Meeting Idriz Ameti – a musician who unites Balkan cultures

On June 6, the Albanian singer presented his solo project Toka Shitet in Sofia

published on 6/10/25 11:00 AM

Photo: Sindi Nikollofski

The Bulgarian audience had the opportunity to enjoy a special performance by the Albanian singer Idriz Ameti – an artist with roots from the Republic of North Macedonia and a rich cultural history. On June 6, he presented his solo project Toka Shitet ("Land for Sale") in Sofia, presenting a warm, authentic atmosphere filled with traditional sounds.

"I am very thrilled. I have been on stage with the band Blla Blla Blla for 30 years, but this project is something completely different. This time I am alone on stage, with the shargia (an old Albanian string instrument - ed.) in my hand, and this is a new experience for me," the artist shared in an interview with Radio Bulgaria.

Ameti is known for his unique musical style, inspired by his travels and personal experiences. ‎

‎"Traveling brings new experiences, and I am constantly on the move, looking for inspiration from what I feel. I draw it from myself, and every time I travel somewhere and come back, I am inspired and almost always a good song comes out."‎

The "Land for Sale" project represents an important moment in his creative path - a bold step towards self-expression outside the collective scene.‎

‎"I am part of the Blla Blla Blla group, but I have long wanted to do something independent, solo, that is not the same or similar to what we do with the band. I had the desire to do it - and I did it. I took the "national" instrument - the shargia - and tried to bring out something from myself that has been swirling in my thoughts for a long time. And here the song came to light, the positive energy came out, many things came out that I cannot put into words I said to myself: "Yes, this is it - and I will continue!". How long it will last, I don't know."

Although it is not his first time in Bulgaria, Idriz Ameti's connections with our country remain limited due to the short time he has spent here. However, his impressions are positive:

"When I come, I only come for a concert and I socialize very little, because I return the next day. But in general, I think that Bulgarians are very calm and good people. That's all I can say. I don't know them well enough to give an opinion that they are like this or that. The first time I met people from Bulgaria, they turned out to be very good and humble."

Ameti is optimistic about the future of cultural cooperation in the region. According to him, there is still a lot of space for more frequent exchange initiatives between artists from Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Bulgaria.

"There is always a possibility for more and better. Between North Macedonia and Bulgaria, these exchanges are a little more frequent, because we are neighbors, we are very close. But with Albania and Kosovo, they are a little… I wouldn't say colder, but a little less frequent."

Currently, Idriz Ameti lives in Skopje and is focused on recording his second album, and is also planning a series of concerts in the Balkan capitals.

"I believe and hope that there will be Balkan collaborations, no matter whether with Bulgarians, Serbs, Montenegrins or Albanians. I want to collaborate and I do it with great pleasure. I have colleagues from these parts with whom I communicate almost every day and exchange experiences and I believe that a joint project will happen very soon."

For young people who are at the beginning of their artistic path, Idriz Ameti has a simple but strong message:

"To keep going and not give up. If they think they have even a little talent for what they want to do - not to give up, because experience itself accumulates over time. Giving up is the worst thing - both for the artist and the athlete, in any art. If you despair - this is a big problem. They should not give up and work hard!"

And one piece of advice to the audience: "Listen to good music, go to concerts! Because only through experience can you develop a taste for good music! "

You can hear the full interview with Idriz Ameti in Albanian HERE.

Photos: Sindi Nikollofski, Facebook - Idriz Ameti
Published in English by Rositsa Petkova

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Meeting Idriz Ameti – a musician who unites Balkan cultures

On June 6, the Albanian singer presented his solo project Toka Shitet in Sofia

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