The Austrian Albanian Society joins the ranks of NGOs and international actors that have condemned the Albanian government’s demolition of the National Theater.
In a letter addressed to the Albanian Minister of Culture Elva Margariti, President of Austrian Albanian Society and former Austrian ambassador to Albania Arno Riedel communicated the Society’s regret at the government’s inability to find a consensual solution and preserve the building as national cultural heritage. The letter also condemned the use of force by police during the demolition and reminded the Minister of Austria’s extensive aid for the maintenance and renovation of cultural and historical sites in Albania.
It lamented the fact that it is too late for the National Theater building, which is now lost, and expressed frustration at the government’s refusal or inability to find solutions by way of dialogue and compromise.
