Payments and public events involving artists linked to the Municipality of Tirana, 2015-2026
Status: Open. Veliaj is in the SPAK/GJKKO case; the Feb 2025 SPAK notice refers to festival financing without amounts or named artists. No KLSH audit and no opposition-party official complaint specific to artist payments was found.
Summary
Search of Albanian and English sources found documented municipal events with singers and performers in 2018, 2021-22, 2022 and 2025 (Ermal Meta, Rita Ora, Elvana Gjata, Alban Skënderaj, Apocalyptica with Eugent Bushpepaj, Noizy). Municipal organisation is stated by the reporting for some of these events. In no source retrieved is a fee or payment amount paid by the Municipality of Tirana or its agencies to a named artist documented. The mayor stated in June 2018 that the municipality spent 0 lekë on the Rita Ora and Ermal Meta concerts and offered to resign if this was wrong; no audit or procurement record has been found to confirm or contradict that statement.
The only official item found that touches artists in a municipal financing context is the SPAK notice of 10 February 2025 in the Veliaj case. As reported by Shqiptarja, the notice refers to 'fictitious financing of artistic festivals, travel payments and hotel stays' and to 'considerable public funds' that businesses obtained from Bashkia Tiranë. The notice gives no amounts and does not name artists. Citizens.al's summary of SPAK's suspicions adds figures (EUR 420,000 to the Harabel studio, EUR 65,000 festival sponsorship by Kontakt shpk, and EUR 190,000 from the Municipality of Tirana within EUR 280,000 of public funds to linked cultural NGOs). These are suspicions as reported and are not findings.
Artists also appeared publicly in support of Erion Veliaj: in 2023 (Mero Baze opinion column, 2 May 2023) and after his arrest in February 2025 (reported by Albanian outlets; article URLs not retrieved, see gaps). These are reports of public statements. No source retrieved shows that any support was paid for or linked to a municipal contract.
Key facts
- 2018-06-01: Ermal Meta concert on Skanderbeg Square; Mayor Veliaj gives him the Key of Tirana (shqiptarja, 1 June 2018).
- 2018-06-03: Rita Ora free concert on Skanderbeg Square (Wikipedia tour list; shqiptarja 1 June 2018 says both concerts are free for the public).
- 2018-06-07: Veliaj told the municipal council the municipality spent '0 lekë, 0 qindarka' on these artists and that he would resign if it had (shqiptarja, 7 June 2018).
- 2021-12-30: Elvana Gjata and Alban Skënderaj announced for New Year transition show, described as organised by Bashkia e Tiranës; no fee given (shqiptarja, 30 Dec 2021).
- 2022-08-29: Apocalyptica with Eugent Bushpepaj at Lake Amphitheatre; Veliaj presents the show; organiser and fee not stated (shqiptarja, 29 Aug 2022).
- 2025-02-10: SPAK notice on Veliaj's arrest refers to 'fictitious financing of artistic festivals' and 'considerable public funds' from Bashkia Tiranë to linked businesses; no amounts (shqiptarja, 10 Feb 2025).
- 2025-05-31: Noizy concert at Tirana Lake, thanks to the municipality; Acting Mayor Anuela Ristani says a friend of the municipality organised it (shqiptarja, 30 May 2025).
- No municipal fee, invoice, contract or tender amount for any named artist was retrieved from tirana.al, openprocurement.al, KLSH or APP in this research.
The record
Four lists kept apart on purpose: what is established, what is only alleged, what is still open, and what those concerned said.
What is proven (2)
Established by documents or official records, as stated in the research. A recorded charge or indictment proves only that the accusation was made.
- Municipal events with singers took place in 2018, 2021-22 and 2025 (announcements and reporting by Shqiptarja, Top Channel, tirana.al and Citizens.al). Event occurrence is documented by press reports; no ticket, contract or invoice was retrieved.
- Mayor Veliaj publicly stated in June 2018 that the municipality spent 0 lekë on the Rita Ora and Ermal Meta concerts (his own statement, reported by Shqiptarja).
What is alleged (1)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- AllegationThat artist events or festivals were used to move public or corrupt money (SPAK suspicions, reported by Citizens.al and in the SPAK notice text quoted by Shqiptarja). None has been found by a court.
Allegations and who made them (6)
Each line is an allegation as recorded, with the person or body that made it where the record names them.
- AllegationSPAK (notice of 10 Feb 2025, as reported by Shqiptarja): money passed 'through sponsorships, payment of fictitious invoices or purchases' and included 'fictitious financing of artistic festivals, travel payments and hotel stays etc.'. Attributed to SPAK's notice; no amounts given.
