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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The performance was realized at “Skënderbej” square in central Tirana, as a moment of celebration and as a sign of gratitude for all those who have helped Amarildo Ruçi in his artistic journey.

Some time ago, the painter himself and also Minister of Culture Margariti said that Amarildo was invited to participate in the exhibition “Focus Art Fair”, in Paris, from September 1-4.

The performance in “Skënderbej” square was realized with the support of the Ministry of Culture.

“More and more close to young artists”, writes Minister Margariti, sharing the news of the exhibition on social networks./p.s./

Back to Albania after more than 20 years, Durand saw closely the changes made during these years, in terms of preservation and exposure of these assets with great value.

Director of the Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage, Korça, Gjergji Koki, said to ATA that, “The visit of one of the most important directors of the Louvre Museum, receives special attention, as the promotion he makes to the area is of interest for religious and cultural tourism, but also for the exchange, in the future of experiences and techniques of restoration and conservation of this heritage”.

Durand praised the work done at the Museum of Medieval Art as an example of promoting and exhibiting icons, emphasizing that, “This museum is unique in its kind in the Balkan region, in terms of the fund it has.”

Durand also praised the work done to preserve the icons, in ideal, professional conditions and of world standards.

Further on, he continued his journey in the church complex of Voskopoja, among which he highly appreciated St. Nicholas Church.

“This is the “Mona Lisa” of the Albanian iconographic art”, said Durand. The clothes of the saints in the murals of Zografi, Shpataraku and Selenica attracted his attention the most.

He emphasized the work for the conservation and structural preservation of the churches in Voskopoja, as he has done a study on them, especially for the costumes in the murals.

Durand stressed the need for intervention in the frescoes, as well as their conservation.

He also visited the Church of the Assumption, a 13th century church, where he saw closely the restoration processes which guarantee a dignified preservation.

Director of the Louvre was accompanied on this visit by two experts in the art of cultural heritage of Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage Korça who assisted him during his visit to the city of Korça. Further he will continue his visit to Albania in the city of Berat, where there are other pearls of medieval art./p.s./