TIRANA – The debate over financing Kanye West's concert in Albania has also been covered in the German media.
Gazeta Tagesspiegel has published a critical analysis of the Albanian government's decision and the position of Prime Minister Edi Rama, who has defended the organization of this activity, describing it as an opportunity for the international promotion of the country.
In the article signed by journalist Johann Voigt, the question is raised as to what would happen in Germany if Chancellor Friedrich Merz and culture officials were to promote a concert by an equally controversial artist for weeks.
"Imagine if Merz and Commissioner for Culture and Media Wolfram Weimer had been calling for weeks to buy tickets for an artist like Kollegah," the German newspaper wrote, comparing the situation to a controversial figure in the German rap scene.
According to the article, for Prime Minister Rama, Kanye West's concert is not simply a musical activity, but part of a strategy to enhance Albania's international image.
However, the newspaper raises questions about the fact that the activity is supported by around 4 million euros in public funds and takes place at a time when the country is facing protests against the government.
Tagesspiegel writes that ticket sales for the concert have not gone according to expectations, while the temporary "Eagle Stadium", built specifically for this event, has encountered problems in being completed on time.
According to the article, the main question is why exactly an artist with this profile should serve as one of the promotional images of Albania as a cultural destination.
The analysis also mentions Edi Rama's reaction on social media, where the prime minister spoke of "slander, falsifications and manipulations", defending the decision for the concert.
The German newspaper criticizes this approach, arguing that the debate over the activity turned into a political issue precisely because of the prime minister's way of communicating.
Finally, Tagesspiegel raises questions about the completion of the concert infrastructure and whether Kanye West will perform as planned on the stage prepared in Albania.
