A residency program bringing together Balkan artists to create new interpretations of traditional music.

The project “Music beyond all borders: new narratives for a melodious Balkan” aimed to capture the rich cultural heritage and diversity of the human experience by transforming old music into new narratives that promote dialogue and incite common values of living together.

The culminant part was the main and final concert in the newly renovated Shiroka Square on September 15, 2020. Shkodra citizens in great numbers attended and applauded the beautiful performance of 20 young Balkan musicians. Emotions of this unique residence and performances will be long remembered in Shkodra.

The residency program prepared by the artistic director Lorenc Radovani included two main components. The first one was working at Arka Youth Center with 16 Albanian young artists, including one young artist from Kosovo. They worked more than one month to prepare the music program including main important music heritage form Balcan countries.

1 week residency program including 7 artists from Bosnia, Croatia and Serbia to work on the musical program prepared for them.

During the project implementation the ARKestra music group was founded being a beautiful surprise for Shkodra Community during their brilliant performance in Gjuhadol, Shkodra’s historical street.

The whole Balkan Orchestra worked together at ARKA youth center to prepare two other concerts.

 “Balkan quintet” including artists from Serbia, Bosnia, Kosovo and Albania performed in ARKA yard transmitting delicate and beautiful Balkan Music on September 14, 2020.