Our Man in Tirana

Apparently it's World Tourism Day and European Heritage Day. I only know this because the Ministry of Tourism, Culture Youth and Sports is organising a series of events to mark these. In Tirana, most of the events are taking place at the National Art Gallery on Thursday 29th. There is a exhibition of photographs running all day, and in the evening there is the 'Albanian Tourism Destination Mini-Fair'.

Ten years after Mother Tereza's death, Albania is holding a ten day celebration of her life , with a series of public events across the city. Large posters have appeared across the city marking the anniversary.

If Live Earth's line-up of ageing rockers isn't your thing you could always try the opera. Tomorrow and Saturday Verdi's famous opera Aida will be performed at the Theatre of Opera and Ballet in Skenderbeg Square. Here's an extract from an earlier performance. Thanks to Adrian for sending this.

There are quite a few concerts coming up in the next few days. There seem to be many more this summer than last. These three are the main ones for the next week. Tomorrow, 30 June, at the Dinamo stadium Schiller is playing with Alban Skenderaj. On 4 July there is a choice between Sean Paul at the Qemal Stafa stadium and Mustafa Sandal at the Dinamo stadium. I had never heard of either of these people so for anyone who is as uninformed as I was before I checked google, Mustafa Sandal is big in Turkey, and Sean Paul is, according to his website, 'the worldwide ambassador of dancehall reggae.'

We decided to visit the Beer Fest on Sunday to round off the busy weekend. After taking a walk up on Sunday afternoon to watch them setting up we went back that night with a few friends. A couple of things struck me. The youngest person I saw there was being carried around on his dad's shoulders; the oldest must have been about 70 or more, and there were lots of family groups out. The family whose table we joined, having heard us speaking English bought us a round of beer. Have I mentioned Albanian hospitality? The whole thing was managed by a handful of private security guards and 3 cops - very civilised. Getting ready for the evening session at Beer Fest on a very hot Sunday afternoon Open for business on Sunday evening Beer for only 50 Leke including Albania's best beer - Korca Dark Food Music

Thanks to Laura who sent some information on the Tirana Jazz Festival which starts tonight - 29 May - and runs until Saturday 2 June with performances every night. I'm not a big fan of jazz so I have no idea who most of the artists are, but that's probably all the more reason to go along to a few shows and find out. The venue for all performances is Lollipop on Rr. Pjeter Bogdani. You can read more about the festival at Moving Culture and in the festival booklet .

Yesterday's Daily Mail carried a lengthy story on the Gumball Rally that recently blighted Albania and the region by a reporter who was travelling in one of the cars.