The exhibition highlights the work of the Albanian-American photographer who revolutionized action photography and made a significant contribution to the intersection of art and science.

Through experiments with light, motion and photography, Gjon Mili challenged traditional ways of perceiving images, succeeding in capturing moments that last only fractions of a second.

Sports photography occupies a special place in his work, transforming athletic movement, dynamic leaps and raw physical energy into fine art. These images reveal details the naked eye misses, turning motion into pure visual expression.

Through this retrospective, the public has the opportunity to gain a closer look at Gjon Mili’s creative universe and the way he transformed photography into a space for experimentation between technology and art. The exhibition is open every day, from 09:00 to 19:00, at the “Marubi” national museum of photography. /j.p/p.s./

For the first time, original manuscripts of some of Dritëro Agolli’s most renowned works were exhibited in this space, including the novels “The Rose in the Glass”, “The Failure”, and “The Devil’s Chest”, as well as the manuscript for “Poem for Father and Myself”. The visitors also had the opportunity to view poetry notebooks, manuscripts of short stories and translations, and first editions of the writer’s works.

Anisa Ymeri, Director of the Agolli House-Studio, told ATA that the return of the manuscripts to the house where they were created holds great significance and value for the museum.

“In this way, the visitors and readers can engage more deeply with the work while also witnessing the creative process,” said Ymeri, drawing attention to a particular highlight of the exhibition: a copy of the banned 1968 play “The Second Face”, which had been slated for production at the National Theatre by director Piro Mani.

Alongside the manuscripts, the exhibition featured a personal collection of fountain pens, ballpoint pens and ink bottles that Dritëro Agolli had amassed over his lifetime.

In collaboration with the National Library of Albania, the first editions of the author’s works were also displayed, offering the public significant insight into his literary output.

The event was organized thanks to the cooperation of the writer’s daughter, Elona, ​​and the Dritëro Agolli Cultural Foundation, both of whom contribute to preserving and promoting his legacy. The evening was accompanied by guitar music, shared memories and conversations among friends and readers of Dritëro’s work, transforming his home into a gathering place for all those who continue to cherish and appreciate the writer—a testament to the enduring vitality of his work.

The exhibition will remain open until December 31. /j.p/p.s./

The exhibition featured official correspondence, travel documents and diplomatic records that bear witness to profound acts of courage, solidarity and human resilience during one of history’s darkest chapters.

Ministers Hoxha and Sa’ar personally examined archival documents detailing the efforts of Albanian officials and diplomats to protect Jews fleeing Nazi persecution. These records highlight how Albania became a sanctuary, offering refuge both to its resident Jewish population and to the many others who traveled there seeking safety.

Behind every passport, visa, official letter and carefully crafted false identity lay a human life and the hope for survival. The ministers also visited the “Tree of Memory,” planted on Holocaust Remembrance Day as a symbol of remembrance, responsibility and friendship. The olive tree bears messages from students of the “Sami Frashëri” high school in Tirana and the “Refik Veseli” school in Berlin.

“From the courageous actions of those who—guided by *Besa*, the Albanian code of honor—chose humanity over indifference and courage over fear, to the young people who keep their memory alive today, this legacy continues to be passed on across borders and generations. It remains a powerful foundation for the enduring friendship and partnership between Albania and Israel,” stated the press release from the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. /m.m/a.f/r.e/p.s./

The exhibition features intimate portraits of nine women from across the Balkans, documenting their daily lives, careers, passions, and personal experiences in cities like Tirana, Belgrade, Sarajevo and Banja Luka.

Combining photography and personal narratives, this project challenges oversimplified stereotypes surrounding Balkan women, instead illuminating their diverse stories of resilience, pride, adversity and everyday joy.

In Tirana, the exhibition showcases photographs by AFP photojournalist Adnan Beci, who captured the portraits of Blerina Vrenozi, Elida Zhulati and Luna Causholli.

At the opening ceremony—attended by the French Ambassador to Albania Catherine Suard, as well as guests from the arts, culture, and media sectors—photoreporter Beci thanked the attendees and the women who participated in the project, emphasizing that creating the exhibition was a major undertaking and a significant process.

