The event took place at the “Migjeni” Theatre in Shkodra, where numerous citizens, students, and enthusiasts of culture and literature had the opportunity to view manuscripts from the poet’s creative process, excerpts from his work “Free Verses” and poems covering various themes.

A special section of the exhibition was dedicated to archival materials documenting the history and activities of the “Migjeni” Theatre over the years.

The exhibition featured manuscripts of poems such as “Song of Youth”, “Autumn on Parade, “A Sleepless Night” and “Two Lips; a formal request submitted by Migjeni to the Ministry of Education for a two-month leave of absence from teaching to undergo medical treatment; a government decision regarding the proposal to award Migjeni the title “Teacher of the People”; and a report on the repatriation of Migjeni’s remains to Albania. /j.p/r.e/p.s./

In a social media post, Rama stated that the Archive Museum at the General Directorate of Archives is a new space where history and technology converge and where the visitors have the opportunity to discover the past through documents, images, audio and interactive elements.

Opened at the General Directorate of Archives, the new Archive Museum brings history and documentary heritage closer to the public, especially young people.

Moving beyond traditional exhibits, the Archive Museum brings history to life through primary sources. The museum narrates the evolution of Albanian society using the authentic records, photographs, maps and manuscripts that documented it as it happened.

Inside the museum halls, the visitors can have a taste of rare documents and materials from very close, while the exhibition creates a narrative that begins with early documents and traces the various developments in Albania’s social, cultural and institutional life.

Tirana’s newest cultural space, the Archive Museum, bypasses traditional artifacts to tell the nation’s story through authentic documentation. History is revealed firsthand through a curated preservation of original letters, photographs, maps, and historical records.

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Preserved within the ATA archive, these wheat harvest photographs highlight a pivotal event in Albanian life. The collection captures both the hard work and the communal joy of the season. From individuals gathering and carrying heavy sacks of wheat to villagers smiling directly at the camera, these images offer an intimate glimpse into the country’s rural culture and the historic significance of agriculture to the national economy.

Dating to 1947 and 1948, these photographs document the period immediately following the 1946 Agrarian Reform. This historic policy radically restructured society by nationalizing large properties and granting free land to farmers.

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Today, this building is known as the ‘Sotir Kolea’ Center, honoring the visionary lexicographer and founder of Albanian librarianship. The remarkable 1947 photos provides a unique glimpse into this era of historical transition, capturing a time when Albania’s cultural institutions were taking shape and establishing their vital role in preserving our national memory.

The capital’s former old library, the “Sotir Kolea,” has been restored and reopened to the public. It now features a vast collection of rare books brought out of decades of hidden storage. The revitalization was supported by the Albanian government and the EU4Culture program.

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To promote cultural participation, amateur artistic groups were established across factories, industrial plants, agricultural cooperatives and even military units throughout the country.

Drawing on the rich archives of the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), a selection of photographs from 1968 offers a glimpse into this period, showing workers attending training courses to qualify as ballet instructors for amateur performance groups.

During the socialist era, nearly every institution maintained its own amateur arts ensemble. These groups typically included singers, dancers, comedians and amateur actors who performed not only for their colleagues but also represented their workplaces at major cultural events, including nationwide cultural competitions, May Day concerts and workers’ festivals.

The movement also served as an important talent pipeline for Albania’s professional arts scene. Many of the country’s best-known performers began their artistic journeys in amateur groups before pursuing professional careers.

In addition to workplace ensembles, Albania regularly organized national amateur theatre festivals and folklore competitions involving factories, cooperatives and other state institutions, reflecting the prominent role assigned to culture and collective artistic expression during the socialist period.

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Celebrated globally from spring to autumn, the kite festival is a powerful community ritual that fosters connection, sparks nostalgia, and fills the sky with shared joy.

This ritual allows us to watch our wishes take flight, providing a sense of peace and connection as they ascend.

The energy is infectious, bringing the community together to share in the dazzling aerial display.

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In Albania, May Day carried particular significance for decades, especially during the communist era, when it was marked by large-scale state-organized celebrations. In Tirana, massive parades were traditionally held along the “Martyrs of the Nation” boulevard, featuring banners, flags, and the participation of students, workers, and public sector employees.

Today, ATSH revisits a distinctive photograph from May 1, 1990, capturing a different side of the occasion during the final months of Albania’s communist regime.

Taken by photographer Gani Xhengo in the city of Korçë, the image portrays local residents choosing to spend the holiday in the hills surrounding the city, gathering outdoors for picnics and leisure rather than participating in official ceremonies.

The photograph reflects a subtle but meaningful shift in public sentiment at the time, as many Albanians increasingly sought more personal and informal ways of marking public holidays.

Following the political changes of the 1990s, the way May Day was observed in Albania evolved significantly. The occasion gradually became less associated with political demonstrations and more widely regarded as a public holiday centered on rest, recreation, and social activities.

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The photo is taken by photo-reporter A. Dhimitri.

This is a photo of Archbishop Anastasios of the Autocephalous Church of Albania who warmly welcomes guests in the courtyard of the Orthodox Church of the Holy Annunciation on Kavaja Street, marking the joyous Easter celebrations.

Archbishop Anastasios Yannoulatos, 4 November 1929 – 25 January 2025, was the Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania and as such the primate and Head of the Holy Synod of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania.

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The Archives highlighted in a post in the social media moments from the singer’s 1976 tour of Albania with her ensemble.

According to the Archives, their visit and artistic tour in our country marked a special moment of cultural exchanges, at a time when communist Albania’s international contacts were rare.

Marinella, one of Greece’s most iconic voices, brought to the Albanian public a repertoire that bridges diverse linguistic and cultural landscapes, showing that music builds bridges between peoples.

The Central State Film Archive emphasized that, “While we heard the sad news of her passing away, we remember her not only as an icon of Greek music, but also as an artist who left an indelible trace on Albanian cultural memory.”

Marinella passed away two days ago at the age of 87, leaving behind a priceless musical work, having carved her name in the history of Greek song for nearly 70 years. /k.s/r.e/p.s./

Often referred to as the Artificial Lake or by the church of Saint Prokop, the Grand Park of Tirana is the capital’s largest, most popular green space.

Initiated in the 1950s by volunteers, the park’s master plan for the hilly landscape was designed in 1957 by Valentina Pistoli, Albania’s first female architect.

A team of Bulgarian architects later joined the project to continue development.

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