Albanian Actors Denounce Govt Plans For Theatre

Albania's government has come under fresh fire over a proposed law that will transfer the public property currently occupied by the National Theatre to a construction company, Fusha sh.p.k., in exchange for it erecting a new theatre building.

The government claims it is a solution to the problem of providing the National Theatre with a new home - but many artists say the new building will be worthless as a theatre.

On Sunday, activists noticed the new law on a government website designed for public consultation.

A protest group, the Alliance for the Protection of the National Theatre, immediately criticised it as unlawful. The group has protested repeatedly over the last months against government plans for the theatre, calling for the preservation of the existing building as part of Albania's heritage.

Arben Derhemi, an actor and one of those protesting over the government plan, denounced the proposal on Facebook.  

"We disagree!" he wrote. "How can public property be transferred to a private company without competition, outside public procurement or public-private partnership laws?" he asked, calling for renewed protests.

Protesting artists gathered at the National Theatre on Sunday night, joined by other citizens, after being alerted to the news of the proposal.

Mirush Kabashi, a veteran theatre actor, protested in verse. "This is a time fit for scoundrels; however, the National Theatre and Albania belong to us," he said.

Derhemi added: "We will never let it happens; they will have to pass over our bodies."

The opposition Democratic Party, meanwhile, called the plan "a typical act of clientelism" by the Socialist-led government of Edi Rama.

"The Ministry of Culture, violating the constitution, has...