Tirana mayor Erion Veliaj seems to be holding two contradictory stances with regards to the National Theater and the resistance of the artists against the “special” law that will transfer the public grounds and the building to construction company Fusha shpk. In Tirana, Veliaj seems willing to discuss and cooperate with the troupe, with the purpose of improving the city of Tirana. Outside the country, however, Veliaj puts on an entirely different face, accusing the actors of being capricious and unjustly demanding the irrational fulfillment of their every condition.
In Tirana, both before and following his meeting with the National Theater troupe, Veliaj stated:
Today’s meeting is a fantastic opportunity. We have invited all the parties, we will listen to everyone, those who have concerns, those who support us, and those who are still questioning.
I am very optimistic after our hearing with the actors, because tensions were lowered, we put aside old grudges, and turned a new page in this discussion.
Meanwhile, in Prizren, as he took part in an activity in the city’s old Lumbardhi movie theater, Veliaj demonstrated a completely different side:
What is the problem with the Theater? The problem is that people want to be spoiled: “why didn’t you ask me?” they say. They speak of cultural heritage. What cultural heritage is to be found in a place filled with rats, asbestos, and piss?
Ironically enough, Veliaj said this inside Prizren’s old movie theater, which the Kosovar authorities planned on tearing down a few years ago. It was precisely the overwhelming reaction of Prizren’s artists and citizens that rescued the old building from destruction, to see it transformed, today, in a tourist and cultural center.
