Alliance for the Protection

Critics say the demolition of the National Theatre is an old project of Prime Minister Edi Rama, since the time when he was Culture Minister in 1998 and proposed to build a tower in its place and incorporate the theatre inside.

The renewed bid to demolish the theatre divided artists and activists, and raised concerns among anti-corruption and heritage watchdogs.

Albania's government has come under fresh fire over a proposed law that will transfer the public property currently occupied by the National Theatre to a construction company, Fusha sh.p.k., in exchange for it erecting a new theatre building.