“Sounds That Speak” is the latest installation created under the Heritage is Our Brand project by artist Ergys Krisiko, winner of the project's grant scheme funded by the European Union and implemented by DMO Albania and EU Policy Hub. The installation was inaugurated on 14 July 2026 in the courtyard of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports.
Inspired by the Heritage is Our Brand story “The Flutes of Gramsh and Tana’s Story”, Ergys Krisiko has transformed one of Albania’s most distinctive elements of intangible cultural heritage into a contemporary artistic work.
The installation is a monumental flute, approximately five metres tall, crafted from mirror-finished stainless steel and accompanied by authentic recordings performed by the traditional ensemble The Flutes of Gramsh. Together, these elements create an immersive experience that bridges contemporary art with Albania’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage.
The artwork draws inspiration from the tradition of the Flutes of Gramsh and the legend of Tana, the daughter of a wealthy landowner, who communicated with her shepherd lover through the melodies of the flute. According to the legend, when the shepherd was captured and tied up by bandits, he managed to call for help simply by playing his flute. Tana understood the message and gathered the villagers to rescue him.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Benida Kraja, Director of Cultural Heritage Policies at the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports; Entela Sulka, Programme Manager at the Delegation of the European Union to Albania; Eva Kushova, Executive Director of DMO Albania; Blerta Tuci, Project Coordinator; representatives of the implementing organisations; and the artist Ergys Krisiko.
"This artwork is one of the 15 artistic products developed through the Heritage is Our Brand project, leaving a lasting contribution to both local communities and Albania’s intangible cultural heritage," said Entela Sulka, Programme Manager at the Delegation of the European Union to Albania.
The installation incorporates an audio system that plays authentic flute melodies, while visitors can learn more about its story by scanning a QR code placed beside the artwork.
Artist Ergys Krisiko explained that the installation originates from the ancient relationship between people and nature.
"It begins with an origin, with the simplest and most primal emotion, when shepherds, seeking to communicate with nature, transformed the whistling of the wind and the melodies echoing through valleys and mountain gorges into sound. The flute is an extremely simple instrument, yet one capable of producing extraordinary harmony. The recordings used here are authentic performances by the Flutes of Gramsh ensemble, presented exactly as they were performed, without any alteration."
Meanwhile, Eva Kushova, Executive Director of DMO Albania, emphasised that Tana’s story is among the most meaningful narratives of Albania’s intangible cultural heritage.
"Tana’s story is a love story between a shepherd and the daughter of a wealthy man. He conveyed his messages of love through the sound of the flute, and even after being captured by bandits, he managed to call for help using only its melodies. Music carries messages of love, sacrifice and hope. We chose to bring this story to life because it is a true masterpiece of our cultural heritage."
The installation is one of the 15 artistic products developed through the Heritage is Our Brand project, funded by the European Union and implemented by DMO Albania and EU Policy Hub/Integration Policy Forum, in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports. The initiative aims to promote Albania’s cultural heritage through innovative artistic expressions and contemporary interpretation.
“Sounds That Speak” is the 14th project presented under the Heritage is Our Brand programme. The 15th and final project, to be unveiled in September, will be a graphic novella that introduces Albanian legends and folktales to children through a contemporary visual format.