Promoting Cultural Heritage and Tourism

With UNESCO and UNDP support, financed by the MDG Achievement Fund, the National Culture Strategy and Albania’s fiscal and financial policies in support of cultural heritage are being revised.

Furthermore, a broad consensus on the future of the National History Museum has paved the way for physical rehabilitation to proceed. The management and governance structure of the Museum hasbeen upgraded by introduction of new positions and enabling of staff to acquire new knowledge and skills to better cope with contemporary developments and challenges for museums. Visitor information facilities in Berat and Gjirokastra have been significantly improved and guide maps made available. A cultural monument that was restored in Gjirokastra with UN assistance now hosts the city’s artisan incubator. The fi rst MA-level programme on Culture Resource Management has been established with Tirana University to develop a pool of qualified managers to safeguard the cultural heritage of the country. A draft cultural marketing strategy based on the results of consultations has been prepared, forming the basis for further efforts to develop Albania’s image abroad. A cultural diplomacy strategy has been drafted and a special unit within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is foreseen to implement the strategy.

UNESCO has offered recommendations for the governance and financial strategy of archaeological parks, and a financial strategy and map for one archaeological park have been published. The Albanian Music Council, with UNESCO support, has completed an electronic database of Albanian folk iso-polyphony and Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports (MoTCYS) produced a CD comprising the best songs selected from the recent National Folk Festival. Civil servants have been trained in further implementation of the UNESCO convention on tangible and intangible heritage and technical training on restoration of cultural monuments has been provided.

Source : 2010 Annual Progress Report