- AllegationSPAK (as summarised by Citizens.al, 27 Feb 2025): Harabel studio collected about EUR 420,000 in 2018-2024. Ajola Xoxa disputes this and says the funds paid for activities with artists (Citizens.al).
- AllegationSPAK (as summarised by Citizens.al, 27 Feb 2025): linked cultural NGOs received EUR 280,000 of public funds, including EUR 190,000 from the Municipality of Tirana (Citizens.al summary; NGOs not named in that summary).
- AllegationSPAK (as summarised by Citizens.al, 27 Feb 2025): Kontakt shpk's sponsorship of the International Contemporary Dance festival (2022-2023, organised by BYL-A) was about EUR 65,000 and is suspected of being tied to corrupt purposes.
- AllegationExit.al comment (26 Nov 2020, opinion): celebrities including Rita Ora were said to be 'all voicing their support for the incumbent Socialist Party'; the author calls this a sign of desperation. Opinion, unattributed author in the page text.
- AllegationMero Baze column (2 May 2023, opinion): the opposition attacked singers and actors who supported Veliaj. Opinion.
Open questions (5)
- Did the Municipality of Tirana pay any fee to Ermal Meta, Rita Ora, Elvana Gjata, Alban Skënderaj, Noizy or Apocalyptica? Contracts, invoices and budget lines were not retrieved.
- What amounts did the 2021 and 2025 New Year and summer events cost, and through which procurement procedure (tender, direct award or sponsorship)?
- Which NGOs received the EUR 280,000 (EUR 190,000 from the municipality) and which festivals did they run?
- Did SPAK's full notice or the indictment name any artist or quantify the festival financing?
- Has KLSH audited any municipal cultural or event spending linked to these events? None found.
Responses (3)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- Erion Veliaj (June 2018, via Shqiptarja): the municipality spent 0 lekë on the concerts; he offered to resign if it had; he cited Verona's municipality as having spent millions on artists. Source: https://shqiptarja.com/lajm/veliaj-sfidon-pdne-0-leke-nga-bashkia-per-koncertet-e-ermalit-dhe-rita-ores
- Ajola Xoxa (as reported by Citizens.al, Feb 2025): disputes the Harabel figure and says the funds paid for activities with artists. Source: https://www.citizens.al/en/2025/02/27/dosja-veliaj-hetimet-akuzat-dhe-faktet/
- ABI bank (own website): describes its role as sponsor of the June 2018 concerts. Source: https://www.abi.al/eng/d/182/banka-amerikane-e-investimeve-serish-partnere-e-kultures
Figures
Money trail →Municipal payment for the Ermal Meta (1 June 2018) and Rita Ora (3 June 2018) concerts
No amount recorded
Stated definition: No amount documented. The mayor states 0 lekë from the municipal budget (his statement, 7 June 2018). No procurement record, invoice or budget line was retrieved to confirm or contradict it.
Date: 7 Jun 2018 · Payer: Municipality of Tirana (claimed by mayor to be zero) · Payee: Ermal Meta; Rita Ora (fees not documented)
- Veliaj sfidon PDNE 0 lekë nga Bashkia për koncertet e Ermalit dhe Rita Orës (opens in a new tab)Shqiptarja.com · 7 Jun 2018 · journalism · SQ
ABI bank sponsorship of the June 2018 Tirana concerts
No amount recorded
Stated definition: Sponsorship by a private bank as described on its website. No amount given. Not a municipal payment.
Date: Jun 2018 · Payer: ABI (American Bank of Investments) · Payee: Concert organisation (Ermal Meta, Rita Ora events)
- ABI: Banka Amerikane e Investimeve Sërish partnere e kulturës (opens in a new tab)ABI · 2018 · other · EN
New Year 2022 spectacle: Elvana Gjata and Alban Skënderaj
No amount recorded
Stated definition: No fee or cost stated in the article. Payment status unknown.
Date: 30 Dec 2021 · Payer: Bashkia e Tiranës (organiser per article) · Payee: Elvana Gjata; Alban Skënderaj (fees not documented)
- Zbulohen dy këngëtaret e famshëm që do performojnë në koncertin e ndërrimit të viteve në Tiranë (opens in a new tab)Shqiptarja.com · 30 Dec 2021 · journalism · SQ
Noizy concert at Tirana Lake (31 May 2025)
No amount recorded
Stated definition: No fee or cost stated. Organiser described by the acting mayor as a friend of the municipality.
Date: 31 May 2025 · Payer: not stated (acting mayor says a friend of the municipality organised it) · Payee: Noizy (fee not documented)
- Noizy nesër koncert në kryeqytet me DJ të famshëm nga e gjithe bota (opens in a new tab)Shqiptarja.com · 30 May 2025 · journalism · SQ
Apocalyptica with Eugent Bushpepaj, Lake Amphitheatre (29 Aug 2022)
No amount recorded
Stated definition: No fee or cost stated. Organiser not named in the article.
Date: 29 Aug 2022 · Payer: not stated · Payee: Apocalyptica; Eugent Bushpepaj (fees not documented)
- Pas Sunny Hill Festival, sonte koncerti i grupit Apocalyptica te Amfiteatri i Liqenit (opens in a new tab)Shqiptarja.com · 29 Aug 2022 · journalism · SQ
SPAK: considerable public funds from Bashkia Tiranë to businesses, including festival financing
No amount recorded
Stated definition: SPAK notice as quoted by Shqiptarja gives no figure for this item. Not artist-specific; artists not named.
Date: 10 Feb 2025 · Payer: Bashkia Tiranë (per SPAK notice) · Payee: Businesses and NGOs linked to the SPAK case (not named in the quoted passage)
- Arrestimi i Erion Veliajt: SPAK akuzë për korrupsion pasiv dhe pastrim parash (opens in a new tab)Shqiptarja.com (quoting SPAK notice) · 10 Feb 2025 · spak-statement · SQ
Harabel studio: about EUR 420,000 collected 2018-2024 (SPAK suspicion)
€420,000
Stated definition: Figure from Citizens.al summary of SPAK's allegation; 2018-2024 period. Xoxa disputes it and says the funds paid for activities with artists. Single source; no SPAK primary text retrieved.
Date: 2024 · Payer: not stated in the summary · Payee: Harabel (studio)
- The Veliaj File: Investigations, Accusations and Facts (opens in a new tab)Citizens.al · 27 Feb 2025 · journalism · EN
Kontakt shpk sponsorship of International Contemporary Dance festival 2022-2023 (organised by BYL-A)
€65,000
Stated definition: Total sponsorship as stated by Citizens.al ('about 65,000 EUR'). Private sponsorship, not a municipal payment. SPAK suspects a corrupt purpose (as reported).
Date: 2023 · Payer: Kontakt sh.p.k. · Payee: BYL-A (festival organiser)
- The Veliaj File: Investigations, Accusations and Facts (opens in a new tab)Citizens.al · 27 Feb 2025 · journalism · EN
Linked cultural NGOs: EUR 280,000 public funds, of which EUR 190,000 from Municipality of Tirana (SPAK suspicion)
€190,000
Stated definition: Only the EUR 190,000 municipal share is an individual figure in the Citizens.al summary; the EUR 280,000 total is the same source's total for all public funds to these NGOs. The NGOs and period are not named in the summary. Single source; no SPAK primary text retrieved. Not added to any other figure.
Date: Feb 2025 · Payer: Bashkia Tiranë (per Citizens.al summary of SPAK suspicion) · Payee: Linked cultural NGOs (unnamed in the summary)
- The Veliaj File: Investigations, Accusations and Facts (opens in a new tab)Citizens.al · 27 Feb 2025 · journalism · EN
SPAK total: about EUR 1.1 million generated by eight businesses and NGOs controlled by Xoxa and Abule (all activities, not artist-specific)
€1,100,000
Stated definition: Single-source total from the SPAK notice as quoted by Shqiptarja. Covers all alleged flows, not only cultural or artist payments. Not summed with other amounts in this file.
Date: 10 Feb 2025 · Payer: Mixed (as described in SPAK notice) · Payee: Eight businesses and NGOs (SPAK notice)
- Arrestimi i Erion Veliajt: SPAK akuzë për korrupsion pasiv dhe pastrim parash (opens in a new tab)Shqiptarja.com (quoting SPAK notice) · 10 Feb 2025 · spak-statement · SQ
Timeline
Full timeline →Government
Mayor Veliaj announces summer concerts with Rita Ora and Ermal Meta
Top Channel reports Veliaj listing the summer concerts (Ermal Meta on 1 June, Rita Ora on 3 June) and saying the municipality would bring artists 'who have toured in Europe'. The article does not say who organised or paid. The date on the page is written 02/05/2018 and could also be read as 5 February; the 2 May reading is an inference.
Government
Ermal Meta concert on Skanderbeg Square; Key of Tirana presented
Mayor Veliaj receives Ermal Meta, presents him with the Key of Tirana and says it is given to 'special friends of the city'. Meta performs that evening on Skanderbeg Square. The article states no cost for the concert.
Other
Rita Ora free concert on Skanderbeg Square
Rita Ora performs on Skanderbeg Square, Tirana. Both the Ermal Meta and Rita Ora concerts are described as free for the public. ABI bank states it sponsored the concerts (ABI page, year inferred). No fee for Rita Ora is stated.
