Author Dritan Çoku presented his latest book, “History and Architecture of the Lluci Velagoshti House”, today in Berat.

Çoku spent two years researching and documenting the story of a unique 18th-century house with a traditional çardak (veranda). Once a standout example of Albanian cultural heritage, the house was demolished in 1969 and no longer exists.

The Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage in Berat and the city library organized the event, which brought together local officials, researchers, and cultural heritage professionals. Participants praised the book for preserving a key piece of Berat’s architectural identity.

Alongside the book launch, Çoku opened a personal exhibition featuring 12 panels with 24 black-and-white sketches. The drawings capture architectural elements of lost buildings that once shaped Berat’s historic cityscape. All the illustrations also appear in the book.

Through both text and art, Çoku revives forgotten landmarks, honors Albania’s heritage, and invites readers to reflect on national identity, history, and collective memory.

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