Implementation of the Legislative Theatre project in Roskovec, Lushnje, and Rrëshen

Between September 29 and October 16, the Legislative Theatre project was implemented in three public schools in the municipalities of Roskovec, Lushnje, and Mirdita, engaging a total of 269 students.

During four academic days each week, from Monday to Thursday, the project was carried out with groups of teachers and students, while on Fridays, professional actors staged the issues raised by the students throughout the week. The actors’ improvisations were interrupted by the students themselves, who stepped into their roles to propose solutions to the problems addressed.

Municipality of Roskovec

From September 29 to October 3, the project was implemented at the “Adem Vrapi” high school in the Municipality of Roskovec.

On September 29, teachers of Literature and Civic Education were introduced to the methodology of Legislative Theatre. Together with the “Tek Bunkeri” team and director Anila Balla, they determined the class hours during which the project would be carried out with the students.

On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, activities were held with first-, second-, and third-year students (90 students in total). During a one-hour session, they were introduced to the history and methodology of Legislative Theatre and raised issues they face in their daily lives in both the city and rural areas of Roskovec.

Students later improvised their concerns in the form of theatrical performances, while on Friday, professional actors Ermela Ruri and Brendi Bega transformed the school gym into a stage where they dramatized the issues highlighted by the students throughout the week.

Students voluntarily joined the performance: after saying “stop,” they stood up from the audience, took the actors’ place, and altered the course of events adding new issues and proposing alternative solutions.

Issues Identified by Students in Roskovec

1. Lack of public transportation connecting rural areas with Roskovec during afternoon hours. Students cannot remain for the last class because their bus leaves before 13:20. They also cannot participate in afternoon activities in the city due to the absence of public transport.
2. Lack of state-run language course centers offering foreign language learning opportunities.
3. Concerns about cleanliness, particularly outside the city center.
4. Insufficient books in the city library, both from Albanian and international authors. Students require these books for Matura exam preparation as well as for personal interest. They requested that the library be enriched with new titles and publications.
5. Lack of public spaces for physical activity, such as a small park equipped with exercise tools, swings, and running areas. There is also no gym available for public use. The school gym remains closed in the afternoons, preventing students from engaging in sports activities.
6. Students emphasized the need for a multimedia club and office, established by the municipality, where they could write and publish a city newspaper.

Municipality of Lushnje

In the Municipality of Lushnje, the activities took place from October 6–9 with teachers and students of the public high school “Jani Nushi.” On October 10, during the final Legislative Theatre performance with the participation of professional actresses Ermela Ruri and Deljana Topulli, students from all three high schools “Jani Nushi,” “18 Nëntori,” and the vocational high school “Hasan Gina” took part.

A total of 120 students were introduced to the methodology and history of Legislative Theatre throughout the week. During each class session, they engaged in discussions and raised issues affecting their daily lives in the city, improvising short theatrical scenes and proposing alternative solutions.

Issues Identified by Students in Lushnje

1. Lack of sports facilities for younger age groups. Aside from the city’s football team, no one else is allowed to use the sports field, including access to restrooms and showers, which makes it difficult for young athletes to train and pursue a career in football.
2. Lack of road signage and traffic lights in the city of Lushnje. Students considered the absence of traffic lights particularly concerning, stating that this contributes to various traffic accidents occurring in the city.
3. Public transport accessibility challenges for students from rural areas. Minibuses depart before the school day ends, making it difficult for them to attend all classes. In the afternoon, they cannot participate in any city activities because no public transport is available. Specific rural areas facing this issue include: Qerret, Krutje, Fiershegan, Savra, Allkaj, Toshkëz, Gurrë, Kashtëbardhë, and Dushk i Madh.
4. Lack of public recreational and sports spaces. Students highlighted the need for playgrounds, sports areas for ball games, and entertainment spaces for middle-aged and elderly residents, as such facilities are currently absent in the city.
5. Underutilization of state-confiscated buildings. Students noted that buildings seized by the state are not being used for community benefit. In their view, these spaces should be taken under municipal administration and transformed into youth-friendly facilities such as training centers, gyms, or course hubs.

Municipality of Mirdita

The Legislative Theatre activity in the Municipality of Mirdita was implemented at the public vocational school “Shën Jozef Punëtori” from October 13–17, 2025.
On October 13, the activity was held with the teachers, who were introduced to our work and the theatre methodology. From Tuesday to Friday, the sessions continued with third- and fourth-year students.

Over a 90-minute class session, 59 students shared and reflected on various issues they encounter in their daily life in the city of Mirdita and the rural areas where they reside.

Issues Identified by Students in Mirdita

1. Lack of public spaces for the elderly to spend their afternoons in the Municipality of Mirdita.
2. Lack of physical activity spaces where young people, as well as middle-aged residents, can spend their free time practicing different sports, from football to martial arts.
3. Absence of a public swimming pool in the Municipality of Mirdita, which would provide significant recreational opportunities for residents who cannot afford to vacation in coastal areas during the summer months.
4. A concerning culture of violence in the city. Students emphasized the urgent need for the establishment and proper functioning of Child Protection Units to support children affected by violence. The Municipality of Mirdita must take responsibility for ensuring these units operate effectively.