As part of the European Heritage Days, the “Pope Clement XI Albani” Foundation, in collaboration with the National Historical Museum and with the support of the Ministry of Culture, organized a ceremony to donate the bust of Pope Clement XI Albani. The event took place in the medieval pavilion. Additionally, several documents dedicated to Pope Clement XI Albani were presented to the National Historical Museum.

The ceremony took place with the participation of the diplomatic corps accredited in Tirana, representatives of religious communities, and numerous guests. Zef Bushati, President of the Pope Clement XI-Albani Foundation, described the journey of Pope Clement XI Albani’s bust—how the idea was conceived and how the bust came to fruition through the generous donation of the Barattini family.

“On December 18, 1700, Albani was crowned Pope in the Lateran of Rome. The pride of his Albanian origin resurfaced upon his election as Pope, as he chose to append his last name, Albani, to his father’s name. This decision aligned his name with the esteemed Albanian tribe of Kelmendi, showcasing his Albanian heritage to the world. By adopting both the names Clement and Albani, he imbued them with the essence of the Albanian identity. One name symbolized a renowned Albanian tribe, while the other represented the Albanian people themselves, reflecting the profound connection he felt with his heritage,” explained Entela Çipa, the director of the National Historical Museum.

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