A Cultural Evening Honouring Albania’s Literary Legend, Ismail Kadare
Friday, 30 January 2026 | St Gabriel’s Church, Victoria, London
London, United Kingdom — Following the acclaimed success of its inaugural edition in 2025, Kadare Night returns to London on Friday, 30 January 2026, continuing its mission to celebrate Albanian literary excellence while fostering cultural exchange and social impact.
Kadare Night is a flagship international cultural event organised by the British Albanian Culture & Arts Association (BACA) and honours the enduring legacy of Albania’s most celebrated writer, Ismail Kadare. Conceived by Eduard Alia and Tomorr Kokona, the event has established itself as an annual gathering of artists, writers, musicians, and cultural leaders from Albania, the United Kingdom, and beyond.
The first Kadare Night, held in 2025, welcomed a full audience and achieved significant social impact by raising funds to provide a much needed medical transport vehicle for the Medical Clinic of Fushë Arrëz in northern Albania. Building on this success, the second edition continues the tradition of uniting artistic excellence with meaningful community contribution.
Event Details
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Date: Friday, 30 January 2026Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm (UTC)
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Venue: St Gabriel’s Church, Victoria, London SW1V 2AD
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Ticket price: £40
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Ticket booking: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/101386
Programme Highlights
Kadare Night II will present a carefully curated cultural programme celebrating the literary and cultural legacy of Ismail Kadare through literature, music, vocal performance, and recitation. The evening will feature acclaimed Albanian and international artists, guests of honour from the cultural and public sectors, and authentic Albanian culinary elements.
Confirmed artists to date include:
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Alma Panajoti – Poetry
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Anila Kadija – Poetry
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Altin Gjoni – Guitar and Musical Director
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David Cummins – Guitar
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Greta Papa – Violin
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Loresa Leka – Vocal and Recitation
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Mariela Cingo – Piano
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Mircha Ivens – Vocal
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Peadar Connolly – Vocal and Autoharp
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Sara Payman – Vocal
Further artists and programme details will be announced in the coming weeks.
Venue and Atmosphere
This year’s edition will take place at the historic St Gabriel’s Church in Victoria, London, offering an intimate and atmospheric setting for an evening of reflection, artistic expression, and cultural dialogue.
Dress Code
Guests are invited to attend in either:
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Traditional Albanian costume or attire celebrating Albania, including the plis or red and black colour combinations; or
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Elegant evening wear.
Social Impact
All proceeds beyond event costs will support the professional development of a young Albanian artist, helping them access the British and wider international cultural markets. Kadare Night II continues to demonstrate how cultural celebration can generate tangible social benefit.
About BACA
The British Albanian Culture & Arts Association (BACA) is dedicated to promoting Albanian culture, arts, and heritage in the United Kingdom and internationally, while supporting emerging talent and fostering cross cultural collaboration.