Is Rama "getting scared"? Here's what's happening to his sculpture in Switzerland

An article by journalist Hannes Nuesseler in the Swiss newspaper BZ Basel focuses on Edi Rama's presence at the prestigious Art Basel art fair, where the Albanian prime minister is exhibiting his work "Société" and several personal drawings.

The article highlights the contrast between Rama's profile as an artist and his role as prime minister, describing him as a figure who is increasingly polarizing public opinion in Albania.

The author also mentions protests against a tourism project linked to Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump in a protected natural area in Albania, as well as opposition accusations against the government of corruption.

The article highlights that Rama has described the protesters as "foreign agents", while recalling that around one million Albanians have emigrated over the last two decades.

According to the organizers of Art Basel, Rama's work was selected exclusively for its artistic values ​​and not for political stances.

However, Swiss media highlight the fact that the "Société" sculpture is guarded at night by security services, raising questions and debates about the presence of the Albanian prime minister at one of the most important contemporary art events in the world.

By Hannes Nuesseler, BZ BASEL

A green mushroom grows on the side of Kleinbasel, next to Bettina Eichin's 'Helvetia auf Reisen'. In terms of color, the sculptures are well-harmonized, but there are entire worlds between them. The author of the work, which is currently on display as part of the Art-Parcours, is called Edi Rama: once an artist by profession, today in his fourth term as Prime Minister of Albania. The 'Du Pont' restaurant in Basel also exhibits drawings of the politician, which he makes during meetings and often gives to state guests.

Rama is known as a "parade of paradoxes", a supporter of the EU and an admirer of Trump. For the latter, he is currently being criticized: a luxury tourist project in a protected natural area, which Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump want to realize with Arab investors and Albanian oligarchs, is causing massive protests.

The sculpture 'Société' is guarded by security.

According to SRF reporting, Rama is accused of having a good time in Basel at taxpayers’ expense. He denies this and discredits the protesters as “foreign agents.” His language resembles that of the Cold War, when bunkers were mushrooming in the one-party communist state of Albania.

Edi Rama's government is under suspicion of corruption; about a million people have left Albania in the last 20 years. The fact that some of them now face a sculpture of their prime minister in Basel, next to 'Helvetia' looking longingly towards the EU, creates a bitter irony.

According to an Art Basel spokeswoman, the work was selected solely for its "artistic quality," not to support Rama's political stances.

However, the organizers don't seem to trust the public's judgment much: at night, the 'Société' is guarded by a security service.