The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, commemorated the 80th anniversary of the founding of the National Theatre of Kosovo, describing this institution as one of the main pillars of cultural life and performing arts in the country.
During his speech on this anniversary, Kurti said that the theatre’s history began in Prizren in 1946, and later continued in Prishtina. According to him, over the years an important theatrical tradition was created there, which was passed on, developed, and enriched by numerous generations of artists.
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The Prime Minister emphasized that the institution’s journey has also been accompanied by difficulties, especially during the 1990s, when Albanian artists were expelled from institutions and faced restrictions on creative freedom. Nevertheless, he said that the desire to create and keep culture alive was never extinguished.
Kurti described the 80th anniversary as a moment to honor not only the history of the National Theatre of Kosovo, but also all the people who founded it, kept it alive, developed it, and continue to carry it forward.
In his speech, the Prime Minister addressed the director of the National Theatre of Kosovo, Kushtrim Mehmeti, the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Saranda Bogujevci, the chief executive of the Post of Kosovo, Nora Raci, representatives of institutions, artists, the theatre community, and all those present.
He said that this stage, over the course of eight decades, has brought works and performances that have left a mark on Kosovo’s culture, while creating a special relationship with the public.
Kurti expressed gratitude to the entire theatre community of Kosovo, including actors, directors, playwrights, set designers, costume designers, musicians, as well as technical and administrative staff.
He praised their talent, inspiration, work, and dedication, emphasizing that the contribution of these professionals has enabled the continuity and advancement of the theatre over the years.
The Prime Minister declared that preserving this heritage and creating conditions for the further development of the institution are a shared responsibility. According to him, over seven million euros are being invested in the National Theatre of Kosovo.
With the completion of the works, the aim is to give the theatre a renewed appearance and significantly better conditions, while preserving its authenticity. Kurti stressed that the National Theatre is not only a space of art, but also part of the country’s cultural heritage.
He added that the Government of the Republic of Kosovo and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism will continue to support artistic creativity and the development of cultural institutions.
According to Kurti, the goal is for the theatre to remain an open stage for new ideas, young artists, and the public. He said that by making culture as artistic as possible and art a part of society’s culture, the public sphere is transformed into an open school for the aesthetic education of citizens.
The Prime Minister placed the theatre at the center of this process, describing it as the art that best teaches and examines each person’s relationship with others, as well as the return of the individual to oneself.
“Eighty years are a precious history, but also a responsibility for the future,” Kurti said.
In conclusion, he congratulated the 80th anniversary of the National Theatre of Kosovo and wished the institution many more decades ahead, great successes, quality creativity, and as many beautiful encounters with the public as possible.
Kurti ended his greeting with the wish that the public remain humane, and that the people to whom the theatre speaks become its audience, saying: “Congratulations and thank you!”
