'Yildiz Palace Collection' exhibition in Shkodra/ Turkish Ambassador: They date back to 1931, an indicator of our common history

2025-12-10 14:38:00, Qyteti im CNA

'Yildiz Palace Collection' exhibition in Shkodra/ Turkish Ambassador:

"The Photographic Collection of the Yildiz Palace and Albania/Shkodra in this Collection" is the exhibition that opened at the "Luigj Gurakuqi" University in Shkodra.

'Yildiz Palace Collection' exhibition in Shkodra/ Turkish Ambassador:

Turkish Ambassador Tayyar Atay said that these photographs, dating from 1831, are an indication of the shared history of the two countries.

"I feel pleasure to be in Shkodra, an ancient and extraordinary city. The exhibition documents rare views of Shkodra, as an indicator of our common history. I would like to thank the rector Tonin Gjuraj for his hospitality, which is very precious to us. Turkey and Albania are independent states, NATO members and collaborators. I am almost completing my 4-year mandate in Albania. Being an ambassador in a country that has much in common with Turkey socially and culturally is a privilege for me. During my period as ambassador in 2023, a powerful earthquake was experienced in Turkey and I witnessed how the Albanian government and people stood by the Turkish people, with an extraordinary approach and sensitivity. We see our common past as important, which will serve our common future. The cooperation of our two countries strongly contributes to a successful common future. We talked about cooperation between our universities. You will notice a view of the Lead Mosque "The exhibition, which in May was restored and returned as a gift to the Albanian people, continues to be a cult object, but will also serve as an open tourist spot for Albanians," the ambassador said.

'Yildiz Palace Collection' exhibition in Shkodra/ Turkish Ambassador:

The Rector of the University of Shkodra, Tonin Gjuraj, stated that this exhibition showcases old Shkodra, which is part of the world collection of the Ottoman Empire.

"I thank the Ambassador of Turkey in Albania. We have the privilege of opening the doors and hosting the exhibition, where we will see images exhibited for Shkodra and Albania is one of the 50 countries in this collection. We talked with the Ambassador about the possibility of expanding with Turkish universities. There is an extraordinary advancement of Turkish universities. Let's illuminate the past in the most objective and realistic way possible through cultural archives. There are 922 albums with 37 thousand photographs and they reflect Shkodra at that time, the cobblestone streets and the city as it was. There are also other important images, of course under the Ottoman Empire. The collection is so important that in relation to visual heritage, it made it to be registered in the world's national registry by UNESCO in 2023. It has to do with the memory of the world, it has to do with our cultural heritage, which is important. The Ambassador, in 2026, will be a special guest at a lecture with students and professors and will "We are strengthening cooperation with Turkish universities because this country has made great progress in the last decade. I also thank the two speakers who came from two important universities in Turkey," said Gjuraj.

Around 200 photographs belonging to Shkodra out of a total of 37 thousand in the "Yildiz Photographic Palace Collection" represent the entire city at that time, along with various objects of great historical value.

'Yildiz Palace Collection' exhibition in Shkodra/ Turkish Ambassador:

The photographs were taken during the time of Sultan Abdyl Hamid and were then protected until the time of Ataturk. The photographs were studied by two Turkish professors Melek Ozyetgin and Ayse Ersay Yuksel, who were present in Shkodra and also gave a presentation at the university./CNA