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POLITIKOFF

Osman Mula on Elevate: Art has become a market, talents are leaving Albania

Politiko 2026-06-26 21:13:57

Renowned director, composer, and musician Osman Mula has spoken openly about the crisis that, according to him, Albanian art is going through, accusing the lack of institutional support and narrow interests of blocking the path of young artists.

Invited to the "Elevate" podcast with Florjana Garon, Mula made a comparison between the period when he began his career and today's reality, emphasizing that once every talented young person had the opportunity to develop through cultural institutions, while today this link has been destroyed.

"The new generation is not that the paths are open and now they are free to roam. Now they have gone somewhere and say grass and who will eat it first, white. The first reason is that this new generation today does not care. It does not care because all the institutions of care have been broken. Memory begins when you are in the Pioneer House. You have a teacher, he starts and teaches you, then you move on to the Youth Club, the House of Culture, to the university and then to the profession. Even those who did not have the opportunity to go to school were active in the theater or the company's stage. This is how artists were formed ," he said.
Mula also recalled his beginnings as a musician in Shkodra, where, according to him, direct contact with the public was the best school for any artist.

He said that almost all well-known names in Albanian music have followed the same path, initially forming in bars, city stages, or artistic activities of the time.

Speaking about festivals and the music industry today, Mula was critical of the way he believes the system works.

" I am neither a harsh nor a soft critic. I am a realist. I do not tolerate arrogance and empty conceit. Today you see scenography where millions are spent, while the poor singer is given nothing. You cannot build something without supporting working people and professionalism. Here is the essence ," said Mula.
The director made even stronger accusations, claiming that art has turned into a market where narrow interests and not talent are the deciding factors.

" Here is a clan that bargains. There are about three people there who divide things, gather their people and take their share. What do they say to the singer? 'Come here, pay to appear on TV'. But why is art like this? Where did the one who has talent go, but has no money? What will that child do? He will shut up, he will stay on the streets and ask to leave Albania. We must tell the young people: do not leave Albania, but stay here and demand your rights. ", he declared.
In conclusion, Osman Mula emphasized that his criticisms do not stem from personal dissatisfaction, but from concern for the future of Albanian art and the opportunities that, according to him, are being denied to the younger generations.

Full interview: