Newsletters
A new exhibition titled Memory of the Mediterranean has opened in Albania’s capital, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the region’s layered history. Hosted by the Albanian National Library, the month-long exhibition presents over 700 original items, including Ottoman-era works, ancient maps, and engraved prints that chronicle centuries of cultural exchange across the Mediterranean.
The exhibition, set within the Albanian National Library’s main building, marks Tirana’s designation as the “2025 Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue.” It is part of a wider effort to highlight the richness of the Mediterranean’s shared heritage.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Albania’s Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation Blendi Gonxhja stressed the exhibition’s role in reigniting public interest in literature and cultural memory. “Events like this remind us of the value of historical texts and the enduring power of the written word,” Gonxhja said.
Among the treasures on display are handwritten Ottoman manuscripts, books printed in multiple Mediterranean languages, and rare geographical maps produced between the 14th and 19th centuries. These items collectively underscore the region’s cross-cultural dialogue and Türkiye’s historic presence across Balkan territories.
Library Director Piro Misha noted that the exhibition also serves to highlight the depth of the National Library’s archives. “By exhibiting these original works—from calligraphic scrolls to early printed books—we offer a window into the intellectual and artistic vibrancy of past centuries,” he said.
With public interest already high, the exhibition will remain open for one month, offering scholars, students, and history enthusiasts a chance to explore the Mediterranean’s diverse narrative as told through the ink and paper of earlier ages.
2 min read
