PROGRAM
Calendar of Activities
Prime Minister’s Courtyard, Tirana
| 20:00 |
Welcoming Ceremony
An evening of Albanian hospitality with an open buffet, music & cinematic screenings.
*Invitation Only |
The Book Building, Scanderbeg Square, Tirana
A unique opportunity to connect international architects shaping Albania with the local community, fostering meaningful encounters and exchanges during the Open Day.
*Open to the Public (With Tickets)
| 08:00 – 08:30 |
Festival Opening
The doors open and the city steps in. A soft start to a day of stories, ideas, and shared presence.
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| 08:30 – 09:30 |
Garden Mock-up Exhibition
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Opening Session
“Changing a Culture: Towards a Grounded Practice”
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| 09:35 - 09:45 |
Main Moderator Speech
• Michiel van lersel
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| 09:45 - 09:55 |
Welcoming Remarks, Prime Minister Edi Rama
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| 09:55 – 10:10 |
Encounters (Key Speakers)
• Freek Persyn
• Reinier de Graaf |
| 10:10 – 10:40 |
Short Input (Pecha Kucha): What’s next for Albania and Tirana in terms of architecture and spatial development, and how to work towards a more grounded design practice in Albania?
See details |
| 10:40 – 10:45 |
Vox Pop
Spontaneous interviews across different venues and public spaces.
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| 10:45- 10:55 |
Pepper Interview
• Anneke Abhelakh
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| 10:55 – 11:00 |
Live Cello Performance
A live interpretation on the theme of reflection, performed by a cellist through an original composition.
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Session 2
“First Impressions: Working in/with Albania”
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| 11:00 – 11:10 |
Main Moderator Speech
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| 11:10 – 11:25 |
Encounters
• Winy Maas
• Stefano Boeri |
| 11:25 – 11:55 |
Short Input (Pecha Kucha): Hear reflections from foreign and local architects on designing in Albania, what challenged & surprised them, and how it reshaped their thinking.
See details |
| 11:55 – 12:00 |
Vox Pop
Spontaneous interviews across different venues and public spaces
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| 12:00 – 12:30 |
Panel Session A discussion for diverse perspectives, extending the stories shared on stage into a wider, thoughtful exchange.
See details |
| 12:30 – 12:40 |
Live Dancing Performance
A contemporary dance reinterpretation inspired by the sounds and movements of a construction site and its workers.
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| 12:40 – 14:30 |
Lunch Break
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Session 3
“Second Guesses: Lessons Learned”
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| 14:40 – 14:55 |
Encounters
• Alejandro Aravena
• Anupama Kundoo |
| 14:55 – 15:25 |
Short Input (Pecha Kucha): Personal stories of failures, near-misses, and misunderstood intentions, shared with honesty, humor, and reflection.
See details |
| 15:25 – 15:35 |
Pepper Interview
• Irida Shupo
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| 15:35 – 15:40 |
Vox Pop
Spontaneous interviews across different venues and public spaces.
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| 15:40 – 16:10 |
Panel Session: A discussion for diverse perspectives, extending the stories shared on stage into a wider, thoughtful exchange.
See details |
| 16:10 – 16:15 |
Live Performance
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Session 4
“Future Wishes: Looking Ahead”
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| 16:25 – 16:35 |
Pepper Interview
• Elena Reygadas
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| 16:35 – 16:50 |
Encounters
• Minsuk Cho
• Mikkel Frost |
| 16:50 – 16:55 |
Vox Pop
Spontaneous interviews across different venues and public spaces.
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| 16:55 – 17:25 |
Panel Session: A discussion for diverse perspectives, extending the stories shared on stage into a wider, thoughtful exchange.
See details |
| 17:25 – 17:35 |
Live Piano Performance
A unique musical interpretation of the theme of encounter, blending piano with the traditional voices of Iso-Polyphony.
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Closing Session
A final pause to reflect and close the day.
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| 17:35 – 17:45 |
Closing Remarks
• Michiel van lersel
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| 17:45 – 18:00 |
Closing Remarks, Prime Minister Edi Rama
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| 18:00 – 18:15 |
Quick Aperitivo
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| 18:15 – 19:00 |
Presentation of “Elements” by Davide Rapp
A 32-minute cinematic collage that reimagines architecture through over 500 film clips, revealing how everyday building elements shape our experience of space.
*In the Main Indoor Venue, Open for all |
| 19:10 – 23:55 |
Free Program
Networking & DJ Music in the Outdoor Exhibition
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| 20:30 – 23:55 |
Private Dinner, Vila No.30
A celebration of ALBAN–ITY through local food and meaningful exchange.
*Invitation Only |
Fish City, Elbasan
A quieter, more focused day dedicated to collaborative thinking, nature, and a final celebration of ALBAN–ITY.
*Invitation Only
| 08:30 – 10:00 |
Arrival & Breakfast
Arrive in nature and ease into the day with coffee and a light Albanian breakfast.
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| 10:00 – 11:00 |
Tour through Rozafa Castle
A guided walk through the natural surroundings and local heritage.
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| 11:00 – 13:30 |
Workshop 1
Join brainstorming sessions to dive into curated topics and begin shaping collective manifestos.
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| 13:30 – 16:00 |
Lunch Break
Enjoy an open-air lunch featuring fresh, local dishes in the relaxed surroundings of Fish City.
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| 16:00 – 18:00 |
Workshop 2
Finalize ideas, refine your group's vision, and prepare for presentation.
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| 18:00 – 20:00 |
Presentations & Panel
Groups present their manifestos, followed by a moderated panel with festival voices and a final keynote.
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| 20:00 |
Albanian Hospitality at Its Finest
Celebrate with shared dishes, drinks, and a live music performance gathering by the pool.
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Vila No. Red, Tirana
| 12:30 |
Survivors' Lunch
A parting table of food and reflection.
*Invitation Only |
