LEAD PARTNER
THE NATIONAL CENTER OF MEDITERRANEAN THEATRE
WHO IS AND WHAT MAKES
National Center of Mediterranean Theatre (NGO) established in Tirana Court Decision no. 2608 Date 16.09.1999 consists of a group of free and independent Albanian artists of scenic art and beyond, aimed at the promoting and integrating the Albanian Theatre to the European Theatre and vice versa. To undertake all the necessary initiatives throughout the country and abroad, NCMT has a large enough staff prepared professionally. Previous activities/experiences of the organization: “Organizing the editions of the International Theatre Festival “Butrinti 2000” “International activity of the faculties of dramatic art: “The Olive Branch”exchanging experiences in the actor skills teaching field. “Workshop of new elements of the stage and the contemporary theatre, like light technology, stage design and image. “Odisea 2003”. Peace ship which made a tour with artists from different countries of Mediterranean in different places of this peninsula. “Seminary, “Days of F. G. Lorca in Tirana”. “Theatres show” The forgetful history of Skanderbeg”, in cooperation with L’Aquila Theatre, Italy. “Participation in International festivals : Madrid Suds Festival; Bitef Festival, Belgrade; Artist’s spring Festival, Montpelier, France; “Plovdiv” Festival, Bulgaria; “Kiev” Festival, Ukraine; Sarajevo Winter Festival, Mot Festival, Macedonia, Moscow Chekhov Theatre Festival, etc.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
For many years The National Center of The Mediterranean Theatre, The Butrint National Park, Municipality of Saranda in collaboration with The Ministry of Culture, and other sponsors succeeded in creating a new cultural institution with special values. For 16 years and on this institution called The International Festival of Theatre “Butrinti 2000”, has presented its editions with much success. Many professional troupes, from different countries of World, Switzerland,England, Italy, France, Greece, USA, China, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia, Ukraine, Spain, Hungary, Netherland, Sweden, Macedonia, Kosovo, Germany, Russia, Georgia and Turkey h ave participated in this event. It is organized in one of the magnificent places of Mediterranean, in the Open Antique Theatre of Butrint, Saranda, and is appreciated from the participants, the invited people from the inside and outside the country. It is also appreciated from media, too, as an activity of European parameters. In the magic scene of Butrint have had the chance to perform nearly 7250 artist from the participating countries. The shows have been attended by nearly 70500 Albanian and foreign spectators. Within this activity with unique values for the country and the artistic community, will be organized other activities as: The competition and the picture show; Concerts and folk music,. At the same time, an important place shall take the debate tables on the Theatre issue, Cultural Tourism, Marketing and the real possibilities for the contacts among The International Festival of The Theatre “Butrinti 2000” and after 15 years the name is changed in ” BUTRINTI SUMMER FESTIVAL” with other European festivals. Held in the touristic season, there will be many foreign tourists. The festival is not simply an international festival of antique or classical theatre. It is a contemporary exploration of the theatrical possibilities of this ancient site. It promises discoveries about the origins of theatre, about the power of myth and poses questions about the meaning of theatre in our contemporary world. There is an extraordinary mixture of international theatre practitioners, figures from the Albanian cultural elite and local people, which perhaps are seeing theatre for the first time. All this elements make this festival stimulating and productive This event has already taken the integration passport, opening so a precious view to all the Albanian artists, by being in contact with the contemporary world theatre, also providing a direct help in the promotion of the cultural tourism. The goals and the objectives of the projects: The creation of space integration with the European cultures.
- Direct contribution in developing the cultural tourism.
- Confrontation of the composition with the contemporary theatre.
- Promoting the cultural tourism values of our country.
- Exchanging different experiences in the theatre field and elsewhere.
- Expanding the artistic activity by facing the artistic creativity of the Contemporary Theatres. The minorities as a valuable part of the Global Culture.
The expected results: A) The creation of a space integration in the European cultures. B) Direct contribution in developing the cultural tourism. C) Bring to attention of the international organizations engagement, concerning the development of the Albanian art, culture, tourism and archaeology. D) Showing the best traditional values of our country. E) Adding the numbers of the spectators. F) Promoting the best values of the new artists. Description of the activities (expected attendance, marketing campaign): The opening ceremony in Butrinti antique theatre or in Butrinti Hotel, participants, artists, cultural personalities, politicians, media, supporters of the Festival, ambassadors etc. The opening speech will be held by the President of the festival Minister of the Tourism, and by the Director of the festival. Every night performances in Butrinti antique theatre from different group participant in the festival, with high artistic level in their contents and in their direction. Attendance & Audience Profile The total project attendance.
The beneficiaries of this project are the following:
- The central Albanian government.
- The municipalities of Saranda, Vlora, Himara, Gjirokastra, tourist accommodation facilities, local services related to tourism, local artists, etc.
- In addition through this Festival young artists, students of the University of Arts, musicians, singers, composers, painters, set designers will be able to taste, knowledge of performing arts theater, the spectacle of the street, the music of folk, classical and easily combined with elements of cultural heritage. Developed in peak season it will give the opportunity to local and foreign tourists to enjoy a “cocktail” cultural
- Children, youth, seniors will be part of by virtue of the direct performances of street theater, other spectacles in the main squares of cities, live concerts in competitions and exhibitions of painting and photography.
- The benefits of this project related to the improvement of national image, to exchange experiences with foreign artists and multiple presentation of cultural values, human and historical
The partners of the project:
- Ministry of Torism
- Ministry of Culture
- “The National Park of Butrinti”
- “The International Institute of the Mediterranean Theatre of Madrid” Spain
- “NETA” (New European Theatre Action)
The Foreign Embassies in Tirana, Albania, etc.
The Butrint National Park
The area around the antique town of Butrint in southern Albania is not only home to several globally threatened species, but has also a rich cultural history, justifying its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The National Park comprises a high diversity of natural, semi-natural and artificial habitats, such as freshwater marshes, reed beds, Mediterranean forests and marquis, arable lands and fruit-tree terraces, as well as coastal waters with rocky and sandy coast, open saprophytic lands, etc. These habitats shelter a high diversity of animals and plants, including species of global and regional concern, which make the Butrint area one of the most important areas for biodiversity in Albania. The ancient town of Butrint was first proclaimed Cultural Monument in 1948; in 1999 it was registered in the World Heritage list of UNESCO; in 2003 the wetland complex, including a part of the lagoon and the coastal area of Butrint – Stillo Cape – was proclaimed a Ramsar Site and a National Park (Category II of the IUCN Protected Area Management Categories). Due to its importance for the preservation of archaeological and historical heritage, Butrint was designated in 1992 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cultural importance of the landscape and archaeological setting was recognized by the enlargement of the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation to incorporate an area of 2900 ha.