Albania demolishes Italian-built National Theatre in Tirana

On May 17, 2020, the National Theatre of Tirana, which opened in 1938 and was created by Giulio Bertè, was torn down by bulldozers. This theatre, a representation of Albania's modernization, had fallen into disrepair for two decades, even housing a bingo hall. A local businessman suggested a public-private partnership to build a new theatre in exchange for seven residential and commercial towers, a plan introduced by Bjarke Ingels but kept under wraps. The government portrayed this decision as a choice between progress and stagnation, enacting special legislation to circumvent legal challenges. Artists and activists occupied the theatre until 4 AM on the day of its demolition. Numerous architects are calling for its reconstruction "as it was, where it was," referencing Cesare Brandi’s theory. Bregasi cautions against cultural homogenization stemming from current development practices.