"Who paid for Rama's exhibitions around the world?", DP demands transparency for hundreds of thousands of euros of expenses

The Democratic Party has requested verification and transparency on the method of financing international exhibitions where the artistic works of Prime Minister Edi Rama have been presented.

In a statement from the DP headquarters, the Anti-Corruption Spokesperson, Genta Vangjeli, raised questions about the costs of organizing these activities, including payments for exhibition spaces, transportation of works, insurance, assembly, and promotion.

According to her, expenses for exhibitions in prestigious galleries can reach hundreds of thousands of euros, while she requested that it be made public whether these costs were covered by Rama himself, the hosting galleries, private sponsors or other entities.

The Democratic Party has asked the responsible institutions to verify whether all legal obligations for declaring expenses and sources of financing have been fulfilled.

Statement:

Dozens of international exhibitions, hundreds of days of exposure... Who financed Edi Rama's exhibitions?

While Albanians face poverty, ever-higher taxes, and a cost of living that increases every day, Prime Minister Edi Rama continues to exhibit his artistic works in the world's most prestigious galleries, in personal exhibitions in Germany, France, Italy, Greece, Portugal, the United States, Turkey, China, and other countries, or in participations in the Venice Biennale, Centre Pompidou-Metz, Art Basel, etc.

Just for the use of exhibition spaces during the last two exhibitions, the costs can reach hundreds of thousands of euros, specifically: The "Chrysalizing" exhibition, held at the Société gallery in Berlin from May 1 to June 27, 2026, lasted 58 days. 

Likewise, the solo exhibition at the Marian Goodman Gallery in Paris, from June 8 to July 26, 2024, lasted 49 days. 

Exhibition spaces at these levels can require very high costs, not including transportation of works, insurance, installation, promotion, and other organizational expenses.

Meanwhile, Edi Rama has held other exhibitions in Athens, Naples, Berlin, (USA), Istanbul, Hong Kong, Munich and other places. 

Under these conditions, the Democratic Party and public opinion demand transparency regarding: Has all the data been declared in detail to the responsible institutions as to whether these exhibitions were carried out at personal expense by Edi Rama himself, by the hosting galleries, by private sponsors or by other entities?

Who and how much was paid to cover the costs of international transportation of the works, insurance, assembly, promotion and organization of each of these exhibitions?

The Democratic Party asks the responsible institutions to verify whether all legal obligations related to the above have been respected.

Transparency is not a matter of preference, it is a constitutional and legal obligation. No one, not even the Prime Minister of Albania, can be above the law.