Government
Veliaj tells council the municipality spent 0 lekë on Rita Ora and Ermal Meta
At the municipal council session Veliaj said the municipality spent '0 lekë, 0 qindarka' on the two concerts and offered to resign if it had. He cited Verona's municipality as having spent millions to host artists. No audit or procurement record was found to test the statement.
Media
Exit.al opinion: celebrities back the Socialist Party in 2020 campaign
Opinion piece ('Comment:') arguing that celebrities, named in the piece as including Rita Ora, voiced support for the Socialist Party and Veliaj ahead of the 2020 vote. Labelled as comment, not reporting. No payment is mentioned.
Government
New Year 2022 spectacle on Skanderbeg Square with Elvana Gjata and Alban Skënderaj
Shqiptarja reports the two singers will perform at the spectacle organised by Bashkia e Tiranës for the year change. No cost or fee given.
Government
Apocalyptica concert at Lake Amphitheatre, Tirana
Band Apocalyptica performs after the Sunny Hill Festival, with Eugent Bushpepaj also named. Mayor Veliaj presents the event and meets the band. The article does not state the organiser, cost or fee.
Media
Mero Baze column defends artists' support for Veliaj in 2023 local campaign
Opinion column saying the opposition attacked the singers and actors who supported Veliaj, and that this support is not an electoral necessity. No payment mentioned.
SPAK
SPAK notice on Veliaj arrest refers to fictitious financing of artistic festivals
As quoted by Shqiptarja, SPAK's notice says the money passed 'through sponsorships, fictitious invoices or purchases' and mentions 'fictitious financing of artistic festivals, travel payments and hotel stays etc.', and that businesses obtained 'considerable public funds' from Bashkia Tiranë with the signature of its head. No amounts; artists are not named in the quoted passages. The accusation is SPAK's; Veliaj denies the charges.
Media
Citizens.al explainer on SPAK suspicions: Harabel, Kontakt, NGOs and EUR 190,000 from the municipality
Citizens.al summarises SPAK suspicions: Harabel studio about EUR 420,000 (2018-2024), Kontakt shpk festival sponsorship about EUR 65,000, and EUR 280,000 of public funds to linked cultural NGOs including EUR 190,000 from the Municipality of Tirana. Xoxa disputes the Harabel figure. These are suspicions as reported.
Government
Noizy concert at Tirana Lake with international DJs
Concert at Tirana Lake, described in an article published 30 May 2025 as taking place 'tomorrow' (31 May). Acting Mayor Anuela Ristani says a friend of the municipality organised it; Noizy thanks the Tirana Municipality. No fee or cost given.
Connections
- Investigation←Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK)Source label: Officially reported
SPAK notice mentions festival financing
Evidence: SPAK notice of 10 Feb 2025, as quoted by Shqiptarja, refers to 'fictitious financing of artistic festivals' without amounts.
- Investigation←Erion Veliaj and Ajola Xoxa case (SPAK, 'Veliaj' file)Source label: Officially reported
Same SPAK file (Veliaj case)
Evidence: The festival-financing and public-funds passages are part of SPAK's notice in the Veliaj case, per Shqiptarja (10 Feb 2025).
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 16 sources.
Source label: Officially reportedOfficially reported · 8 sources
- Publisher
- Shqiptarja.com (quoting SPAK notice)
- Date
- 10 Feb 2025
- Publisher
- Top Channel
- Date
- 2 May 2018
- Publisher
- Shqiptarja.com
- Date
- 1 Jun 2018
- Publisher
- Wikipedia
- Date
- 2018
- Publisher
- ABI
- Date
- 2018
- Publisher
- Shqiptarja.com
- Date
- 30 Dec 2021
- Publisher
- Shqiptarja.com
- Date
- 29 Aug 2022
- Publisher
- Shqiptarja.com
- Date
- 30 May 2025
Source label: Under investigationUnder investigation · 2 sources
- Publisher
- Shqiptarja.com
- Date
- 7 Jun 2018
- Publisher
- Citizens.al
- Date
- 27 Feb 2025
Source label: UnverifiedUnverified · 6 sources
- Publisher
- Exit.al
- Date
- 26 Nov 2020
- Publisher
- Shqiptarja.com
- Date
- 2 May 2023
- Publisher
- Bashkia Tiranë (tirana.al)
- Date
- 27 May 2019
- Publisher
- Bashkia Tiranë (tirana.al)
- Date
- 24 May 2019
- Publisher
- Bashkia Tiranë (tirana.al)
- Date
- 17 Jul 2024
- Publisher
- Bashkia Tiranë (tirana.al)
- Date
- 7 Aug 2026