On June 8th of this year, an important event in Albanian history will be commemorated: the establishment of the General Directorate of Archives (DPA), the institution responsible for preserving our collective national memory. The 75th anniversary of the DPA will be commemorated with a series of activities over the coming months, culminating in scientific events during the VIII Nationwide Archival Conference.

On this occasion, the general director of the DPA, Ardit Bido, invited researchers, experts of the archives of the Albanian territories and the whole region, as well as anyone interested in the scientific community, to participate in the VIII Nationwide Archival Conference and in the 2025 editions.

This year, the DPA has introduced an innovation to facilitate access for those interested in the application procedure. For both calls, abstracts of the papers can be sent directly to the email address botime.arkiva.gov.al, where applicants can submit their request for participation.

The VIII Nationwide Archival Conference will be held in Elbasan on June 9, 2024, in collaboration between the DPA, the State Archives Agency of Kosovo (ASHAK), and the Elbasan Municipality. The conference is open to archivists from the national archival network, as well as archivists of other profiles, historians, students, and employees of institutions involved in preserving or interacting with the preservation of collective memory.

The topics proposed for discussion at the conference are specifically related to archives, human rights, and the history of archives or archival institutions in the territories inhabited by Albanians. In line with this year’s jubilee events, the thematic focus of the conference will be on:

· The 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Albania and the end of the Second World War.

· The 115th anniversary of the Congress of Elbasan.

· The 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Central State Archive (AQSH).

The 8th National Archival Conference follows the previous editions held in Tirana, Pristina, Skopje, Saranda, Tuzi, Boletin, and Manastir.

Calls have been opened for financing publications from anyone interested, both inside and outside the country. Up to five books, including “Summary of Documents,” “Archival Monograph,” and “Archival Guide,” will be fully financed by the special fund of the DPA. The publications approved this year will be published in 2025, so it is recommended to apply for important anniversaries such as:

· 100th anniversary of the declaration of Albania as a “Republic”

· 100th anniversary of the announcement of Ahmet Zogu as “President of Albania”

· 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Bank of Albania

· 100th anniversary of the birth of Martin Camaj

· 100th anniversary of the death of Luigj Gurakuqi

· 100th anniversary of the creation of the “KYRIAS” Women’s Institute

The DPA announces that abstracts of papers for both calls will be accepted until April 5, 2024, in Albanian and English, on the website botime.arkiva.gov.al.