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Art on glass/ Korça painter Eduard Meminaj brings the festive spirit to the city's neighborhoods

2025-12-22 09:45:00, Qyteti im CNA

Art on glass/ Korça painter Eduard Meminaj brings the festive spirit to

On the eve of the end-of-year holidays, the streets and neighborhoods of Korça are taking on an increasingly festive appearance thanks to the art of painter Eduard Meminaj.

Through glass paintings, he is turning shop windows, windows and commercial spaces into colorful tableaux, bringing the spirit of Christmas and New Year closer to citizens. Winter landscapes, snow-covered tourist villages, decorated fir trees, characteristic houses and symbolic characters of the end of the year come to life on glass. Colors and light create a warm festive atmosphere, while the paintings are often made directly, in front of passers-by, making art part of the city's everyday life.

CNA brings the profile of the Korçë painter Eduard Meminaj, who talks about his passion and love for painting. He is 49 years old and began his artistic journey at the age of 10. Inspired by his father, who was a painter, he became interested in paintbrushes and colors early on. Although he was unable to complete his studies due to the difficulties of the time, his passion for painting remained unchanged and accompanied him throughout his life.

Art on glass/ Korça painter Eduard Meminaj brings the festive spirit to

"I started painting as a child, my father was a painter. Then the system changed, I had a break because of that time, but as a child I started painting with a brush," says Meminaj.

Currently, Meminaj has a small studio where he mainly deals with tattoos, which also constitute his daily activity. The paintings are mainly made to order, both on canvas, as well as on murals and on glass, while the end of the year period is the busiest for him, as the requests increase significantly and the deadlines are short. The painter from Korçë shows that today he is painting in a friend's bar, transforming his shop window into a beautiful and festive landscape. Among other things, Meminaj says that painting on glass requires a special technique and the use of paints resistant to rain and atmospheric conditions, which distinguishes it from painting on canvas or walls.

"Currently I have a small studio where I do tattoos, I have my daily job almost. They ask me for canvases, I work mostly on orders via phone calls, as well as for murals. Today I started here in my neighborhood, after I had given my word to a friend of mine, and I am decorating his place. I also have a few other jobs planned and that ends this year. For painting on glass, you need the kind of paints that even if it rains, it won't ruin it. This is the most important thing. There is a lot of difference between canvas, wall and glass because different paints are used, acrylic, oil, different colors according to the person's wishes", - says the painter.

For about a decade, glass painting has become one of the most distinctive forms of his work. This artistic initiative began around 2015-2016 and today is a beloved element of the end-of-year decor in Korça.

"I don't remember exactly, but I would say that I started painting on glass in 2015 or 2016. I am satisfied with this work that I am doing because I do it with passion, with pleasure, with desire. The end of the year is a very busy period for me because everyone wants to do it as soon as possible, as early as possible, and I, as a single person, am unable to achieve everything," says the painter.

Client preferences vary, but the most sought-after remain winter landscapes and tourist villages, with small houses, fir trees and characteristic holiday elements. Many of those who know his work entrust the choice to the artist, leaving him complete freedom in creation, due to the experience and consolidated style he has built over the years.

"Preferences are different. They prefer tourist villages, fir trees, houses, and landscapes. Most people who know me leave it to my discretion because they know that I make the right choices. Today I will make a tourist village, with a few houses, fir trees, and a sleigh with Santa Claus and reindeer," says Meminaj.

Art on glass/ Korça painter Eduard Meminaj brings the festive spirit to

This end-of-year period is one of the most satisfying for the painter, both professionally and economically. Although his main focus during the year is tattoos, painting remains the passion that has accompanied him since childhood and continues to be an important part of his artistic life.

"This end-of-year period pleases me in every way, both the satisfaction of my profession and the economic side is not bad. During the year I mostly deal with tattoos, the paintings are commissioned. Painting is not a daily job, while tattoos are almost a daily requirement. I returned to the profession even though I dropped out of school. The great desire to paint made me continue as much as possible," the painter says.

At a time when the daily rhythm often leaves art in the background, Eduard Meminaj's glass paintings remind us that creativity can be part of public spaces and everyday life. Through his brush and colors, he brings not only festive decor, but also emotion, warmth and a sense of togetherness on the eve of the new year.

The decorated storefronts and windows become stopping points for passersby, while the city gains a more vibrant and welcoming appearance. This art, simple in form but rich in content, proves that a passion born in childhood can be transformed into a valuable contribution to the community. /CNA