Enver Hoxha’s former home, once the fortress of Albania’s brutal communist regime, has been transformed into a haven for artists from around the globe.
The three-story villa, located in central Tirana, now hosts seven artists-in-residence working on projects in a space that once symbolized censorship and repression. The transformation was the result of a collaboration between the Albanian government and French foundation Art Explora, cemented during French President Emmanuel Macron’s 2022 visit to Albania.
The villa remains frozen in time, with its 1970s decor intact, from parquet floors to vintage furniture, offering a surreal backdrop for creativity. Modern designs now contrast sharply with the historical setting, adding a layer of symbolism to the new use of the space.
“This villa, once a place of suppression, now empowers artists to shape social and historical transformation,” said Art Explora’s Bisej Kapo.
One resident artist, Gerta Xhaferaj, is delving into the villa’s secret tunnels, said to connect it to a military zone and airport. “The tunnels symbolize the hidden truths of our past. I’m exploring how to use sound and light to uncover them artistically,” Xhaferaj shared.
The villa features artist studios, exhibition spaces, and even a cinema where once-taboo modernist art will be celebrated. Prime Minister Edi Rama hailed the project as poetic justice: “This house will now embody everything Hoxha feared most – modernist creativity.”
The initiative offers artists accommodation, workspace, and grants to bring their projects to life, with open studio days inviting the public to explore their work.
From repression to expression, Villa 31 marks Albania’s artistic rebirth.
