Reviving Albania's Literary Legacy
EU-Funded advanced technology open doors to rich literary treasures in Albania.
19/09/2023
The “Sotir Kolea” Center in Tirana bears the name of a renowned figure in Albanian culture. Serving as the director of the National Library of Albania from 1928 to 1937, he played a pivotal role in shaping the foundations of librarianship in Albania. Furthermore, he significantly expanded the library’s collections with Albanological materials. Situated within a historically significant edifice, the “Sotir Kolea” Center holds dual importance. In 1912, following the declaration of independence in Vlorë, it was here that the Albanian flag was hoisted for the first time in Tirana. Subsequently, in 1920, this venue served as the setting for the establishment of Tirana as the new capital and the formation of the inaugural government following the Congress of Lushnjë.
Over the years, the center functioned as an “Annex” of the National Library, housing hundreds of thousands of books, many of which had been confiscated from individuals and institutions during the communist era in Albania. Today, following extensive renovations, this rich literary treasure trove is finally accessible to the public.
“These are books that have never been accessible to the public. They have been kept under different conditions, but now they are made available to readers. It’s a significant event, very important for everyone.”
Piro Misha, National Library DirectorThe Sotir Kolea Center, formerly known as an annex of the National Library, suffered extensive damage during the earthquake in 2019. Thanks to the support of the Albanian government and UNOPS through the EU-funded EU4 Culture project, the library has been revitalized. The Albanian National Library Fund now boasts cutting-edge equipment worth €668,922, encompassing servers, book and barcode scanners, laptops, tablets, specialized book dust and vacuum cleaners, sanitizers, dehumidification chambers, as well as book cleaning and deacidification machines. This technology will play a pivotal role in preserving Albania’s rich culture and heritage while making books accessible online.
Earlier this summer, the library was officially reopened, and it received distinguished visitors, including H.E. Minister of Culture Ms. Elva Margariti, H.E. the EU Ambassador to Albania Ms. Christiane Hohmann, UNOPS Albania Country Manager Ms. Pamela Lama, along with other experts in the field and members of the media. National Library Director Mr. Piro Misha warmly welcomed them and conducted a tour of the library’s remarkable rooms, showcasing the new equipment and elucidating its functionalities for the guests and media representatives. Director Misha remarked, “These are books that have never been accessible to the public. They have been kept under different conditions, but now they are made available to readers. It’s a significant event, very important for everyone.”
“This equipment will guarantee the utmost standards in book preservation and restoration, enhance efficiency by enabling the treatment of a greater volume of books in a shorter timeframe, and broaden access to collections for researchers, scholars, and the general public. Furthermore, it sets a commendable precedent for other libraries and archives nationwide.”
Pamela Lama, UNOPS Albania Country ManagerPamela Lama, UNOPS Albania Country Manager, conveyed her appreciation to the European Delegation to Albania for selecting UNOPS as a reliable partner in executing this project, and she commended the Ministry of Culture for their productive cooperation. She stated, “This equipment will guarantee the utmost standards in book preservation and restoration, enhance efficiency by enabling the treatment of a greater volume of books in a shorter timeframe, and broaden access to collections for researchers, scholars, and the general public. Furthermore, it sets a commendable precedent for other libraries and archives nationwide,” as emphasised by Ms. Lama.
About the project
The EU4Culture project is funded by the European Union (EU) and is implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in close partnership with the Ministry of Culture of Albania. It focuses on renovation and revitalization of major cultural heritage sites damaged by the earthquake and represents one of the largest cultural heritage programmes funded by the European Union with a total budget of € 40 million.
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Photo credits: EU4 Culture