National Puppet Theatre

Built in 1924, the current National Puppet Theater was initially intended to house the Officers Club. However, due to the absence of an alternative gathering space, the building hosted the first Albanian Parliament. After serving various functions over the years, in the 1960s, the building was transformed into the National Puppet Theater, a role it continues to fulfill to this day. The National Puppet Theater stands as a significant landmark in Tirana, serving as a children’s cultural hub deeply ingrained in the memories of several generations of Albanians. The building is undergoing restoration works within EU4Culture programme, and upon completion of the restoration works, the National Puppet Theater will sustain a full upgrade, aligned with contemporary audio-visual performance standards. It will feature a multifunctional stage and auditorium.

Interventions proposed and intended to be implemented for rehabilitation of National Puppet Theater, regarding EU4Culture Project include different categories such as:

DESIGN
Conservation scope
– Full structural repair
– Conservation of historical facade
– Restoration and upgrade of interior including audience hall, stage, furniture
museum displays, technical, utility and administrative units
– Stage and stage mechanisms upgrade to host multiple types of theater plays
– Universal access standard established across all the surface of the theater
– Urban landscaping around the site to allow for outdoor events
– Disaster risk management
– Maintenance program and plans

Infrastructure

– New system for heating, ventilation, cooling
– New electrical, water and sewage installations
– New audio and sound system
– New effects for stage system
– New health and safety including: fire detection, fire fighting systems
– New surveillance and safety system

CONSULTATIONS AND DESIGN

Revitalization scope

– Interactive interpretation of museum displays
– Re-production of puppets used through history
– New economical functions in the service of the theatre

MANAGEMENT AND BUSINESS PLAN

Management

– New financial management
increase level of income retained ensure long-term sustainability
(theatre at the moment retains 30% of the income (from sales/rent)
adding multiple types of play, while children’s plays remain the main focus
stimulating creation of additional income through added economic activities