At this year’s ALForum, hosted at the National Opera of Tirana, I had the opportunity to present my work “Suitcase as a Capsule of the Familiar” — a small participatory experience exploring the portable aesthetics of belonging.
What we carry — beyond objects
The suitcase becomes more than a practical item. It transforms into a capsule — of memory, personal rhythm, emotional anchors. Through simple materials — scents, textures, small familiar objects — we created quiet, personal moments. We didn’t aim to impress. We aimed to notice what connects us.
A quiet space within a dynamic Forum
ALForum brought together hundreds of cultural professionals, activists and artists from across the Mediterranean and Europe. Amidst the discussions and intense networking, our little space offered pause. A net, some postcards, materials to touch and smell — these became tools for reconnecting with what we carry inside us, often unnoticed.
Portable Aesthetics — belonging beyond borders
Through this project, I seek to explore how aesthetics — in their most human, everyday form — travel with us. How we carry pieces of the familiar, even when we are far from home. Suitcase as a Capsule of the Familiar is an invitation to reconnect with those fragments.
Grateful for the opportunity
I thank the ALForum team for the space, the participants for their presence, and everyone who believes that small, silent experiences can leave lasting impressions.
The suitcase remains open. What do you carry?