The European Union, UNOPS, and the Ministry of Economy, Culture, and Innovation celebrated the successful restoration of the facade of the former Kinostudio and the modernization of the Central State Film Archive in Albania.
Glenn Micallef, the European Commissioner for Justice, Youth, Culture, and Sport, visited Albania to tour these significant cultural heritage sites supported by the EU4Culture program: the restored facade of the former Kinostudio and the upgraded Central State Film Archive, now equipped with advanced digitization technology.
The visit included an inauguration ceremony with national and international dignitaries, such as Lira Pipa, Deputy Minister of Economy, Culture, and Innovation; Hubert Perr, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation in Albania; and Sabine Kania, Director of the UNOPS Office for Albania and Kosovo, along with cultural institution representatives and local officials.
“This is my inaugural mission as European Commissioner to the Western Balkans, and I am particularly pleased to start in Tirana, Albania. Today, we celebrate the completion of two significant EU4Culture projects—the restoration of the Kinostudio facade and the delivery of equipment to the National Film Archive. This investment signifies the EU’s commitment to preserving Albania’s cultural heritage and demonstrates our solidarity. Promoting and preserving cultural heritage is a political priority for me and will be central to the Culture Compass for Europe,” Micallef stated.
Albanian Deputy Minister Lira Pipa remarked, “The restoration of the former Kinostudio and the Central Film Archive is not merely about buildings; it rejuvenates our collective memory and paves the way for the future. These historic spaces are being transformed into hubs for creativity, education, and international cooperation, proving that culture is essential for a society eager to remain connected to its roots.”
Sabine Kania from UNOPS noted, “The former Kinostudio and the Film Archive are vital institutions reflecting Albania’s cinematic heritage and cultural resilience. The EU4Culture initiatives, supported by the EU, prepare these sites for the future. At UNOPS, we take pride in linking memory with innovation and culture with sustainable development.”
These efforts are part of the EU4Culture program, funded by the European Union (EU) and executed by UNOPS in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy, Culture, and Innovation (MEKI), aimed at revitalizing and promoting Albania’s cultural assets and contributing to sustainable social and economic growth.
Under the EU4Culture program, the former Kinostudio underwent extensive conservation, including restoration of its historic facade, repairs from earthquake damage, and other infrastructure enhancements, with a budget of 376,000 euros from March 2024 to March 2025.
Constructed in the early 1950s, the Kinostudio building was the hub for the state film production company “Shqipëria e Re.” It has since been designated a Category II Cultural Monument due to its architectural and cultural significance.
Additionally, the Central State Film Archive received modern digitization and preservation equipment worth around 100,000 euros through the EU4Culture initiative. This upgrade enhances the capacity to safeguard fragile audiovisual materials and improve public access to archival content via digital platforms.
Established in 1947, the archive conserves over 4,330 audiovisual works, including films, documentaries, animations, and rare historical footage dating back to the 1920s.
The EU4Culture program represents one of the EU’s largest initiatives in cultural heritage, with a total budget of 40 million euros, focusing on renovating and revitalizing heritage sites affected by earthquakes. The program also aims to boost Albania’s tourism potential, aiding local and regional socio-economic recovery. (June 16)
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