Meet the two Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue 2025
Tiranë
Tirana - Albania
الإسكندرية
Alexandria - Egypt
TIRANA, ALBANIA
At the heart of the Balkans and a crossroad of civilisations, Tirana stands as a living testament to the coexistence of cultures, religions, and historical influences across the Mediterranean. The city’s commitment to the richness of its heritage while fostering meaningful collaboration with its partner city, Alexandria, makes Tirana the perfect first Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue.
- Tirana’s MediTIRANEan Bridges programme consists of 4 pillars: cultural exploration, enhancing artistic creativity, digitalising cultural heritage and sustainable cultural tourism. All four embrace its rich and diverse heritage and contemporary art expressions, foster intercultural dialogue in the region, and integrate eco-friendly practices into all events.
- Collaborative projects between local and Euro-Mediterranean artists and cultural practitioners will be at the heart of the programme. Virtual exhibitions, online forums, and interactive storytelling will enable broader participation, and partnerships and collaborations will be established with cultural institutions from other Euro-Mediterranean countries. The Municipality of Tirana will also forge collaborations with Alexandria that will involve joint artistic productions, co-curated exhibitions, and shared initiatives.
- There will be an open call for civil society organisations and educational institutions that want to host activities within the programme. Youth-centric workshops, mentorship programmes, and platforms for artistic expression will be integral to the programme’s strategy as well as initiatives that empower young artists to ensure its inclusiveness.
ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT
Alexandria, known as the Pearl of the Mediterranean, has a long history of supporting intellectual and cultural creativity. The city strives to deepen intercultural dialogue, promote the values of tolerance and respect, and create opportunities for cultural exchanges across the Mediterranean Basin, making it an ideal Capital of Culture and Dialogue in the region.
- Alexandria’s programme includes art festivals and cultural fairs to highlight the city’s Mediterranean heritage. Additionally, conferences, roundtables and seminars on Mediterranean youth, culture, industry, and digitalisation will aim to enhance regional dialogue, and visits to different parts of the city will be key to showcase its diversity, heritage, and ties to the Mediterranean.
- Many art and culture festivals will host artists, intellectuals, and creators from other Mediterranean countries to exchange experiences and ideas, introduce the public to diverse cultures and artistic expressions, and enhance understanding and cooperation between Mediterranean countries. Alexandria will also work to exchange practices and ideas with Tirana in various fields such as culture, tourism, economy, youth, and technology, and has proposed a partnership programme to ensure the collaboration of the two capitals.
- Independent artistic and cultural associations in Alexandria and its surrounding areas will be actively involved in cultural and art events, and 90% of civil society activities will be open to the public for free. Public cultural and youth organisations will also take part in the programme to strengthen its inclusiveness.
Warm up events
CREATIVE ECONOMY CONFERENCE, 4-6 November 2024, Tirana
The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) co-organized the Conference on Creative Economy in Tirana, Albania, from November 4-6, 2024, in partnership with Albania’s Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation, the Municipality of Tirana, and the Young Professionals Network of Albania. The conference convened experts, creative entrepreneurs, creative hubs, and representatives from public institutions and international organizations across the region to discuss both the economic (e.g., GDP growth, job creation, trade) and non-economic (e.g., social cohesion, well-being, mental health) benefits of creative and cultural industries, emphasizing their role in advancing the green transition through environmental awareness, sustainable tourism, and eco-friendly fashion, among others.
The event also explored strategies to fully unleash the potential of the creative economy, advocating for a holistic approach involving supportive policies, a favorable legal framework, improved access to finance, skill development, and public-private partnerships.
In discovery of Tirana, the Albanian Agency of Creative Industries facilitated a visit for the participants to the Agimi Art Center, one of the city’s oldest cinemas, now revitalized to serve as a cultural hub. In addition to screening films and supporting Albanian filmmakers, the center also offers co-working spaces and host various cultural activities and events.
INCLUSIVE LIBRARIES, 9-10 December 2024, Alexandria
The ALF Policy Debate: Inclusive Libraries is a two-day event taking place on December 9-10, 2024, at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt, organized by the Anna Lindh Foundation (ALF), Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and the European Union. It seeks to explore the role of libraries as hubs for intercultural dialogue and social cohesion in the Euro-Mediterranean region. a leading organization in fostering intercultural understanding, brings together policymakers, civil society, and cultural institutions to promote inclusive societies.
This event aligns with its mission of advancing collaboration, peace, and mutual respect among diverse communities in the Euro-Med area. It also serves as a precursor to Alexandria’s designation as the Mediterranean Capital of Dialogue and Culture 2025.
The debate emphasizes libraries’ roles as inclusive public spaces, cultural hubs, and platforms for education, focusing on four themes: knowledge creation and preservation, community engagement for social cohesion, youth empowerment, and cross-border cooperation. Through panel discussions featuring diverse experts, it aims to develop actionable strategies for fostering intercultural understanding, equitable policies, and innovative practices in library spaces.
The event includes keynotes, networking opportunities, and cultural activities, fostering a collaborative environment for shaping the future of libraries as drivers of dialogue and societal harmony.
