Commissioner Micallef official visit to Tirana, inspecting heritage sites supported by EU4Culture

The European Union, UNOPS, and the Ministry of Economy, Culture, and Innovation marked achievements in the restoration of the facade of the former Kinostudio and the modernization of the Central State Film Archive in Albania.

Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Justice, Youth, Culture, and Sport, conducted an official visit to Albania, where he visited these two key sites of cultural heritage supported by the EU4Culture program: the restored facade of the former Kinostudio and the Central State Film Archive, which has been equipped with advanced technology for the digitization of materials.

The visit was accompanied by an inauguration ceremony attended by national and international representatives, including Lira Pipa, Deputy Minister of Economy, Culture, and Innovation; Hubert Perr, Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation in Albania; and Sabine Kania, Director of the UNOPS Office for Albania and Kosovo, along with representatives from cultural institutions and local authorities.

“This is my first mission as European Commissioner in the Western Balkans, and I am particularly pleased that Tirana, Albania, is my first stop. I am proud that today we celebrate the successful completion of two major interventions of EU4Culture, the restoration of the facade of the former Kinostudio and the delivery of equipment to the National Film Archive. This investment reflects the EU’s strong commitment to preserving Albania’s cultural heritage and emphasizes our solidarity. Promoting, protecting, and preserving cultural heritage is a political priority for me and will be a cornerstone of the Culture Compass for Europe,” said Micallef.

“The restoration of the former Kinostudio and the Central Film Archive is not just an investment in buildings, but an act of rejuvenation of our collective memory and a bold step towards the future. These historic spaces are being transformed into centers of creation, education, and international cooperation, demonstrating that culture is not a luxury, but a vital infrastructure for a society that aspires to be open, developed, and connected to its roots,” expressed the Albanian Deputy Minister of Economy, Culture, and Innovation, Lira Pipa.

“The former Kinostudio and the Film Archive are two important institutions that represent Albania’s rich cinematic past and its cultural resilience. The interventions carried out through the EU4Culture program, with the generous support of the EU, contribute to preparing these sites for the future. We at UNOPS feel privileged to help connect memory with innovation and culture with sustainable development,” emphasized Sabine Kania, Director of UNOPS for Albania and Kosovo.

These interventions are part of EU4Culture, a program funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), in partnership with the Ministry of Economy, Culture, and Innovation (MEKI).

The program aims to revitalize and promote Albania’s rich cultural heritage, contributing to the sustainable social and economic development of the country.

As part of the EU4Culture program, the building of the former Kinostudio, an emblematic reference point for Albanian culture, underwent conservation works, including the restoration of the historic facade, repairs for earthquake damage, and infrastructural improvements. The works, valued at 376,000 euros, were carried out from March 2024 to March 2025.

Built in the early 1950s, the Kinostudio building served as the center of the state film production company “Shqipëria e Re.” Today, it has been declared a Category II Cultural Monument for its architectural and cultural values.

Nearby, the Central State Film Archive benefited from modern equipment for digitization and preservation of materials, with an investment of around 100,000 euros through the EU4Culture program. This equipment significantly increases the capacity to protect delicate audiovisual materials and improve public access to archival content through digital platforms.

The archive, established in 1947, preserves over 4,330 audiovisual works, including films, documentaries, animations, and rare historical footage dating back to the 1920s.

The EU4Culture program is funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by UNOPS in close cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, Culture, and Innovation of Albania. It focuses on the renovation and revitalization of cultural heritage monuments damaged by earthquakes and represents one of the largest cultural heritage programs funded by the EU with a total budget of 40 million euros. The program also aims to enhance Albania’s tourism potential, directly contributing to local and regional socio-economic recovery. (June 16)