Mimoza Ahmeti at ‘Za Fest’: Shkodra challenges you with its wit, tradition, and wisdom

In the premises of the Historical Museum of Shkodra, the tenth edition of the ‘Za Fest’ festival has begun, celebrating a decade of success as one of the most prominent cultural events in northern Albania.

The first night of this jubilee was dedicated to the written word, where writer Rita Petro and poet Mimoza Ahmeti brought to the attendees meditations on poetry, creativity, and the obstacles facing Albanian literature today.

Expressing her delight at the invitation, Mimoza Ahmeti emphasized the inseparable bond between literature and music. According to her, poetry, as the most delicate expression of thought, expands the boundaries of language, while music communicates beyond words. She described Shkodra as an environment that challenges you at every step: with the intelligence of its residents, with pure Albanian, with architectural heritage, and with that noble restraint that has preserved the city’s harmony. Ahmeti added that there you truly enjoy yourself, but at the same time feel a kind of responsibility to reason, perceive, and articulate profound thoughts, because the people of Shkodra are distinguished by their wisdom.

Rita Petro hailed this jubilee as a notable achievement, highlighting that festivals that build tradition create a new spiritual community. At a time when the digital world isolates us, such events bring us back together physically, becoming like a great table of brotherhood. She described the festival as a quiet revolution, where everyone finds their place through music, verse, and creativity. For her, it is essential that ‘Za Fest’ in Shkodra gives voice to individual freedom, especially when so many young people are involved.

In honor of the tenth anniversary, the organizers screened a summary documentary that brought back to memory precious fragments of the festival’s journey, from its start in Theth to its transformation into an important crossroads where art, culture, and the natural landscape meet.

The opening evening’s activity was crowned with a recital by singer Linda Rukaj, who brought the first night to a close with artistic notes.

‘Za Fest’ will continue over the coming days with a rich calendar of activities that intertwine sounds, literature, and visual arts, gathering in Shkodra creative figures from Albanian territories and neighboring countries.