The exhibition which this year celebrates its 15th edition has become a year-end annual tradition for the historical town of Berat, which in mid-2008 was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list as a rare example of an architectural character typical of the Ottoman period.
TIRANA, Dec. 28 – More than 149 works by 121 artists mostly ethnic Albanians but also foreign ones are being displayed in the Edward Lear gallery of the southern UNESCO town of Berat as part of the 15th edition of the Lear annual exhibition.
The “Lear 2011” exhibition, inaugurated in mid-December 2011, features visual artworks by artists from Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro but also foreign ones from Turkey and France. Since its inception 15 year ago, the annual Lear exhibition has been conceived as an opportunity for local artists to boost their art exchanges with Albanian and foreign artists.
The exhibition which this year celebrates its 15th edition has become a year-end annual tradition for the historical town of Berat, which in mid-2008 was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list as a rare example of an architectural character typical of the Ottoman period.
Open since 1994, the gallery named after British author Edward Lear, is one of the eldest and most important galleries in Albania. Its collection reveals the contemporary and traditional works of arts by Albanian and foreign artists.
Berat, also known as the city of 1001 windows, is acclaimed for its cultural heritage, especially for the famous icons created by renowned 16 century painter Onufri.
Located in central Albania, Berat bears witness to the coexistence of various religious and cultural communities down the centuries. A town of 64,000 inhabitants, it features a castle, locally known as the Kala, most of which was built in the 13th century, although its origins date back to the 4th century BC. The citadel area numbers many Byzantine churches, mainly from the 13th century, several of which contain valuable wall paintings and icons. The town also numbers several mosques built under Ottoman era which started in 1417. Berat also has several houses for religious communities, notably some used by Sufi brotherhoods in the 18th century and well-preserved housing in a distinct style.
