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Albania is still competing to qualify for the group stage of Euro 2024, with a final against Spain on Monday to ensure continuity.
For the second time, Albania presented a painting selected from the best 175 works and exhibited it with the team at the UEFA exhibition in the German Football Museum in Dortmund. It was inaugurated on May 27, 2024. The painter’s son Pandi Madhi, his daughter Klaudia and granddaughter Gea attended the great event as representatives of the family. “First of all, you are surprised that on the right side in front of the entrance you read greetings written in many languages of the world, among which the Albanian one begins with the expression ‘Mirëseerdhe’. I hope that this painting will bring good luck to the delegates”, Pandi Madhi told Panorama Sport.
Pandi, tell us a little bit about this idea and what motivated your father to commit to such work?
Look at our fandom at home, me, my brother, one for Partizan, another for Dynamo or Novábrica. My father paid attention to our emotions, our reactions. Even the title “When they don’t go to the stadium” is special, he decided it based on facts and what he saw, when we, his children, were in a small room in the house, watching the games on TV. Watching TV, without going to the stadium.
Any further information about this photo for our readers?
The work was created in 1986, measures 86 cm x 123 cm, oil on canvas. When They Don’t Go to the Stadium was first exhibited on September 30, 1988 at Guri Madhi’s solo exhibition (posthumously). The second exhibition When They Don’t Go to the Stadium was held at the Albanian Art Exhibition at the Residence of the Italian Embassy in Tirana in October 2018. In July 2020, an exhibition entitled “Constructing Dreams” opened at the Pera Museum in Istanbul, with the participation of curator and artist Artan Shabani, a part of which was also When They Don’t Go to the Stadium.
How did the German contact and proposal come about?
After February 14, 2023, when we received the first “email” from the German Football Museum, we established contact through the “Pera Museum” in Istanbul and the artist Altan Shabani. In the attached materials, he explained the preparations for the exhibition (digital installation) dedicated to the “Euro 2024” titled “Art and Football in Motion”. The dialogue continued throughout 2023 and it was a very sincere and open cooperation, respecting the relevant laws in the field of copyright. The organizers asked for the right to use the images of the installation “When They Don’t Go to the Stadium” and include them in the catalogue of this exhibition, which we immediately agreed to. Just a few weeks ago, Manuel Neukirchner, director of the German Football Museum, was invited to the opening of the exhibition “Art and Football in Motion”, which was funded by the German government within the framework of the organization of the “Euro 2024”.
Were there any surprises for you in Dortmund afterwards?
We set off for Dortmund to see with our own eyes what our fathers and grandfathers had seen in this sport and art. We arrived on May 26 at about 8 am. In the center of Dortmund there is the German Football Museum, a large modern-style building. A few meters from the entrance is placed a huge football (the model used in the “2024 European Cup”), which is larger than the size of a normal person, and a small mini football field has been improvised near the ball. On the right side in front of the entrance there are greetings in many languages of the world, starting with the Albanian “mirëseerdhe”.
What is the purpose of its opening?
The exhibition embodies the European motto “Football Unites” and emphasizes the fundamental idea of Europe’s diversity and unity. “Above all, the exhibition ‘Art of Sport and Football’ makes a significant contribution to European thinking,” said Bernt Neuendorf, president of the German Football Association.
There were many entries at the beginning, but Guli Madi’s work was selected as a European finalist…
Dr. Manuel Neukirchner, the museum’s director, describes the stages of the work on the exhibition, which began four years ago. Initially, 500 works on the theme of football were selected, of which 175 were chosen, by 100 authors, including many famous writers, adding: “Thank you and honor that here are paintings by Guri Madhi, who unfortunately died in 1988, but today he is represented by his son”. The lights in the hall go out and the show begins, “Digital Installation – Sport – Art and Football” is indescribable. A real spectacle, think those who see it will be lucky.
How long will the exhibition remain open?
The exhibition will last until January 6, 2025. It is a rare combination of art and football. The world art masterpieces related to the beautiful sport of football are exhibited for the first time. Manuel Neukirchner, director of the German Football Museum, made it clear that the museum welcomes all Albanian sports fans to visit. I believe that our national football team led by coach Sylvinho will definitely take time to visit the exhibition when they are in Dortmund. I also hope that Guri Madi’s work “When They Are Not on the Field” will bring good luck to the national football team. The national team is in Düsseldorf.
Panorama Network
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