The event focused on the exhibition “Icons of Albania, Treasures of the National Museum of Medieval Art of Korçë”, currently on display at the Museum of Fine Arts in Chambéry, and provided a platform to discuss Albania’s artistic heritage, scientific research and cultural ties with France.

Under the title “When international diplomacy inspires scientific research”, Nicolas Bousquet, director of the Chambéry museums, presented the history of the exhibition, which emerged from the twinning of the cities of Korçë and Chambéry and close cooperation with Albania’s National Museum of Medieval Art.

Maximilien Durand, director of the Louvre’s Department of Byzantine and Eastern Christian Art, offered an overview of the history of Byzantine and post-Byzantine painting in Albania. He highlighted the artistic importance of the works featured in the exhibition and the new avenues of research opened through cooperation between French and Albanian specialists.

The presentation of Albanian heritage at the Louvre added particular significance to the event, bringing Albania’s art and history into a wider European dialogue on culture, scholarship and shared heritage.

Albanian Ambassador to France Dritan Tola welcomed the opportunity to promote the country’s cultural heritage at the Louvre and praised the two speakers for their contribution.

“When diplomacy creates bridges between institutions and peoples, it also becomes a source of inspiration for scientific research, knowledge and the rediscovery of our shared European heritage,” Tola said.

The National Museum of Medieval Art expressed its appreciation to Bousquet and Durand for their work and contribution to promoting Albanian heritage, as well as to Françoise Mardrus, director of Museum Studies at the Louvre, for hosting the event.

The exhibition in Chambéry and the Louvre conference form part of a broader cultural cooperation effort linking Albania, France and European institutions through the study and promotion of Albania’s medieval artistic heritage.

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