Construction of new national theatre kicks off

Authorities in Albania on Wednesday have started construction works for the new national theater, after the demolition of the old one over two years ago.

During the ceremony to mark this important event, Prime Minister Edi Rama said "this project goes beyond a good theatre for Albania".

Minister of Culture, Elva Margariti said the new national theatre will restore dignity to artists.

Meanwhile, Tirana mayor, Erjon Veliaj said the capital now needs such space.

The demolition of the old national theatre triggered many anti-government protests two years ago. Political activists and artists campaigned to save the 1930s theatre as an architecturally significant and historically important building for the Albanian capital. Albania's prime minister Edi Rama, who has been in power since 2013 and was previously mayor of Tirana, has lead the drive to replace the old theatre, which had fallen into disrepair.