TIRANA, Oct 22 /ATA/ – A rare collection of photographs by Swiss anthropologist Eugène Pittard during his travels through Albania in the 1920s has gone on public display for the first time, offering a unique visual record of Albanian life, culture and landscapes from over a century ago.
The exhibition, hosted at the Centre for Openness and Dialogue (COD) in the Prime Minister’s Office, in Tirana is supported by the Swiss Embassy in Albania. It brings back to Albania images not seen in the country for nearly 100 years.
Curated by Elton Koritari, the exhibition explores Albania through the lens of Pittard – a scholar, humanist and advocate of Albanian sovereignty – who documented everyday life, rural communities and emerging urban centres during his visits in 1921 and 1924.
Swiss Ambassador Ruth Huber, who attended the opening, described Pittard’s photographs as more than historical documentation. “These are expressions of admiration and respect. Through these images, we can see Albania as Pittard saw it: a land of stunning beauty, deep culture, and humanity,” she said.
Publicist and writer Luan Rama noted Pittard’s deep connection to Albania, saying the anthropologist saw parallels between the Swiss and Albanian peoples, even calling Albania “the Switzerland of the East.”
“He wasn’t just a researcher; he became a passionate witness to a country in transition, capturing faces and lives absent from Albanian archives today,” Rama added.
Koritari, the curator, emphasized that Pittard approached his subjects with empathy rather than detachment. “He viewed Albanians not as objects of study but as living witnesses to a history worth preserving and sharing.”
Historian Kudret Isaj recalled Pittard’s broader contributions, including his role in archaeological research – notably the discovery of Neolithic remains in southern Albania – and his humanitarian efforts, such as securing quinine for Albanian children during malaria outbreaks.
In addition to the photo exhibition, visitors experienced a VR-enhanced archival film blending historical footage with modern technology, offering an immersive journey through Pittard’s Albania. An official catalogue featuring rare images and documents was also released.
The exhibition runs through November 13, 2025, and is part of a wider initiative to highlight Pittard’s contributions to Albania, including his advocacy for the country’s admission to the League of Nations in 1920 and his founding of the Albanian Red Cross.
Pittard’s 1920 pamphlet “Pour l’Albanie”, published in Geneva’s La Suisse newspaper, was a powerful call for international recognition of Albania’s sovereignty. Further events honouring Pittard’s legacy are planned throughout 2025 and 2026.
/j.p/r.e/u.sh/
