Art during the time of Coronavirus – University of New York Tirana

Since self-isolation began, people all over the world have taken to putting up live streams on different social media to communicate stories. They sing, recite poems, cook, play music and entertain in any way they can. The need to hear stories is as strong as it is to tell them.

This is a time for Solidarity. With so many people that were stuck inside due to the coronavirus pandemic, the UNYT e-Talent Show — which streamed live on the UNYT e-Platform — was a way to channel creative, positive energies and being interactive with each other during an uncertain time, according to UNYT Rector, Prof. Dr. Ismail Kocayusufoğlu.

The launch of the UNYT e-Talent Show, held at UNYT e-Platform was a howling success. With the honorable presence of the President of the Turkish Maarif Foundation, Prof. Dr. Birol AKGÜN the Board Member of TMV Mr. Mahmut Mustafa Özdil and Albania’s country director, Mr. Fatih Cankurt. Musicians, singers, rap artists, and actors together with their families came together, in this dark time of a Pandemic virus to share with the world the show of a lifetime.

This was an ambitious project that challenged everyone involved.

From our Rector to organizers, to our Talent crew, students, professors, every single person collaborated together with endless energy, dedication, and solidarity. Throughout history, art was created during pandemics to amuse, to console, and to give voice to those who were previously unheard.

Fifteen competitors (students and professors) performed during the showcase, with acts including song, instruments and more. From Albania to Turkey, Italy to Romania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, France, Spain, Czech Republic, Libya, Kosovo, and the Americas, countries, and cultures were represented from every continent. A wonderful gift came to this e-Talent Show from our Maarif Family in Romania.

These periods of hardship are the ones that mark art and bring us all together. And all art that was performed contained the repercussions and scars of all we have been through, by healing them and by hoping to be all together again, at our University.