More than 45 precious icons from the collection of the National Museum of Medieval Art in Korçë are being presented to the French public for the first time at the Museum of Fine Arts in Chambéry, as part of the exhibition “Icons of Albania.” The exhibition showcases an important part of Albania’s cultural and artistic heritage, offering visitors the opportunity to discover the values of iconographic art preserved through the centuries. Through this initiative, not only are th

The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports, Blendi Gonxhja, and the mayor of Korçë, Sotiraq Filo, visited the building of the Archaeological Museum of Korçë, which has undergone restoration. The restoration works have been completed and the site is now ready to welcome visitors. The Archaeological Museum of Korçë is located in the historic house of Fani Pjasta, one of the city’s buildings with special cultural heritage value. Minister Gonxhja stated that, in cooperation with

June 6 – International Carnival Festival in Korçë: celebration, tradition, and identity. Summer is coming… and with it, events that give the city life and identity. The International Carnival Festival of Korçë continues a remarkable tradition that identifies the city with celebration, art, and urban vibrancy. Parades with costumes, music, colors, and festive energy turn Korçë into an open stage, where the community and visitors come together to experience an event with strong

Today he lights 99 candles of life… One of the most beloved icons of the Albanian stage, Koço Qendro, the artist who for decades gave the public humor, emotion, and true art. With hundreds of roles in theatre and cinematography, he remains a name that never ages in the memory of Albanians. From the stage of Korçë to films we have watched with love across generations, Koço Qendro continues to be a symbol of talent, dedication, and nobility in Albanian art. Happy 99th birthday,

Pogradec Castle remains one of the most important historical and tourist attractions in southeastern Albania, attracting local and foreign visitors every year who are interested in history, culture, and its unique panorama. Edi Rama today shared images on social media from the Castle of Pogradec, located above the city on the southwestern side of Lake Ohrid. The fortress dates back to the 5th century BC. The Castle of Pogradec has become a preferred destination for tourists,

Dash Shehi has shared the story of the great composer Aleksandër Lalo, to show how little artists in Albania are valued by the state. “Corruption worth millions is happening. Billions are disappearing. Aleksandër Lalo, who was a friend of mine, used to say a couple of things about art. Once I asked him, ‘Sandër, are you doing anything?’ He said, ‘No, Dash.’ ‘Why aren’t you doing anything?’ He said: music is like fruit, it is eaten after bread. This people needs bread. He reti

Summer is coming… and with it, events that give the city life and identity. June 6: International Carnival Festival in Korçë | Celebration, tradition, and civic identity. One of the most important festivals of the year, the Korçë Carnival continues a remarkable tradition that identifies the city with celebration, art, and urban vibrancy. Parades with costumes, music, colors, and festive energy turn Korçë into an open stage, where the community and visitors come together to ex

Korçë is being described as one of Europe’s “hidden” destinations, a safe, affordable, and increasingly attractive place for tourists seeking authentic experiences. Just a walk through Korçë is enough to notice the atmosphere of a typical Mediterranean city: cobblestone streets, tiled roofs, and old neighborhoods that resemble labyrinths. During the warmer months, people fill the squares, drink coffee under umbrellas, and enjoy the city’s calm rhythm. In the background, gentl

As part of cooperation with Chambéry, a French delegation composed of experts in tourism, regional development, and Alpine natural parks conducted a tour of several villages with high tourism potential in the Korçë region. During the field visits, natural landscapes, cultural heritage, and opportunities for creating a more structured, authentic, and year-round tourism offer were closely assessed. Discussions focused on: – developing local products – empowering communities and

In the city of Korçë, the first edition of the Nationwide Festival of Lyrical Singers of high schools “Tefta Tashko Koço” has concluded. The Chairman of the Korçë Regional Council, Petrika Tollkuçi, described this festival as the revival of a beautiful memory of the city of Korçë, a time when this stage was filled with emotion, artistic discipline, and young voices singing with rare passion. In the 1980s, such lyrical performances were highly anticipated events, where audienc

