“Shtëpia me Gjethe,” a unique museum in Tirana, attracts visitors eager to explore Albania’s pre-1990 history. The museum highlights the experiences of those who lived under dictatorship and behind the Iron Curtain.

This year, the museum will feature on the European Heritage Days platform, a joint program of the Council of Europe and the European Union. Its story, “The Talking Walls”, uses walls, curtains, texts, graphics, audio, and objects to tell the stories of those persecuted under the communist regime.

Director Etleva Demollari explains that the museum focuses on educating younger generations. By inviting former political prisoners, it restores dignity to victims and promotes debate on past injustices. The program emphasizes democracy, moral justice, and historical memory.

The 2025 European Heritage Days theme is “Architecture – Windows to the Past, Doors to the Future.” “Shtëpia me Gjethe” will host related activities during the “Light and Shadow” conference on September 26, highlighting its role as a space for reflection and dialogue on Albania’s challenging past.

/a.c/