to bring to Tirana the vibrancy, mystique, and millennia-old heritage of Egyptian civilization.
The week will feature a variety of activities including traditional dance, performance art, authentic cuisine, and contemporary cinema. Each day will offer a unique experience for the public, creating a cultural bridge between Albania and Egypt.
Festivities will begin on July 8 at the “Tonin Harapi” hall at the “Jordan Misja” Artistic Lyceum, with a captivating tanoura performance — a traditional Sufi dance where the performer spins continuously in colorful robes, creating a mesmerizing visual and spiritual effect. This performance will be repeated on July 9 in Skanderbeg Square in an open-air setting, bringing the hypnotic energy of the tanoura to a broader audience. For those who miss the first two shows, a final tanoura performance will take place on July 10 at 19:00, again at the “Tonin Harapi” hall.
On July 11, attention will shift to the entrance hall of the Pyramid, where an Egyptian food festival will begin at 18:00.
Visitors will have the opportunity to taste a variety of authentic Egyptian dishes, from popular street food like koshari to famous desserts such as basbousa.
Later that evening, at 21:00, the psychological thriller The Blue Elephant will be screened at the “Reja” installation. Directed by Marwan Hamed, the film follows a psychotherapist working in a psychiatric hospital who is confronted by a disturbing past, blurring the line between reality and illusion.
On July 12, also at “Reja” on the “Dëshmorët e Kombit” boulevard, the week will conclude with the screening of the film Diamond Dust at 21:00. The film centers on a pharmacist who seeks revenge after uncovering the brutal murder of his father.
All events will be free and open to the public.
This cultural week is part of the International Cultural Weeks initiative, supported by the Ministry of Economy, Culture, and Innovation, and aims to bring Albanian audiences closer to the cultures of countries from around the world.
