During La Biennale di Venezia 2025, the Albanian Pavilion subtly and elegantly presents a large investigation into the historical and social context of Albania from an architectural perspective. The project examines how architecture participates in the construction of collective memory through the configuration of public space. Divided into three periods, the tour invites visitors to travel through the past, present and future of the country.
The chronological photographic collection covering two entire walls allows visitors to contextualise the history of Albania through two public projects, the Pyramid of Tirana and Skanderbeg Square. The film projected in the space, ‘The Albanian Calls’, intertwines interviews conducted via Zoom with 30 international architecture studios active in Albania. The 56 View-Master glasses look to the future, each one presenting the work of an international architecture studio currently working in the country.
With this proposal, the space translates complex research into a ludic and accessible installation without minimising its consistency, detailing the historical context, contemporary challenges and cultural influences on the architectural language of Albania.
Commissioner: Blendi Gonxhja, Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation
Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation Team: Lira Pipa, Adelina Greca, Odeta Rrapi, Anisa Pollo, Benida Kraja, Sonila Kora
Curator: Anneke Abhelakh
Project Manager: Alessandra Biscaro
Curatorial Assistance: Eva Marie Pobeda Ferrand
Graphic Design: Linda van Deursen
Spatial Design: Samuela Hidri & Guust Selhorst
Coordination Public Program: Adonel Myzyri & Andi Arifaj
Communication: Wolfgang Hockenjos
Film: Konstanty Konopinski & Anneke Abhelakh
Installation: VERLATO + ZORDAN architetti associati Green Spin Srl
Translations: Giacomo Raffaelli, Anjia Stroka
Printer: ALBDESIGN, Serigrafia CORES
Sponsors: This exhibition and public program have been made possiblewith the generous support of many anonymous sponsors, without whom the pavilion would have not been realized.
Technical Partners: Alpeta Agrotourism & Winery, AQSHF (Arkivi Qendror Shtetëror i Filmit / Albanian National Film Archive)
Mediators: Lisamaria Bellini, Mattia Biserni, Beatrice Buttari, Anita Favaro, Eva Malacchini, Carlotta Savio, Gloria Sfoggia, Klara Krzemkowska
Website: Edlir Velaj
