The Minister of Culture and Tourism, Saranda Bogujevci, announced the progress of the Opera and Ballet Theater project, while a day later the Mayor of Pristina, Përparim Rama, reacted with irony, saying that "there is now no cultural heritage" in the space where the theater is planned to be built.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday night, Bogujevci announced that the project was designed by Danish studio BIG, led by architect Bjarke Ingels. According to her, the project includes four halls for artistic performances and shows, spaces for rehearsals and preparation of artists, as well as facilities for education, conferences and public activities.
She said that the main project is nearing finalization and that, after the completion of the implementation project, the Ministry will initiate procurement procedures for the construction of the Opera and Ballet Theater, although it was previously promised that works would begin at the end of this year.
"Today we were informed by the design team about the progress of the Opera and Ballet Theater project, one of the most important infrastructure investments for culture in Kosovo, which will influence the development of our musical and performing arts institutions for decades to come. Kosovo is taking concrete steps towards creating a new home for cultural and performing arts institutions and artists," Bogujevci wrote.
Following Bogujevci's announcement, Rama reacted this morning, ironically writing: "Now there is no cultural heritage!"
also
The Opera and Ballet Theater had no project in the year of "starting work"
Rama referred to the previous clash regarding the "Urban Island" project, works for which have been blocked in the space where the Opera and Ballet Theater is also planned to be built.
"Is there no cultural heritage now where you are blocking 'Urban Island', a project that connects 30.000 residents to the center? Or is it not a problem, when you have to present a haphazard project, just to say that you are doing something, after the clinical death of cultural institutions since you came to power?" Rama wrote.
He also criticized the Ministry of Culture for the state of cultural institutions, citing the closure of the National Theater of Kosovo and the National Museum of Kosovo.
"The National Theater of Kosovo has been closed for 5 years. The National Museum of Kosovo has been closed for 5 years. And now, a proposal for the Opera House!" he wrote.
According to Rama, the Opera and Ballet project was proposed without cooperation, coordination and joint planning with the Municipality of Pristina. He said that his concern is not related to the clash of projects, but to the risk that, according to him, citizens will be left without such a facility.
also
Opera with over 200 thousand euros in debt, risks 5th anniversary concert
"Therefore, let's cooperate so that the Opera House can potentially be built. We are ready to share the space, engage the best experts we have, and help you coordinate at every step. So that in the end, citizens win and artists have the home they deserve," Rama wrote.
The construction of the “Urban Island”, which aims to connect the “Arbëria” neighborhood with the Palace of Youth and Sports, has been blocked for more than two years. The reason is the inclusion of the space in the protected area of the Historic Center of Pristina. Meanwhile, the plots affected by the “Urban Island” project have been allocated by the Municipality of Pristina itself for the construction of the Opera and Ballet Theater as early as 2022.
