Readers will know by now, that I have an enormous passion for street art and graffiti. I document as much as I can, where ever I travel to. One thing I was not expecting to find, especially such a proliferation of in this city, is public art. The amazing street art scene in Tirana is extraordinary.
Brief History
In the year 2000, mayor Edi Rama took office. He is an internationally recognized artist. Seeing his drab city, having just emerged from a severe communist dictatorship less than ten years prior, decided to make a change.
He painted the city. Only four years later, in 2004, Rama won the Worlds Best Mayor Award.
Whole Building Pieces
There is so much street art around the city, I wrote of the earlier work commissioned by Rama in another post. This one, will concentrate on the newer pieces I see that absolutely blow me away. Not only for their grandeur, but subject matter and vibrancy too.
These are the end caps, the normally unadorned ends of the five story apartment complexes that fill the city. Walking around, one will spot the older pieces, they are somewhat faded and even chipping with large flakes of paint.
But the newer ones, still unaffected by the strong Albanian summer sun and heat, those stand out like masterpieces. When I rounded a corner and saw the larger-than-life Image of Mother Teresa I was in awe. For years, an older piece was here, now gone forever, it is Teresa that takes centre stage.
Fun Fact, Mother Teresa was born in Albania. 😊
Smaller Paintings
In equal numbers to the larger ones, they are found here and there. Most seem to be older but with a charm all their own. Visitors might have to dig a little deeper to find these, but they are all over the city, adding character and charm.
Utility Boxes
Some cities I have visited have these wrapped in a decorative plastic cover, hiding their unattractive facades. Others simply leave them uncovered. Here in Tirana, it seems to be the case that artists have the freedom to paint what they like.
All sorts of subject matter, many with comic personalities and others with superheroes can be found around town. These here are my favourites that I discovered while wandering the streets of Tirana.
Statuary
The city I have seen the most statuary and public sculpture in has been Busan, South Korea. I’m here to say that Tirana gives them a run for their money. From a large and rusted abstract tail of a whale, to shiny new objects, there is just so much to be seen.
Large animals adorn the square with the Pyramid adding pops of colour to the vast space. A tall flame full of smiling faces is located at one side of Skanderbeg Square. A set of American and Albanian coins is at an intersection. I’m really not kidding when I say you never know what you will find around the next corner.
It has been a pleasure for me, almost a treasure hunt to explore the streets and find these beautiful pieces of public art. I am astounded by the quality, creativity and sheer number of murals here. If you are a lover of street art, Tirana should definitely be on your list of cities to visit.
