4 million euros for Ye, foreign media: Government targeted by funding controversy

Artist Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, held one of the largest concerts ever held in Albania in Tirana, but beyond the musical spectacle, the event was accompanied by debates about the financial support of the Albanian government.

According to foreign media outlet IQ Live Music Intelligence , the July 11 concert attracted around 60,000 people to a temporary stadium built specifically for the event. The project was supported by Albanian authorities as part of a strategy to promote tourism and the country's image in the international arena.

Eagle Stadium , a temporary facility with a capacity about three times larger than the National Arena , was built to host the concert . According to reports cited by IQ Live Music Intelligence, the construction of this stadium may have cost over 50 million euros .

The Albanian government's decision to allocate around 400 million lek (approximately 4 million euros) from the state reserve fund to guarantee the development of the concert has also become the focus of international media attention.

Prime Minister Edi Rama has defended this decision, arguing that such a concert is not only an artistic activity, but also an opportunity for international marketing and economic development.

"A concert of this size and with an artist of this level is not simply an artistic event. It is global marketing for Albania," Rama declared, adding that the activity was expected to bring over 100 million euros in economic impact to the country.

According to the prime minister, a significant portion of the audience were foreign tourists. Of the estimated 60,000 attendees, over 40% were said to be international fans who traveled to Albania for the concert, one of Ye's few European stops this year.

However, the public funding of the event has drawn criticism, especially because the concert took place at a time when anti-government protests have been ongoing in Tirana for more than a month. Critics have seen the investment as a questionable use of public funds and a way to divert attention from the political issues that have fueled the protests.

The protests initially began against a project to build a luxury resort on the coast and then expanded to include concerns about developments in protected areas, construction on the coastline and allegations of corruption.

After the concert, Ye publicly thanked Albania and Prime Minister Rama for their hospitality, writing: “Thank you Edi Rama and all of Albania for building a stadium and welcoming me to your wonderful country.”

IQ Live Music Intelligence also recalls that the concert in Tirana was one of Ye's few performances this year, as several scheduled shows in other European countries were canceled following objections from local authorities.

International media also mentions the controversies that have accompanied the artist in recent years for statements considered anti-Semitic, racist, and pro-Nazi, for which Ye has apologized and stated that they are related to his mental health problems.