Albania defends support for Kanye West’s concerts despite widespread outrage
The Albanian government has defended its decision to allocate 4 million euros ($4.6 million) from its reserve fund to support Kanye West’s concert in Tirana, as the rapper faces widespread anger over past comments glorifying Hitler and the sale of T-shirts with swastikas.Culture Minister Belindi Jonga said the funding was approved through a standard law and did not come from the country’s emergency fund or transfer of money from hospitals or public programmes. He added: “There is nothing illegal in this decision.”The concert, scheduled for Saturday, required the construction of a purpose-built structure on the outskirts of the city to host 60,000 people. Local media reported that ticket sales dropped significantly.
Jonja acknowledged that the event was initially presented as self-financing, but said the government intervened to prevent cancellation, which would have damaged Albania’s image.“The success of a concert is not measured only by ticket sales revenue,” said Juneja, citing the estimated tourism benefits.
The opposition and the arts community react angrily
Prime Minister Edi Rama faces criticism from opposition figures and artists over funding. The announcement comes as daily protests demanding Rama’s resignation, initially sparked by a planned resort linked to President Donald Trump’s family on a protected nature reserve, extend into a second month.
A group of creative people protested in front of the ministry on Thursday. “Albania has many emergencies and priorities,” Andy Tepelina, a curator of contemporary art, told AFP, but Rama chose instead to fund an artist who “supports fascism, anti-Semitism and justifies slavery.”The West sparked widespread outrage with comments glorifying Hitler, a song called “Heil Hitler” and the sale of T-shirts bearing swastikas. He has since denied that he is anti-Semitic, attributing his comments to bipolar disorder.