Chopin flying from Tirana International Airport with 60 pianists celebrating International Music Day

Tirana, 21 June 2018. For the first time at Tirana International Airport (TIA), a concert was held in the check-in area to mark International Music Day.

The event—Chopin flying from Tirana International Airport—was staged as part of a Piano Marathon organised by TIA, in collaboration with the Frédéric Chopin Association, Epta Association and the Albanian Music School, with the support of the Embassy of Poland.

More than 60 pianists, some as young as four years, participated in the marathon that was directed by maestro Zhani Ciko. The unique event lasted eleven hours and drew attention for its originality. The artists played among the passengers announcements while the Airport carried on with its usual daily operations.

 “Tirana International Airport is very appreciative of art and sensitive to, especially, young people, whose sacrifice to develop music and art in this country is underestimated. We really hope that you all will be better than us and give art the stage it deserves, and you the place to be bright,” said Arlinda Çausholli, Director of Communication of TIA, to the performers at the start of the event. 

 Moreover, the Piano Marathon marked 100 years since the restoration of Poland’s sovereignty, which is why His Excellency Karol Bachura, the Ambassador of Poland, appreciated the special concert in which the artists and passengers were the focus.

 Maestro Zhani Ciko and President of Epta Association in Albania Klodi Zheji said that the joint initiative was unique and should be embraced by other such events, more often, because music brings people together and airports can be an excellent arena to provide us with special memories.