Edi Rama (born Edvin Rama, on 4 July 1964) is an Albanian politician, painter, publicist, professor, and former athlete. Currently he is the leader of the Socialist Party of Albania, the biggest party in Albania , by wining the most of votes as a party in the last eight election. He has served as board member at the local Soros Open Society Foundation of Albania, president of the Association of Mayors of Albania, and as Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports of Albania. Edi Rama was Mayor of Tirana for three terms from 2000 to 2011. He is married to Lindita Xhillari (née Basha) and has 2 children. Edi Rama was born to Kristaq Rama, a native of Durres and renown sculptor, and Aneta Rama (nee Koleka), a graduate in medicine. As a teenager Rama got involved in sports by becoming a player of a leading basketball team. Following the collapse of Communism in Albania, he became involved with the first democratic movements. He entered the newly formed Democratic Party (DP) but soon left after a quarrel over ideological matters with the party leader, Sali Berisha. At the same time, he published a book with various notes together with publicist Ardian Klosi entitled Refleksione, while being a professor at the Academy of Arts of Albania.