Blerina Vrenozi, a spider specialist, researcher, and lecturer at the University of Tirana, shared her experience as a woman in science and the challenges she has faced throughout her professional journey. She emphasized that there have been numerous challenges—not only in the scientific field, but also due to social gender prejudices.

“So, never give up, everything is possible,” Vrenozi stated.

She also spoke about her research—particularly her studies on spiders and butterflies—linking her personal experience to the importance of perseverance and the opportunities available to women in science.

Also featured in the exhibition is Elida Zhulati from Gjirokastra, who preserves the craft of traditional embroidery. She spoke about her connection to her profession, her city and tradition, highlighting that she has continued to safeguard this heritage despite difficult times.

Meanwhile, young singer-songwriter Luna Causholli expressed her gratitude to her family and everyone who contributed to the project, describing it as a unique experience for women.

The exhibition is conceived as an opportunity to hear the voices of women from the Balkans and to look beyond the stereotypes that have often surrounded them. Spanning from Tirana to Banja Luka, the stories of nine women reflect their lives across various professions, environments and circumstances, addressing themes such as freedom, work, motherhood, economics, appearance and confronting prejudice.

The photographs are accompanied by personal narratives that present the protagonists’ perspectives on what it means to be a woman in the present-day Balkans.

This photography project was produced by AFP contributors in the Balkans—Adnan Beci in Albania and Elvic Barukçiq in Bosnia—under the editorial direction of Andrej Isaković. Curation and interviews were handled by Camille Bouissou, with contributions from AFP journalists in the region.

The physical exhibition is complemented by a multilingual online platform featuring an expanded photo gallery, written narratives and audio material.

“Unbounded Voices: Women of the Balkans – Strength & Legacy” will be open at Vila 31 x Art Explora until October 2, inviting visitors to discover the stories and voices of the women behind the images. /p.s./

The exhibition offers previously unpublished archival material on the origins and evolution of relations between the two countries, including diplomatic exchanges and bilateral economic and cultural agreements.

The opening was attended by DPA Deputy Director General Endrit Musaj, Chinese Deputy Ambassador to Albania Huang Xuehu, China Media Group journalist Gëzim Podgorica, international relations researcher Gjon Boriçi, and representatives of the Confucius Institute, Jin Qiao and Glendi Xhani.

“Documents have a unique way of bringing us closer to history. They speak not only through later memories, but through the language of the time in which they were created. They preserve decisions, correspondence, meetings, ideas and relations which, taken together, help us better understand a particular historical period,” Musaj said.

Podgorica praised the DPA’s efforts to strengthen cooperation with China’s counterpart archival institution.

“The opportunities for communication are broad and have a positive effect, allowing cooperation across our bridge of friendship to grow continuously. If we encourage these efforts and identify areas for cooperation, I am sure our work and friendship will continue to grow,” he said.

Among the documents on display is a 1949 record in which the Chinese side sought to establish diplomatic relations with Albania, along with a document relating to the opening of Albania’s embassy in China in 1954.

The exhibition was organised as part of Chinese Culture Week and follows a recent meeting between DPA Director General Auron Rrokaj and Chinese Ambassador to Albania Pang Chunxue.

1 of 6

/j.p/u.sh/

The artworks were curated by cultural specialist Stefan Arseni, who acquired several of the pieces as gifts.

The exhibition drew a diverse crowd of artists, associates, and foreign tourists currently visiting the city. For these travelers, the showcase offers an extra layer of cultural discovery, beautifully complementing Gjirokastër’s historic monuments and landmarks.

“The collection features a diverse range of techniques, spanning both painting and sculpture. I have nurtured my passion by gathering pieces from various regions; the selection is not limited to artists from Gjirokastra, but also includes creators from across Albania and Kosovo,” Arseni told the media.

Painter Edi Kojani noted, ‘This is an exceptionally rich collection that spans a wide range of genres, including painting and sculpture, and features various techniques. We see oil paintings, watercolors, drawings, graphic art, and pastels here.

