The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the fourth Diaspora Summit. Gonxhja said the project aims to preserve and convey, through specialised museum curation and interpretation, one of the most significant chapters of Albania’s history and identity.

The museum will highlight the stories of Albanian families who sheltered and saved Jews during World War Two, embodying the values associated with “Besa” – a traditional Albanian code of honour encompassing loyalty, hospitality and protection of guests.

“We are taking an important step towards implementing this project, which is expected to be completed within 36 months,” Gonxhja said.

The project will be financed entirely through donations and philanthropic contributions.

Gonxhja described the initiative as a project of particular importance for historical and cultural tourism, adding it would serve as a landmark of collective memory and reflection in central Tirana, and as a source of pride and inspiration for future generations and international visitors.

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“It is the day to turn our eyes towards one of the most tragic chapters of human history to remember and honor the innocent victims and praise the courageous acts of those who chose humanity in the face of darkness,” Gonxhja said.

“On this day of reflection, we also honor the Albanian people, who, driven by the ancient tradition of hospitality and the Albanian code of honor known as ‘Besa’, literally ‘to keep the promise’, saved hundreds of Jews from persecution by opening the doors of their homes during World War II,” Gonxhja added.

He went on saying that Albanians’ heroism is a rare example of solidarity and humanity, will soon be immortalized in the “Besa” museum being built in the heart of Tirana. The new cultural museum will preserve and showcase a golden age of Albania, that of saving Jews during the World War II, and the facility will also provide a space for opinions, debates, artistic and cultural expressions about tolerance, solidarity and humanism.

Besa Museum will be closely linked with the Hebrew Museum in Vlora. The project will see the restoration and upgrade of the historic building near the Tirana Castle complex.

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The Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation, Blendi Gonxhja, said in a social media post on Sunday that discussions focused on restoration, preservation of cultural landscapes and the enrichment of narratives related to this particular cultural heritage.

According to the Minister, the project is designed to build new spaces aimed at conveying the message of unity and Albanian cultural traditions.

“The project is the product of a competition in 2023 aimed at turning this monument of culture into a museum to showcase one of fundamental values of Albanian identity: Besa. The project is designed to build a space that conveys the message of unity and Albanian cultural tradition,” Gonxhja wrote.

The new cultural museum will preserve and showcase a golden age of Albania, that of saving Jews during the World War II, and the facility will also provide a space for opinions, debates, artistic and cultural expressions about tolerance, solidarity and humanism.

A design by the Swiss architecture studio “Oppenheim Architecture” won the international competition on Besa Museum, commemorating glorious history of saving Jews during the World War II.

The goal is to obtain contemporary and visionary concepts for interventions of an architectural and restorative character for the rehabilitation and adaptation of the existing building, as well as revitalization interventions, which aim to add a new cultural space to the capital, harmonized and in strong relations with the environment and the surrounding historical area.

Besa Museum will be closely linked with the Hebrew Museum in Vlora. The project will see the restoration and upgrade of the historic building near the Tirana Castle complex.

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The government head noted that the new cultural museum will preserve and showcase a golden age of Albania, that of saving Jews during the World War II, and the facility will also provide a space for opinions, debates, artistic and cultural expressions about tolerance, solidarity and humanism.

A design by the Swiss architecture studio “Oppenheim Architecture” has been declared winning design after an international competition on Besa Museum, commemorating glorious history of saving Jews during the World War II.

The goal is to obtain contemporary and visionary concepts for interventions of an architectural and restorative character for the rehabilitation and adaptation of the existing building, as well as revitalization interventions, which aim to add a new cultural space to the capital, harmonized and in strong relations with the environment and the surrounding historical area.

Besa Museum will be closely linked with the Hebrew Museum in Vlora. The project will see the restoration and upgrade of the historic building near the Tirana Castle complex.

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Prime Minister Rama said that the new cultural museum will preserve and showcase a golden age of Albania, that of saving Jews during the World War II, and the facility will also provide a space for opinions, debates, artistic and cultural expressions about tolerance, solidarity and humanism.

Architectural design “Oppenheim Architecture” was declared the winner of an international competition on Besa Museum, commemorating glorious history of saving Jews during the World War II.

The project – backed by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Albania – will restore and upgrade an existing historic building within the Tirana Castle complex close to the Brutalist-style 1988 Pyramid of Tirana.

The goal is to obtain contemporary and visionary concepts for interventions of an architectural and restorative character for the rehabilitation and adaptation of the existing building, as well as revitalization interventions, which aim to add a new cultural space to the capital, harmonized and in strong relations with the environment and the surrounding historical area.

Focusing on ‘Besa’ and the role it played in protecting Jewish people from persecution – the museum will feature exhibition spaces, a reception area, a reading room, shops, coffee bar, changing rooms, administrative offices and storage space.

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