The Mediums Festival brought contemporary theatre to the forefront of cultural life in Tirana through a regionally curated, artist-driven platform dedicated to experimentation, collaboration, and dialogue. Designed to amplify critical voices and elevate the regional performing arts scene, the 2025 edition of the festival gathered diverse artists and audiences around pressing social themes such as gender-based violence, inequality, identity, and human rights.
The project began with the development of a distinctive visual identity, including a playful logo, full brand book, and promotional materials, all designed to capture the festival's progressive spirit. A regional open call attracted 15 applications from 8 countries (including Serbia, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Italy, Germany, Turkey, and Albania). Four standout performances were selected: Cowboy, Tea Ceremony / Geisha, 8%?, and How I Learned to Drive. Each performance contributed a unique lens to the festival’s thematic scope, from solo autobiographical storytelling to documentary theatre addressing systemic discrimination. A collaborative curatorial process ensured artistic excellence and relevance.
In addition to performances, thematic discussions and workshops shaped the festival’s structure. A key brainstorming session brought together actors, students, directors, and curators to determine the overarching artistic direction, while international collaborations with institutions such as Heartefakt Foundation (Serbia) and acclaimed artists like Lee Delong (France/USA), further enriched the festival program. The festival took place across four venues in Tirana: the National Theatre, Metropol Theatre, Experimental Theatre "Kujtim Spahivogli," and the Center for Openness and Dialogue (COD), with audiences ranging from 150 to 250 people per performance. Post-show open discussions allowed for deep engagement between the artists and audiences. Mediums Festival succeeded in showcasing cutting-edge theatre, fostering new regional connections, and establishing Tirana as a hub for contemporary performance in the Western Balkans.
Implementing partners: MAM Foundation (Albania), Kontakt (Bosnia & Herzegovina).
Festival of Contemporary Theatre Tirana (Mediums) project was supported by the British Council through the “Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans” project, funded by the European Union. CC4WBs aims to foster dialogue in the Western Balkans by enhancing the cultural and creative sectors for increased socio-economic impact.