The showcase of Kosovo/Albanian theatre will take place in Tirana between 29th October-2nd November and feature work by Blerta Neziraj and Davide Iodice, among others
This year, the Kosovo Theatre Showcase, which for the past six editions has taken place in Prishtina, will be held in Tirana, Albania. For this 7th edition, the showcase, organized by Qendra Multimedia, will be presented in cooperation with the National Theatre in Tirana and National Experimental Theatre of Albania and will feature a programme of Kosovar and Albanian artists as well as work from neighbouring countries including Serbia.
The showcase will take place between 29th October and 2nd November and, over the course of five days, the programme will include 11 performances, along with several workshops and panel discussions.
The showcase opens on October 29 with the play Sajza Flower, produced by the National Experimental Theater “Kujtim Spahivogli” in Tirana, which will be performed at Arturbina. Supported by the Institute of Studies on Crimes and Consequences of Communism in Albania, Sajza Flower is a documentary-theatre piece based on the personal stories of survivors from the Tepelena camp, as well as writings by Agron Tufa and Lekë Pervizi, and research by Kastriot Dervishi.
The Opening Reception of the KS/ALB Theater Showcase will take place at Arturbina on the same day at 7:00 PM, featuring a performance by the Bashkimi Polyphonic Band. The evening will conclude with the premiere of Faust, directed by Davide Iodice and produced by the National Theater of Albania.
On 30th October, an outdoor performance titled Orlando Does Not Sound the Horn: Myth and Legend of Ottavio Bottecchia, produced by Teatro della Pergola and Qendra Multimedia, will be presented at Arturbina. This will be followed by Six Against Turkey, written by Jeton Neziraj, directed by Blerta Neziraj, and produced by Qendra Multimedia. The play tells the story of the arrest and deportation of six Turkish teachers from Kosovo following the 2016 coup.

Sajza Flower, National Experimental Theater “Kujtim Spahivogli”
On 31st October, there’s a chances to see The Internationals, produced by Between the Seas: Mediterranean Performance Lab (Athens) and written by Jeton Neziraj. This will be presented at Tulla Culture Center. The narrative explores the creation of Kosovo through 22 satirical vignettes centred on the Hague prosecutor Carla Del Ponte, highlighting the political games behind sovereignty and the struggles of ordinary people.
Later, at Arturbina, White People by US playwright Steven Leigh Morris, directed by Besim Ugzmajli, will be shown. The play highlights the tension between historical racial dynamics and contemporary issues of diversity. The night will close with The Traitor’s Niche, produced by the National Theater of Kosovo and directed by Kushtrim Koliqi.
On 1st November, there will be a production of Paula Vogel’s How I Learned to Drive produced by Belgrade-based company Heartefact, at the Tulla Culture Center. The same day, Arturbina will feature The Concert, directed by Giacomo Pedini and produced by the National Experimental Theater “Kujtim Spahivogli,” and a production by Anton Zako Çajupi Theater in Korça, Vassa Zheleznova where Gorky portrays a dysfunctional family, led by a ruthless mother, whose quest for control and wealth leads to isolation, destruction, and a loss of identity among its members.
On the final day of the showcase, two projects will be presented: Money Machine, and Queens of the Night Club. And the night concludes with Tartuffe, directed by Qëndrim Rijani and produced by the City Theater of Gjilan, Kosovo.
This year’s program also features three panel discussions: Theater Landscape in Post-Communist Albania, Theater in Public Space, and Theater Introspection: Dealing with Our Own Demons. Additionally, a Theatre Market event will be held, showcasing upcoming projects and featuring a series of readings of new plays.
This year, there will also be also an International Playwrights Workshop led by UK playwright Mark Ravenhill, offering participants the chance to explore post-communist identities and societies through playful and innovative theatre forms, examining the intersection of past, present, and future. Additionally, the Kosovo Albania Theater Showcase will also host the EURODRAM meetings.
Main image: Six Against Turkey
For more information visit Qendra.org
Further reading: Six Against Turkey: A parable about the degradation of democracy
Further reading: review of Sajza Flower
Flamur Dardeshi is a freelance writer based in Tirana. He has contributed in the areas of translation, analysis, and poetry. His main fields of interest are literature, cinematography, and theatre.