By: Gili Hoxhaj
The FemArt team’s hospitality was in perfect harmony from the very first steps into the AMC hall courtyard. The streets were bustling with yellow buses and blue taxis. Enthusiastic people filled the space—a place to meet those who believe in and support activism, those who believe in an open mind. Smiling volunteer faces reflected how much they valued the experience as something rare. The program was offered with such enthusiasm it was palpable even without words.
A few steps inside the AMC Hall, everything had already become hazy, allowing for embraces and expressions of joy while listening to the group that ranked Albania among the Eurovision top ten in 2025, achieving one of its best results in history.
Shkodra Elektronike made headlines in recent months for an original and daring performance. With “Zjerm,” they presented a spiritual ballad masked in techno beats, earning praise especially for how Albanian tradition was integrated into a modern European format without losing cultural identity.
Following this success, they came to Prishtina to celebrate the anniversary of the city’s liberation and as part of the international festival of female artists and activists, “FemArt – To Liberate Yourself Because You Can Only Free Yourself When You Have Freed Your Mind.”
Applause was the first sign as musicians from the Isopoliphonic Choir began singing from the edge of the stage. Their costumes and songs brought the southern Albania spirit to Prishtina, while the northern part was embedded in the group’s DNA. When the Albanian singer-songwriter Beatriçe Gjergji appeared on stage, it felt like a fire had been ignited. She entered as a silhouette, then removed her mask, looked the audience straight in the eyes, and began connecting with them.
“Oh God, you all! It’s a great honor to open the first edition of FemArt — this fantastic festival, let’s continue it,” she called out to the over 1,000 standing and dancing in the audience.
“To be together, you and me”—such excitement and elegance had not been heard before. With extravagant dance moves, the entire evening was a blend of roots, heritage, and a modern experience delivered by the duo Beatriçe Gjergji and Kolë Laca. The audience enjoyed various dance styles as the group transitioned through different rhythms on stage.
Beatriçe then asked, “Do you know a song called ‘Turtulleshë’?” The crowd responded by singing it in unison.
“Turtulleshë, turtulleshë… You lift my soul up high!” she energized the audience further with the premiere song “Stuhi” (Storm)—everything erupted in celebration and revolt. A real storm. The dance was varied and full of rhythm.
“Come in my boat, welcome, it’s better that you come, let’s cross the sea in fifty degrees”—Kolë’s singing seemed to bring the audience even closer until the chorus, “Oh vaj si qenka ba dynjaja” (Oh, how the world has become). These are songs everyone knows, and with Shkodra Elektronike, everyone learns to relive and hear them anew.
The song “Zjerm” electrified the night. The song that made us cheer beyond the screen while competing on the stage that connected the continent’s borders, and which we had heard countless times, sounded different on the stage that opened the “FemArt” celebration. The singer fulfilled her mission all at once with energetic dance, precise singing, and full rhythm, joining hands with the audience. One thing was certain—this song had become a spiritual anthem. And the audience wasn’t satisfied hearing it just once. “Shkodra Elektronike” did not refuse the crowd’s demand, performing “Zjerm” twice with equal energy to prove this song can be heard countless times as if for the first time.
“Njerëz’t e mirë e njerëz’t pa emër, kërcejnë valle n’shpirt” – (Good people and nameless people, dance a dance in the soul) – this phrase gained its meaning as the festival opened, reflecting the six days of FemArt to come. Beatriçe thanked the organizers uniquely: for continuing to believe in dreams and love. This form of faith seemed to fill one with life and unite organizers, singers, and audience alike.
Leaving the AMC hall drenched in sweat after dancing, the impression remained that “Free your mind” had truly happened.
