News 16 December 2022

Making Hidden Treasures of the Albanian Religious Culture Available

The rich heritage of Orthodox Christianity in Albania and how to preserve it was the subject of discussion at a meeting of representatives of Albanian University, the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania and the University College "LOGOS".

The event was opened by Prof. Dr. Kaliopi Naska, who emphasized the importance of the commitment of “Albanian University” to RESILIENCE. This research infrastructure that is now being built is bringing together the Albanian religious communities to draw everyone’s attention, both inside and outside the country, to the contribution of Orthodox Christianity to culture, cultural heritage, history, and values created and preserved by these communities in over the centuries.

Prof. Assoc. Dr. Genta Rexha presented to the attendees the research infrastructure RESILIENCE, which aims to highlightthe hidden treasures of the Albanian religious culture and to make them available to all researchers, scholars, and stakeholders. RESILIENCE has had a positive impact on awakening everyone’s interest in these treasures.

Bishop Asti Bakallbashi gave an overview on “Christianity in the first millennium in Albania”. Then researcher Dr. Thoma Shkira presented “(Orthodox) Christianity in the second millennium in Albania”, showing numerous images from various works of cult and art.

The presentations were of interest for the attendees, reinforcing the interest to become part of the future activities within the research infrastructure RESILIENCE.

Present at the activity were also the rector of “Albanian University”, Prof. Dr. Pavllo Kongo, representatives of the State Community of Cults, lecturers, and students of “Albanian University”.

 

At the end of the activity, Bishop Asti Bakallbashi donated to the University several publications on the history of the Orthodox Christianity in Albania.