The final night of British Culture Week, organised by the UK embassy in Albania with the support of the Albanian Ministry of Culture (MEKI), featured the event ‘Ritmet qe Bashkuan Kultura’ (Rhythms that unite culture), with Altin Gjoni (AL), Cassius Cobbson (UK), and Salma (UK) as headliners.
As the only Albanian artist featured in the lineup, Altin Gjoni is a familiar name in both the Albanian and UK scenes. While he was a Chevening scholar, he was often invited to perform alongside UK artists and his band Rusty Halo. He is one of the top-ranked online session musicians worldwide, recording mulitple albums for international artists and often giving guest lectures at the Future Works university in Manchester.
Altin delivered a set of originals in Albanian and tributes to UK artists, leading a band featuring Tirana’s well-known players and multiple vocalists, including Mirgen Huba and Erina Seitllari. The blend of local and international elements in the set drew a mixed crowd from all generations to share a moment when UK and Albanian music meet.
This night was held at Vila31 Art Explora, the former residence of the dictator Enver Hoxha, now turned into an arts hub in the heart of the city.
