Anonymous Albanian Street Art Collective Çeta Confronts Neoliberal Politics in Tirana

In April 2016, the anonymous street art collective known as Çeta emerged in Tirana, Albania, as a result of conversations among students, activists, and artists who challenged capitalist systems. Comprising individuals from diverse backgrounds, the group employs wheat pastes and stencils to create politically motivated art. Their inaugural work, "Vojo Kushi is Still Alive," critiques neoliberalism by reinterpreting a painting by Sali Shijaku. Çeta has launched six projects that tackle themes such as urban displacement and unregulated food vendors, opposing Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj's 2015 initiative to beautify street art. Their anonymity highlights a shared accountability. An interview with Çeta members took place on August 9, 2016, and was published on October 4, 2016.