Stefan Arseni began collecting these artworks prior to the 1990s. Having spent his entire career in cultural and artistic institutions, he has held key leadership positions, including director of the Tepelena Palace of Culture, the Gjirokastra Library, and the “Zihni Sako” Theater, as well as culture inspector for the Executive Committee. Despite officially retiring nearly three decades ago, Arseni remains deeply active in revitalizing the cultural and artistic life of Gjirokastra.

/p.s./

To highlight this page of Albanian history, where Albanian families became an “oasis of hope” for Jews, there was opened today an exhibition in the presence of a group of history teachers from Albania and Kosovo.

The exhibition was held within the framework of a seminar organized by the History Teachers Association, in collaboration with the Institute for Studies on the Crimes and Consequences of Communism (ISKK) and “The Olga Lengyel Institute for Holocaust Studies and Human Rights” (TOLI).

Through documents and photographs, the participants got acquainted with the efforts of the state authorities of the time to ensure the smooth stay of Jews in Albania, as well as the stories of solidarity and hospitality of Albanian families.

During the visit, the history teachers also stopped at the work premises of the General Directorate of Archives (DPA), where they got acquainted with the activities and services that the institution offers to citizens and researchers.

The history of the protection and hospitality of Jews in Albania during the years of World War II remains one of the most significant testimonies of the solidarity and humanism of Albanians, conveying even today the universal values ​​of respect for life and human dignity.

/k.s/a.f/p.s./

Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports, Blendi Gonxhja, said on Monday that the exhibition offers “an invitation to international audiences to discover Albania through its culture, art and extraordinary heritage,” while also promoting Korça as an important cultural tourism destination.

“More than 45 selected icons, including works by Onufri, the Zografi brothers and Kostandin the Teacher, are bringing a part of our identity to France and creating a new bridge to a tourist Albania – a country offering history, culture, tradition and authentic experiences in every season,” Gonxhja said.

The exhibition will remain open until November 13, 2026.

It is the first time that 45 selected icons from the extensive collection of the National Museum of Medieval Art have been presented to the French public.

The exhibition is intended to strengthen cultural cooperation between Albania and France and showcase the country’s heritage on the European cultural stage.

/k.s/a.f/u.sh/

The General Directorate of Archives (DPA) and Tirana’s Parks and Recreation Agency launched an open-air exhibition featuring rare 20th-century glass-negative photographs by Korça pioneers Vani Burda and Thimi Raci, showcasing daily life, urban landscapes and suburban portraits from the DPA Photo Library.

According to the DPA, around 10 thousand photographs belong to the Vani Burda and Thimi Raci fund, while the Photo Library of the General Directorate of Archives preserves a total of around 135 thousand original photographs.

This collection features roughly 41,000 photographs capturing the political, social, and cultural history of Albania and its people up to 1944. A second major collection of about 43,000 photographs from the Luce Institute documents the period of the fascist occupation.

Archival photographs do more than preserve history and art. They act as direct proof of Albanian life over time, holding the faces and events that shape our national memory.

Digitization of the DPA Photo Library speeds up public access and image downloads. It also protects these historic photographs in their original form for the future.

This exhibition at Rinia Park in Tirana opens up historical archives for everyone, showing how photography keeps Albania’s past alive. /j.p/p.s./

Titled “Fustanella”, the exhibition presents the garment not only as traditional attire but also as an enduring element of Albania’s cultural heritage and national identity.

The collection features works by artist Fatos Sojati, whose interpretations combine traditional motifs with contemporary artistic expression. The exhibition attracted interest from local visitors and foreign tourists, many of whom stopped to explore the pieces and their cultural significance.

Organisers said the exhibition seeks to create a dialogue between tradition and modern art, offering a fresh perspective on a garment that has long been associated with Albanian history and identity.

The fustanella, a pleated skirt traditionally worn by men, has been part of Albanian cultural life for centuries, particularly in southern regions of the country. Widely regarded as a symbol of identity, pride and resilience, it remains one of the most distinctive elements of Albania’s traditional heritage.

By bringing the fustanella into a contemporary artistic setting, the exhibition aims to promote awareness of Albania’s cultural traditions while engaging new audiences with the country’s rich historical legacy.

/j.p/u.sh/