The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the Norwegian Embassy in Kosovo and support of the British Council in Tirana organized yesterday evening the launching activity of the photographic contest #ColoursofAlbania – Colours of Albania 2017.

This initiative was promoted for the first time in 2015, and by following tradition, this year invites the foreign and Albanian public to participate in this photo contest on social media, so that everyone can play their role as "Ambassadors of our country". During April and May, through the camera lens are expected to be gathered about 10,000 photos which aim to promote Albanian beauties through the eyes of the citizens, young people or passionate photographers.

The #ColoursofAlbania competition is a platform supporting Albanian “digital diplomats” around the world in the full promotion of vivid, historic and cultural Albania.

This year, MFA chose the house of photography, the National Museum of Photography Marubi, since it would not make sense in these three years of this initiative, not to bring together the history of photography with its future.

Minister Bushati, the initiator of the three editions of Colours of Albania stated that “The #ColoursofAlbania competition is an efficient instrument in conveying the values and traditions that make us proud of being Albanian. Because the beauties of our country, the charms of our mountains and valleys cannot be understood without the existence of our people.  #ColoursofAlbania means "ngjyrat e Shqiperise" (Albanian). The word “colours” brings into my mind two forms of visual art, that of photography and the paintings which the city of Shkodra not only has developed but also has been the vanguard of Albania”.

The Norwegian Ambassador accredited in Albania and Kosovo, Per Strand Sjaastad, underlined the fact that the Norwegian Government's support for this project in Kosovo and Albania aims at assisting in a better understanding of Albania and Kosovo in the world, by using social networks to promote your best values and rich heritage. “The image of a country consists of bits and fragments from all spheres and spaces of society, which are not promoted solely through decision-making, but especially from the images that people transmit and especially young people”.

This edition of #ColoursofAlbania ends at June15th 2017, where a jury of professionals will select the winning photos.