10 events not to miss this October in Albania

The third edition of the Tirana Half Marathon is considered to be one of the major athletic events of the year. More than 2500 runners from 40 different states are signed up to participate, populating the capital with athletes of all ages. The prizes they will take home are worth mentioning. The champions, among both the male and female groups, will win €2500 while the first and second runners-up will each win €1500 and €1000, respectively. Good luck to all! The first week of October offers up the perfect chance to get a look at the contemporary Turbina Theater in Tirana. The play, entitled “Terror,” is directed by Gëzim Kame and includes several famous Albanian actors like Eva Alikaj, Yllka Mujo, Viktor Zhusti, among others. What will be the fate of an airplane pilot who took his 164 passengers towards their deaths in order to spare a stadium filled with 70 thousand sports fans from a plane crash? To reserve your seats, call 04 222 30 22 between 9:00 am-1:00 pm and 5:00-8:00 pm. The ticket costs 500 ALL. Enjoy the show! Tulla-Culture Center hosts a music and culture-filled picnic in a truly unique venue, the Venetian Bashtova Castle, where performers of all kinds will play music from the early evening until the lnext day. Don’t miss it! Çajupi Theater is indisputably one of the most important stages of Albanian art and culture. The well-known French opera is perhaps the most fitting one to see in the traditional town of Korça, otherwise known as Albania’s own “Little Paris.” This year sees the first edition of the trail run in the mountains of Voskopoja. The Wolf’s Path was created in such a way as to nicely combine three passions: nature, running, and active tourism. A total of three different distances comprise the entire race. The first distance is only 5 km with the second 10 km long and with over 400 meters of incline, which is considered a low to medium level of difficulty. The third distance is 21 km, with over 800 meters of incline, considered to be of a medium level of difficulty. Beyond the sheer love of sport of nature, this event supports a charitable cause, with the 1000 ALL fee for the 10 km and 21 km races benefitting those in need. What’s more is that there will be plenty of music, organic cooking, and other traditional offerings of the famous gastronomical area. For those leaving from Tirana: A bus will take you (free of charge) on Saturday at 11:00 am to Voskopoja. The return from Voskopoja to Tirana will be on Sunday at 4:30 pm. For more information, please email info@trailrunningalbania.com. Mark this event on your calendars! The “Ruth Wolf-Rehfeldt: Collages and Editions” Exhibit opens at 7:00 pm in the National Gallery of Arts in Tirana. The exhibit is curated by Sven Spieker and designed by Johanna Meyer-Grohbruegge. The German artist Ruth Wolf-Rehfeldt is especially well-known for her visual poetry. Do not miss it! From canoes to barbecues, to fishing and cycling, an adventure-filled day awaits you in Belsh. A weekend spent experiencing wild nature, exploring lakes, enjoying outdoor activities and sports, and tasting the wonderful traditional food of the area! To reserve a spot, click here. Atelier Nadar’s unique images will transport you to the France of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. Thanks to the collaboration with the Jeu de Paume National Gallery in Paris and several important institutions of French culture, you will have the chance to encounter at the Marubi Museum images that have left their strong imprints throughout the last few centuries. The exhibit is curated by Michel Poivert. FAB Gallery in Tirana invites you to experience the latest exhibit of the well-known Albanian painter Gazmend Leka. In the present case, his paintings center around the concept of “prayer.” If interested, visitors are welcome to see the exhibit from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. A perfect chance to see the newly built football stadium and enjoy its energetic atmosphere. You will get to witness Coach Christian Panucci’s team battle the national Jordanian team in this friendly scrimmage game.