British specialists in Tirana to provide training on arms’ preservation

TIRANA, Nov. 7 – British specialists have arrived in Albania to train Albanian museologists in the preservation of arms featured at the National Museum of History. British restorer Andy Holbrook describes the conservation of arms as very specific because of requiring unchanged preservation and display conditions. Albanian restorer Frederik Stamati says Albanian museums lack qualified restorers and appropriate storage and display conditions. He unveils that several ceremonial arms will be restored.
In late 2012, military weapons and items dating back from the Middle Ages to the early 1990s when the country’s communist regime collapsed were publicly displayed for the first time in the newly established Historical Museum of the Albanian Armed Forces. Inaugurated in the premises of the former Military Academy, currently The Albanian Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), the museum features armament and military weapons used from Skanderbeg’s era in the late 15th century to the late 20th century just before the collapse of the 45-year communist regime. Swords, maces, dozens of kinds of rifles, pistols, ammunition, but even heavy artillery and aircraft and Albanian flags have been put on display in the newly designed museum which also commemorates the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Albanian armed forces.
Conceived by a special working group with representatives of the Armed Forces, the Institute of History and curated by Albanian modern artists Genc Permeti and Ardian Isufi, the museum showcases two main pavilions the 1470-1945 historical era pavilion and the 1945-1990 communist regime pavillion. A special space has also been reserved to the exhibition of Albanian flags from the country independence in 1912 to 1924. The museum’s second floor features uniforms of Albanian armed forces. A special exhibition room has been dedicated to national hero Skanderbeg with some of his battles against the ottoman army and armament used at that time featured. The museum’s outside premises showcase military aircraft, tanks and anti-aircraft guns. A special corner has also been dedicated to photography through the famous Marubi collection which showcases 50 men in traditional costumes and carrying arms.