An online petition addressed to President Ilir Meta, Prime Minister Edi Rama, and Tirana mayor to rebuild Albania’s National Theater “where it was and how it was” has received over 8,000 signatures so far.
The Albanian architect that launched the petition said that rebuilding the National Theater must become the primary objective for not only for Tirana’s actors and activists, but for the entire Albanian people. “Cultural and historical heritage is sacred and untouchable by the corruptive talons of politics,” the petition’s description states.
Albania’s National Theater building was illegally demolished in the early hours of May 17, and was followed by protests during which the police forcibly detained several activists and citizens.