Minister Gashi: Special care and full coordination for the activities of independent institutions of culture

Minister Kujtim Gashi met with executives of the Network of Independent Institutions of Art and Culture (NIIAC), led by the executive director Albert Heta, and other members, Professor Fadil Hysa, director Fatos Berisha and Sali Shoshi of CHwB.

The meeting discussed the cultural situation in the country and how it can be improved and cultural activities in Albania and abroad to be presented as best as possible. In this regard, Minister Gashi offered his full personal readiness but also that of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports to work together so that cultural policies and their implementation can make culture to have its own role and place of merit in the country and on the international cultural scene. "The ministry will be the right address for culture support and it will be an open door for genuine cooperation in the interests of culture and support of values" the minister said.

The Minister appreciated the work done by the institutions and independent cultural organizations, being an important factor that keeps the culture alive in our country, and that in cooperation with the national institutions, starting with the MCYS, fulfill the mosaic so that culture is complete.

He said that he will maximally engage in increasing the budget for the field of culture, especially subsidizing cultural projects, despite the MCYS having a lot of obligations, but with a co-ordination of work, goals and objectives will be achieved.

On his part, the Executive Director of NIIAC, Albert Heta, on behalf of the network he leads, congratulated the minister Gashi and wished him success and also thanked him for his readiness to deal with the independent cultural scene in the way it deserves and for offering cooperation.

He said that MCYS will be open to greater cooperation with civil society, especially in the field of culture, so that people who deal with culture and cultural community should not be considered as people who need help but treated with dignity.

Meanwhile, director Fadil Hysaj said that he feels pleased to hear about the minister's readiness for a new cooperative energy. He encouraged the minister to support genuine cultural values and elites so that Kosovo's culture in general would show its role in society, influencing both economic development and a greater impact of Kosovo's international promotion. "If we want to have a creative Kosovo, creativity should be subsidized. When experience and talent get together, success will be ensured", said Hysaj.

The meeting also discussed a number of other issues such as co-ordinating the parties on the issue of UNESCO, applying to all Creative Europe programs, possibility of creating a unique fund for culture and art, and creating a National Council for Art and Culture that would monitor and advise on cultural policies in Kosovo.