International Dance Festival in Tirana, 17 performances in 9 venues

The International Dance Festival of Tirana (IDFT) opens its fifth edition tomorrow, bringing from October 3 to 21 a rich programme of contemporary dance, Albanian and international artists and various artistic companies.

The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Blendi Gonxhja, announced today that this edition’s programme includes 17 performances in 9 different venues, strengthening artistic cooperation and cultural dialogue.

One of the important names of this edition is the choreographer of Albanian origin Angjelin Preljocaj, who will present his newest work, “Soulevement”, alongside the international companies.

An important role in the festival will also be played by the National Theatre of Opera, Ballet and the Folk Ensemble, which will host six artistic evenings, as well as present a co-production with the Kosovo Ballet.

The festival’s programme includes a wide range of dance forms, from classical and contemporary to urban forms, interweaving movement with music, theatre, projections and puppets.

The performances will take place on theatre stages, in public spaces and in various venues around the city, while part of the programme is also dedicated to children.

With the support of the European Union, the festival aims to create more space for artists and to bring contemporary dance closer to the public, turning Tirana into a space for dialogue, creativity and international cultural exchange.

“Neighbours from Motherland”, by Brigel Gjoka and Rauf “Rubberlegz” Yasit, opens the 5th edition of IDFT with a world premiere that is not only a dance performance about shared roots and identity, but also a historic cultural moment.

And for the first time, the ballet companies of Albania and Kosovo will share the same stage, in a collaboration that has been described as an important cultural moment for both countries.

The work will bring to the stage a narrative about shared roots, identity and the relations between Albania and Kosovo; beyond the artistic dimension, the union of the two ballet companies in a joint production also constitutes a special event, which will take place on October 3 and 4 at the Tirana Theatre, while on October 7 the performance will be presented at the National Theatre of Kosovo.

The fifth edition of the International Dance Festival of Tirana (IDFT) comes under the artistic direction of the world-renowned Albanian-French choreographer Angjelin Preljocaj, and its mission is to develop the contemporary dance scene in Albania and to position Tirana as a centre of this art in the region.