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| Sculptor from Latvia, Savita Ravina, making a sand sculpture of a child |
The sand sculpture festival took place on Velipoja beach, bringing together sculptors from Albania, Kosovo, Croatia, Greece, Bulgaria, and Latvia for three consecutive days.
This is the first festival of this kind that takes place in Albania and aims to encourage and promote cultural tourism.
"Velipoja is one of the pearls of Albania and deserves some attention. And, the only instrument to bring attention to Velipoja could be an art festival, which had never been done before. This was also the purpose why it was organized here. Then, seeing all these unused public spaces, I can even say not organized as they should be, the best way to redimension these spaces is to turn them into art", says Beskida Kruja, organizer of the festival.
For three days in a row, professional and amateur sculptors created their works in the sand on the beach of Velipoja, bringing a new experience to the country's beaches.
Motifs such as Mother Teresa by the sculptor from Bulgaria, footprints on the coast by the sculptor from Croatia and the woman from Yadrima by the sculptor from Tirana highlight the atmosphere that sand sculpture brings to the beaches.
Sculptor from Latvia, Savita Ravina, says that it is the first time she visits Albania and that she was attracted by the idea of holding a sand sculpture festival on the coast of Velipoja, which, as she says, brings a special atmosphere between vacationers:
"I have traveled a lot around the world doing some projects in sand or ice. I have participated in several such festivals, but here in Albania it is the first time and it is a new experience for me. I am making a child's face in the sand because I have children myself and they inspire me every day. The children are sweet, attractive, and I'm making different facial expressions when they're bored, sleepy, happy, something like that," she says.
Unlike the sculptors who come from other European countries, the sculptors from Kosovo and Albania, who participated in the festival of sand sculptures on the beach of Velipoja, do not have any previous experience in making sand sculptures. However, they say it was a worthwhile and relaxing experience.
The sculptor from Tirana, Ardjan Pepa, has realized the portrait of a woman from Zadrima region, wanting to fit the atmosphere of the coast of Velipoja as well as the traditional motifs of the area. He says that it is interesting and valuable to work together with other sculptors from Europe, as they have experience in making sculptures in the sand.
"I'm looking at a lot of people who are interested. There is a kind of attraction because the beach of Velipoja is among the most beautiful beaches in Albania. It seems that it has been neglected a bit, but by organizing such festivals, it starts and gets more attention", he says.
The organizer of the festival, Beskida Kruja, sees the first edition of the sand sculpture festival as a success, which, she says, brought a new experience to artists and vacationers.