After 100 years, the Swiss Embassy restores the collection of photos taken by Albania's great friend, Eugène Pittard

2026-04-23 18:03:00, Kulturë CNA

After 100 years, the Swiss Embassy restores the collection of photos taken by

The Swiss Embassy returns to the Shkodran public for the first time after 100 years a collection of photos taken by the Swiss academic and great friend of Albania Eugène Pittard in 1921 and 1924 during his travels around the country.

The exhibition 'Albania 1921 – Eugène Pittard' opened to the public in Shkodra – the city from where the Swiss academic began his acquaintance with Albania on his first trip in 1910.

After 100 years, the Swiss Embassy restores the collection of photos taken by

"I am proud to present this exhibition and proud that a fellow Swiss citizen contributed so profoundly to the understanding, visibility and dignity of Albania at a time when international attention really mattered," said Swiss Ambassador Ruth Huber at the opening.

"Eugène Pittard's work reflects the values ??we continue to share today: openness, human connection, and cultural dialogue. As Switzerland continues to be a close partner of Albania, Pittard's legacy still serves as an inspiration for our support and solidarity," added Ambassador Huber.

The exhibition offers printed materials with rare and previously unpublished photos, as well as digital content through animations, slides and Virtual Reality (VR).

This makes the exhibition attractive to different age groups, enabling the introduction of a part of Albania's historical heritage for all generations. It will remain open in the square in front of Shkodra Municipality until May 7.

After 100 years, the Swiss Embassy restores the collection of photos taken by

"I hope that Pittard's photographic work will inspire photographers and artists today to document our country through photography, just as he did more than 100 years ago," said exhibition curator Elton Koritari.

Eugène Pittard was a major contributor to Albania. He became an advisor to US President Woodrow Wilson and lobbied vigorously for Albania's sovereignty and independence until its 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. Pittard is also the founder of the Albanian Red Cross.

His photos show an extraordinary view of the country and its people in the years 1921 and 1924.

Unlike other photographers of the period, Pittard focused on the lives of the country’s ordinary inhabitants. The collection of photographs that have now traveled to and returned from Geneva to Albania provides a visual document of the newly formed Albanian state and serves to reinforce a sense of identity and collective memory.

The exhibition will continue in Durrës and Korça until June 2026 as part of the campaign to recognize the figure and contribution of Eugène Pittard to Albania./ CNA