Albania’s National Library has signed a cooperation agreement with the National Central Library of Florence, with support from the Italian Cultural Institute in Tirana. The agreement aims to strengthen ties between the two institutions and promote the preservation of library and documentary heritage.
At the signing ceremony, Italian Cultural Institute Director Alessandro Ruggera recalled that cooperation began in 2024 with an exhibition dedicated to Venice. The exhibition featured antique books published in the Italian city and preserved at Albania’s “Sotir Kolea” Centre. The new agreement expands cooperation in professional training, scientific research and heritage promotion.
The partnership will encourage knowledge and experience sharing, alongside the development of innovative methods and technologies. These efforts aim to create new opportunities to preserve and showcase the National Library of Albania’s rich collections. Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation funds the project. Its first phase includes a training programme lasting several weeks for three specialists from Albania’s National Library.
Ruggera said the institutions hoped to continue their cooperation through new funding and training opportunities, joint exhibitions and restoration projects. Antique books will receive particular attention because they represent valuable documentary assets and preserve an important part of the region’s intellectual heritage. Exchanges with Italian institutions should help strengthen professional expertise in protecting and conserving these collections.
Meanwhile, Albania’s National Library expects to gain additional space once its new building is complete. Together with expanded cooperation with Italian partners, the new facility should create further opportunities to preserve, study and promote the country’s library and documentary heritage for future generations.
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