An exhibition featuring 101 paintings and sculptures by 46 Albanian artists has opened in Gjirokastra’s Old Bazaar, one of the city’s oldest and most distinctive areas.

Culture specialist Stefan Arseni collected the works, while some pieces were donated.

Artists, colleagues and foreign tourists visiting the city attended the exhibition. For visitors, the exhibition offers another cultural attraction alongside Gjirokastra’s monuments and other landmarks.

“The works use different techniques and include both paintings and sculptures. I have tried to follow my passion by collecting works from different parts of the country. They are not only by artists from Gjirokastra. The collection also includes artists from across Albania and Kosovo,” collector Stefan Arseni told the media.

Painter Edi Kojani said the collection is particularly rich because it features different genres, including painting and sculpture, as well as various techniques. These include oil painting, watercolor, drawing, graphic art and pastel.

Stefan Arseni began collecting artworks before the 1990s. He spent his career working in cultural and artistic institutions and held several leadership positions. These included director of the Tepelena Cultural Palace, director of the Gjirokastra Library, director of the “Zihni Sako” Theatre and culture inspector at the Executive Committee.

Although Arseni officially retired from professional work nearly three decades ago, he remains active. He continues to contribute to Gjirokastra’s cultural and artistic life.

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