TIRANA, June 30/ATA/-Tower C in the castle of Durrës is restored to its former condition after it partially collapsed during the devastating earthquake of 2019.
The reconstruction of Tower C was realized thanks to support of the Ministry of Culture and the financial support of the US Ambassador’s fund for the preservation of cultural heritage as well as the Swedish agency “Cooperation for International Development”.
Attending the event was Minister of Culture Elva Margariti, as well as the US and Swedish ambassadors of the two countries that contributed to the reconstruction of the tower. This was the second time the tower was rebuilt, with the same materials it had before, thus preserving its authenticity.
“Albania’s cultural monuments, such as this tower and the Preza Castle, which we inaugurated last month,” said Ambassador Kim, “have a history to tell us and future generations.”
“I hope that young people will see these fortifications as a symbol of Albania’s rich heritage and, now, as a symbol of the deep friendship between the United States and Albania,” Kim said.
Ambassador Kim further said that the US Embassy was proud to be able to support the restoration of Tower C through the US Ambassador’s fund for the preservation of cultural heritage.
While the Swedish ambassador Elsa Hastad added that it is amazing that throughout this history this tower has been a point of defense and attack.
“This is where we are all together now, at a time when foreign relations are built on trust, cooperation and friendship,” Hastad said.
While Minister of Culture Elva Margariti cast the idea that the name that the tower bears is not worthy of the history conveyed by this fortress, and that it will be the archaeologists who will decide on another name.
In addition to a spectacle with visual effects on the tower walls, the participants also listened to a concert by Harvard University’s “a cappella” group of 12 students at Harvard University, who sang jazz, pop, swing and funk of the most beautiful American songs and beyond. Every summer, the group makes international tours and they visit Albania for the first time in the framework of the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two countries.
The same group will perform tonight at “Reja”, for the public of Tirana./p.s./