In Korçë, interest in restoring houses that are over 100 years old has increased significantly in recent years. Many of these buildings are being converted into guesthouses for both local and foreign tourists, while others continue to be used as family homes. During restoration, owners take care to preserve original architectural elements such as wooden gates, doors, and windows. Engjëll Bregu, a woodwork restorer, says that in recent years demand for the restoration of tradi

On the very day the world marks International Book Day, sad news comes from the Albanian world of knowledge, as it is reported that the well-known academic Rexhep Qosja has passed away. Rexhep Qosja, author of more than thirty books of literary studies and criticism, artistic prose, short stories, novels and dramas, journalism and polemical writings, died at the age of 89. The news was announced by his family, who stated in a notice that he was laid to rest in the presence of

In the premises of the Children’s Cultural Center “Andrea Balli” in Bilisht, the first introductory meeting of the project “Story Window: Read, Write, Share” was held. This project, implemented in cooperation with the organization “Literary and Cultural Activism,” with the support of the Municipality of Devoll and the participation of local 9-year and secondary schools, aims to encourage a love of reading and creativity among young people. During the meeting, participants wer

Domestic and foreign tourists who visit Korçë throughout the year do not leave without also visiting the National Museum of Medieval Art, a unique treasure with one of the largest collections of icons in the Balkans. This museum preserves a valuable heritage, reflecting an extraordinary cultural wealth. It was opened on April 26, 1980 in Korçë, with an initial fund of around 6,000 icons collected from across Albania. Today, the museum manages 8,265 objects, of which 6,400 are

The well-known actress Mariana Kondi looks back in time to recount her long journey in art, a path where passion has turned into a mission. With decades on stage and screen, she speaks about her beginnings, the roles that have marked her, and the sacrifices she has made to fully dedicate herself to acting. For Kondi, art is not simply a profession, but a way to speak to people about the deepest human emotions—love, life, and time. In this interview for “Panorama,” the actress

From Ilda Lumani The phone rings five times… Viktor doesn’t answer! I send him a message. He replies immediately. “Let’s talk about everything, just not about an interview. Okay?” “What about the weather?” I tell him… After a week, when the interview had also been completed and he, being very meticulous, brings it to me handwritten (because this time even the computer had been capricious like him), he says almost in a commanding tone, with his smile that doesn’t let you fully

“Korça Carnival” in Athens Together with our fellow compatriots in Athens, we shared the joy, tradition, and music that unite us as one big Korça family. It was an evening full of color, emotion, and pride, where hearts beat in the same rhythm far from our homeland, yet always with Korça in our hearts. Gratitude to the “Skënderbeu” Ensemble for proudly bringing the spirit of our city. Tradition keeps us connected. Culture brings us together. “KORÇA BOOM”

Today, Roza Dhami, one of Pogradec’s most beloved voices, celebrates 80 years of life. Born on February 22, 1946, in Pogradec into a family with deep roots in folk music, she grew up surrounded by the sounds that would later shape her artistic identity. She began her career in 1965 with the Artistic Ensemble of the House of Culture in Pogradec and, in 1968, became a professional singer at the city’s Estrada, where she contributed until her retirement in 1990. Her name is clos

Korçë at Tourism Fair Albania 2026 | Day One Korçë is part of TFA 2026, the fair that brings together professionals, visionaries, and key industry players to share ideas, build partnerships, and promote sustainable tourism while attracting more visitors. On the first day of the fair, Korçë is presented as a destination with a strong identity, showcasing its nature, culture, traditions, events, and authentic experiences that make southeastern Albania a unique choice for visito

Panajot and Boni Hamzallari are two young brothers from Korçë who are standing out for their talent in music. Both play the guitar and sing, and during the holiday season they performed on the stage at the Old Bazaar of Korçë, creating a lively atmosphere for visitors who chose to spend time in the southeastern region. They say they have been singing for a long time, although they see their future outside of Korçë due to limited opportunities. “We have been singing and perfor