topic: | Arts |
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located: | Albania |
editor: | Katarina Panić |
The historic National Theatre in Tirana was demolished last Sunday despite the long-lasting protests to save the Italian occupation-era building, listed as an endangered monument.
"Sad day for cultural heritage in Albania. There is no democracy here. Only dictatorship," a student from Tirana wrote on his Facebook.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, early in the dawn, on the weekend, before the most severe measures were lifted, authorities sent bulldozers to destroy the structure. The police clashed with artists who have been conducting a nocturnal vigil to prevent the demolition, as well as with citizens and the opposition supporters who have been gathered at the site despite the lockdown.
"The most emotional protest I've ever been at. It's hurting to see the same actors and actresses who we loved on stage, now suffering and in tears in the streets," one citizen wrote on Twitter.
The authorities have repeatedly denied any violence occurred. Even when faced with a viral photo of a police officer with his boot on the head of a protester, they suggested that "it was not as bad as it seemed."
Albanian President Ilir Meta called the demolition "a moral crime that cannot be granted amnesty." The EU Delegation in Tirana stated the dialogue between authorities and civil society should have taken place before an irreversible decision was taken. Prime Minister Edi Rama said that protesters "don't love development" since he plans to modernise the capital.
Although his Socialist Party promised "the full rehabilitation of the National Theater according to European standards" in 2013 when they took to power, seven years later he stated, "that sawdust building was impossible to rehabilitate, and it was demolished 70 years too late." His plan now is to invest 30 million Euros in a new theatre building.
"After two failed attempts to demolish the theatre, once as the minister of culture and then as Tirana's mayor, Edi Rama finally fulfilled his ego with the third attempt. In Albania, we say 'e treta e verteta' (the third truth). Shame!" a young woman from Albania tweeted.
In an open letter released this week, a group of artists and cultural workers brought attention to what they deem the "artwashing" of Rama's politics. Namely, the prime minister is also a practising artist with exhibitions at venues including Marian Goodman Gallery in New York. They warn he rules by constantly suppressing the civil rights, press freedom and democracy.
Image by Leeturtle