The archive of negatives, objects, and documents created by Pietro and Kel Marubi has officially been inscribed in UNESCO’s Memory of the World International Register, recognizing it as one of the most valuable legacies of humanity.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Economy, Culture, and Innovation, Blendi Gonxhja, who hailed it as a historic moment for Albanian culture.

“Extraordinary news! UNESCO has officially declared the archive of negatives, objects, and documents of Pietro and Kel Marubi as part of the Memory of the World International Register,” Gonxhja wrote on social media.

“One of the most precious treasures of our national memory is now global heritage,” he continued. “From the heart of Shkodër, this rare photographic legacy, documenting the image, life, history, and spirit of the Albanian people, has received the highest international recognition”.

Gonxhja emphasized that the inscription is not only a tribute to the Marubi dynasty, pioneers of Albanian photography, but also a significant acknowledgment of Shkodër’s enduring role in shaping the country’s cultural identity.

“This is not just a recognition of the Marubis’ contribution, but an extraordinary tribute to Shkodër, the city that gave life to art, culture, and the collective memory of a nation,” he noted. “For the first time, Shkodër now has its place in the Memory of the World”.

According to Gonxhja, the inclusion of the Marubi Archive in UNESCO’s register gives voice, light, and permanence to a unique cultural heritage.

/a.p./