TIRANA, April 16 – The landmark Marubi photo collection in the northern city of Shkodra which houses more than 500,000 photos and negatives tracing the beginning of Albanian photography in the 19th century will be restored under a project supported by the Albanian-American Development Foundation.
More than 1.5 million euros has been made available for the restoration of the famous archive of the golden age of Albanian photography by the Albanian government, the AADF and the European Commission.
“This project of European standards will guarantee an appropriate museum for tourists to Shkodra especially the downtown pedestrian area,” said a government representative at the launch of the project this week.
The museum’s restoration and revitalization includes physical renovation, the extension of services to visitors, building technical capacities and a new approach for its self-financing.
AADF Chairman Michael Granoff said the project was an example of cooperation among central and local government and community stakeholders providing something special for Albania.
The museum is a photographic archive of more than 500,000 photos and negatives dating back to the 19th century which capture life and historic events in Albania and the region. Most film is undeveloped and this project aims to bring this wealth of cultural heritage to light.
The Marubi archive will be transferred into a new building in the center of Shkoder which will cost over 1 million Euros to modernize. Construction is expected to be completed by December 2015.
The Marubi collection hosts pictures by Pietro Marubit, Kel Marubi, Gegë Marubi, Mati Kodheli Marubi, Kel Kodheli Marubi, Kol Idromeno, Shan Pici, Dedë Jakova, Pjetër Raboshta, Angjelin Nënshati
The Marubi archives are considered as one of the largest photo libraries in the Balkans, with a collection of more than 500,000 photographic negatives dating back to 1858.
Albanian photography started with Pietro Marubi, an Italian immigrant fleeing political repression from his country. He opened Albania’s first photography studio in 1858. Three generations of Marubis will follow in his footsteps. For about a century, the Marubi family have amassed more than 500,000 negatives. The selection of pictures reveals the political, social, cultural and religious diversity of the country.
