Kosovo’s National Theatre and nine other theatres across the country have suspended their shows in solidarity with Albania’s National Theatre that was demolished by the government in early morning hours on Sunday.
“The theatre has existed before us and will exist eternally,” they stated in their short announcement of the decision.
Civil society members in Kosovo have called for a rally on Sunday at 5pm in front of the National Theatre in Prishtina.
They called the demolition a “bandit-like action” that included detention and violence against at least 37 artists, journalists and activists.
Emphasizing the more than two-year-long protest against the demolition, Kosovo’s artists and civil society reminded that the building was selected by Europa Nostra as one of the 7 Most Endangered sites in Europe.
“Earlier today, the Alliance for the Protection of the Theater called for a protest in Tirana, while hundreds of citizens have already gathered in the area around the Theater.
In solidarity with their three-year effort, today at 5 pm we will gather in front of the National Theater of Kosovo, to express our indignation with this unmatched arrogance and our opposition to the action of the Albanian Government and the City of Tirana,” Jeton Neziraj, former artistic director of Kosovo’s National Theatre announced.
He invited everyone to join the rally in Prishtina, while making sure that they follow social distancing guidelines.
