Albania is Biodiversity Mosaic by Kleidi Eski
Mosaic production: Anna Paola Franceschi (Lead), Malgorzata Matyla, Marta Matyla, Umberto Pepe
When the campaign first entered Tirana’s Skanderbeg Square in October 2023, it did so with a clear ambition: to bring biodiversity into the very center of public life. Conceived as a long-term awareness and educational campaign by the Tirana office of the Heinrich Böll Stiftung in close partnership with the Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania, the initiative set out to reposition biodiversity protection as a shared societal and political responsibility.
Opening Ceremony of "Albania is Biodiversity" campaign, October 2023
At the heart of this first public installment stood a mosaic-like image by Albanian artist Kleidi Eski, realized as a large-scale textile banner measuring approximately 30m x 15m. Installed adjacent to the iconic socialist-era mosaic “The Albanians” on the façade of the National Historical Museum, the work entered into dialogue with one of the country’s most symbolically charged monuments, reimagining its narrative by foregrounding 38 endangered species native to Albania.
Making the mosaic
In autumn 2026, this image was transformed into a permanent mosaic, marking a decisive shift from a temporary public intervention to a permanent landmark. Read more about the mosaic team and the process below.
Campaign team
PPNEA
Mikaela Mahilaj
Klaudja Koçi
Lorena Pyze Xhafaj
Laorena Kasemi
Dr. Aleksandër Trajçe, Director
Albania is Biodiversity Mosaic
Mosaic artwork & artistic direction: Kleidi Eski
Production team: Anna Paola Franceschi (Lead), Malgorzata Matyla, Marta Matyla, Umberto Pepe
Biodiversity research & scientific consultancy: PPNEA
Commissioned by Heinrich Böll Stiftung, Tirana Office
hbs Tirana
Tea Zeqaj
Edona Bylykbashi
Linda Kelmendi
Sofika Rapi
Dr. M. Gökhan Tuncer, Director
Creative team
Digital and merchandise design: Jolin Matraku
Videography: Lorin Terezi
Content creation: Angela Bajrami
Temporary Pavilion Staff
Leonora Ukaj
Alban Bazaj
Anxhelo Bazaj
Athina Vathi
Danja Avdullai
Hygerta Rrapushi
Kejsi Gega
Sergi Melaj
Temporary pavilion
Architectural design: Jora Kasapi, fraksion.katër
Architectural implementation: fraksion.katër
Scaffolding: FIX Scaffolding (Turkey)
Reflections
Launched in 2023 in Tirana’s main square, the campaign has since evolved across multiple formats, ranging from school programs and digital campaigns to an online biodiversity quiz on the Vodafone App, the country’s most widely used platform.
2023 edition10,000+ on-site visitors for the campaign's first three weeks
2023 onwards50+ Activities organised on-site and in nature
200 new volunteers registered for nature conservation efforts
1000+ pupils have participated in biodiversity education activities
100 schools nationwide received biodiversity information kits
Millions reached through social media & digital platforms
A real-life mosaic in the heart of Tirana
Find us at hbs space and gallery, Skanderbeg Square, next to the National Historic Museum.
First installment of the campaign
In October 2023, for three weeks, we set up a resource hub in Tirana’s iconic Skanderbeg Square. This “one-stop” shop, offering a range of activities and educational opportunities on biodiversity, contained:
- Education Corner – A space offering biodiversity classes and lectures for pupils and students.
- Digital corner - A space for showcasing wildlife footage and audiovisual content on Albania’s biodiversity.
- Event Space – A hub for engaging events, including film screenings, talks, interactive performances, and exhibitions focused on nature protection.
- Shop – A dedicated area for distributing campaign materials, with all proceeds going towards nature protection efforts led by our partner, PPNEA.
- Info Corner – A space to learn about volunteering and engagement opportunities in nature conservation.
