30 years democracy

30 Years With(out) Democracy

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Following the successful "Born in the '90s" (2015) and four "Ask Your Grandparents" (2016–2019) editions, the Institute for Democracy, Media and Culture (IDMC) announces a new competition: "30 YEARS WITH(OUT) DEMOCRACY".

In the last 30 years, Albania has been in a continuous process of cultural, economic and political transition, accompanied from time to time by strong emigration exoduses, strong blows to democracy, but also positive changes in the field of human rights, during the challenge of becoming part of the European Union.

This competition aims to return the focus to the developments of Albanian democracy starting in 1990, which has been filled with a series of historical and political events: the first protests against the communist regime in Shkodra, Kavaja and Tirana and the Albanian exodus on July 2, 1990. The past affects the present, but also the future. That is why we should go back, study it and learn from its mistakes.

With this competition, we invite young people to creatively express their thoughts through:

  • Multimedia
  • Visual Arts

on what could've been done better in the past 30 years and what is their vision 30 years in the future.

IDMC encourages young people to reflect on the mistakes of the past that affected the country's political, economic and social life, but also to inspire with their vision of a better future in Albania.

There are some of the topics you can cover:

  • Which statues have not (symbolically) been pulled down?
  • What is the impact of student protests (referring to protests in 1990, 2019, 2020)?
  • Is Albania a democracy? Are its foundations strong or not?
  • Do you feel free to express your opinion?
  • How do you face with propaganda in 2020? How is it going to be tomorrow?
  • How much progress have we made? What about regress?
  • How do you imagine Albania is going to be in the next 30 years?
  • 1990 – 2020 – 2050: Albania, what it's been, what it is and where it's going? (Sami Frashëri)
  • Europe as a destination or do we have other perspectives?
  • And more...

This if the sixth national competition organized by IDMC after "Born in the '90s – Explore the Past, Create the Future" (2015); "Ask Your Grandparents 1" (2016); "Ask Your Grandparents 2" (2017); "Ask Your Grandparents 3" (2018); and "Ask Your Grandparents 4" (2019) with the valuable support of Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

Summary

Terms of Participation

  • This competition is open to young people aged 16 to 24, residents in Albania and the diaspora
  • Participants should submit only individual, original works not published before
  • Competition categories:
    • Multimedia (video and/or audio no longer than 3 min in length) and
    • Visual Arts (max. A3 format)
  • Competition announcement: 2 July 2020
  • Submission deadline: 15 October 2020
  • Awards ceremony: December 2020

To participate, please apply here. Your digital entries should be sent via email to konkursi@idmc.al by 15 October 2020, 24:00 hrs. GMT+2.

Criteria

  • Each participant may submit only one entry.
  • Each entry must clearly relate to the topic of the competition.
  • Only original work not presented in similar activities will be accepted.
  • All audio, video etc. entries must not exceed 3 minutes in length.
    Note: Longer submissions will not be eligible.
  • Entries for the Visual Arts category, posters, drawings, graphics etc. must not be larger than A3 format.
    Note: Larger submissions will not be eligible!
  • Entries that promote ethnic, gender or sexual discrimination will not be eligible.
  • There is no participation fee.
  • Winners of last year's "Ask Your Grandparents" contest are not allowed to participate this time.
  • Permission to publish or broadcast must be obtained from anyone who appears on a video or picture.
  • Submissions must be original works.
  • Plagiarism will result in instant disqualification.
  • All rights are reserved by the authors, but by entering into this competition, the winners will transfer unlimited right of reuse to the organizers for translation, publication, exhibition and broadcast of their winning entries.
  • Under the aforementioned rights, the winners agree that they will not be entitled to other fees or form of compensation other than the award.

Submission of Entries

Your application must be submitted by 15 October 2020, 24:00 hrs.

  • Participants must apply here to enter personal data and details about the entry.
  • Participants in the Multimedia and Visual Arts categories must send complete digital entries to konkursi@idmc.al.
  • Participants in the Visual Arts category must deliver physical artwork to IDMC office address. IDMC does not cover delivery costs and takes no responsibility for any loss or delay.

Delivery Address:

IDMC – Institute for Democracy, Media & Culture

Bardhok Biba St., Trema Bldg.
Entrance A, 11th Floor
Tirana, Albania

Participants will receive a confirmation by e-mail at each selection stage. For more information, please consult our website www.idmc.al or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Jury and Evaluation

The competition will announce 7 prizes: (6 jury prizes and 1 audience prize).

All entries will be evaluated by an independent jury composed of public figures and experts, based on the following criteria:

  • Innovative presentation
  • Understandability
  • Creativity and originality
  • Ability to engage the audience
  • Clear and powerful message
  • Authentic style

The winners will be announced on 8 December 2020 and will be invited to Tirana to collect their prizes in the presence of renowned personalities from the media, civil society, politics and culture.

Competition Organizer

Institute for Democracy, Media & Culture
Institute for Democracy, Media & Culture

Partner

Konrad Adenauer Foundation
Konrad Adenauer Foundation