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Photos from 1921/ Exhibition of the unique album of the great Swiss friend of Albania, Eugène Pittard

2025-10-22 16:02:00, Kulturë CNA

Photos from 1921/ Exhibition of the unique album of the great Swiss friend of

A collection of photographs dating back to 1921 are being exhibited in the capital, from October 21 to November 9.

The Embassy of Switzerland has opened an exhibition at the Center for Openness and Dialogue consisting of an album of unique photographs taken by Swiss academic Eugene Pittard during his travels through Albania about 100 years ago.

The exhibition features previously unpublished photos.

"We are rediscovering the untold story of the work and contribution of this renowned Swiss academic. The images he captured are not simply records of time and place; they are expressions of admiration and respect. Through these photographs we can see Albania as Pittard saw it: a country of stunning beauty, cultural depth and humanity," said Swiss Ambassador Ruth Huber.

Eugene Pittard was a major contributor to Albania. His photographs show an extraordinary view of the country and its people in the years 1921 and 1924. In the leap year of 1921, Eugene and Helene Pittard visited Albania for the second time, traveling through the country with their camera and capturing on celluloid daily life, growing cities and untouched landscapes.

"As a tireless chronicler who traveled across Albania, he was at the same time a historical witness, leaving us images that are not found in Albanian archives and that today constitute a reference. He was interested in the Albanian face, the human being, to decipher something social: his belonging and the relationship with the land and, moreover, with the drama that a people experienced," said publisher and researcher Luan Rama.

"Pittard, with his humanist eye, looked at Albanians not as cold objects of study, but as living witnesses to a history that deserved to be preserved, respected and told," says the exhibition's curator, Elton Koritari.

Eugene Pittard became Albania's international spokesman at a delicate time. He lobbied vigorously for the country's rights and sovereignty and played a vital role in Albania's admission to the League of Nations in 1920. His most famous pamphlet 'Pour L'Albanie' published in the Geneva daily 'La Suisse' presents the real situation of the country at that time, offers arguments and calls for the recognition of Albania's sovereignty. Pittard is also the founder of the Albanian Red Cross. /CNA