Collective leadership Edi Rama Elva Margariti Erion Veliaj For two years, artists and activists in Tirana, Albania, demonstrated to protect the historic National Theatre building from being demolished.

Built in 1939, during the early years of Italian rule, Albania's National Theatre worked as a cinema until the end of the Second World War, when a stage replaced the former screen.

In March 2018, Prime Minister Edi Rama revealed Bjarke Ingels's design for the new National Theater, the construction of which would be granted through a special law to a private company.

[6] An open letter drafted by members of the DebatikCenter of Contemporary Art in the aftermath of the demolition, accusing the Rama government of artwashing,[7] gathered hundreds of signatures and was published in Albanian,[8] French,[9] Italian,[10] and English.

[14] In July 2019, Europa Nostra urged the Albanian Government to save the National Theatre from demolition, considering it as one of the most prominent cultural centers in Tirana and an important social and public space in the city.

[15] In May 2020, more than 20 Members of the European Parliament, including Michael Gahler, David Lega, Johann Wadephul, Doris Pack and Ramona Strugariu, condemned the planned demolition of the historical building.

[19] On the 5th of May, 2023, the Tirana Municipal Council approved the transfer of a 1,266 sq.m plot next to the National Theater to Fusha, as part of a deal involving 50% of the floor space in any future constructions on the site.