The Municipality of Tirana has officially begun the process of installing a statue of National Hero, George Kastrioti Skanderbeg, in the square named after him in Paris’ 19th district.

This project, made possible through productive collaboration with Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, aims to strengthen the cultural ties between Albania and France while promoting the historical values of the Albanian nation internationally.

The statue will be a replica of the iconic work by renowned Albanian sculptor Odhise Paskali, which was first unveiled in January 1968 to mark the 500th anniversary of Skanderbeg’s death. The Municipality of Tirana, with the team at the Center for the Realization of Art Works, is working to ensure the piece’s authenticity and artistic integrity are fully preserved.

This initiative is part of a broader, long-term strategy to promote Albanian art and history worldwide. In recent years, the Municipality of Tirana has implemented similar projects, such as the installation of a Skanderbeg statue in Budapest, Hungary, where it faces the statue of Hungarian hero Janos Hunyadi.

Unveiling ceremony for the statue is expected to take place soon, with the participation of prominent figures from both Albania and France, as well as representatives of the Albanian Diaspora in Europe.

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