The urban revival in Gjirokaster is restoring precious historical and cultural heritage values through important cultural projects that are being implemented in the city.

A project for the restoration and consolidation of the Gjirokastra Bazaar has been launched. A total of approximately 222 million ALL has been invested in this project, which will be carried out in two stages.

The project includes the urban study of the Gjirokastra Bazaar, with an aim at transforming the Bazaar in an area for pedestrians only; the restoration, rehabilitation and revitalization of the streets and sidewalks of the Bazaar of Gjirokastra and of the underground infrastructure; the restoration, consolidation and revitalization of the complex of shops and of auxiliary facilities of the Bazaar of Gjirokastra with 10 blocks, as well as the reconstruction of the square “Çerçiz Topulli”.

Prime Minister Edi Rama, along with Mayor Zamira Rami, Minister of Culture Mirela Kumbaro, Minister of State for Local Issues Bledi Çuçi and local MPs, were in Gjirokastra to see the progress of the project.

Minister Kumbaro explained that 12 blocks of restored objects will be added to Gjirokastra within a few months, and they will give the city additional architectural harmony. “These are the first blocks of the Bazaar. We have envisaged to have in this project 10 blocks to be restored. And we will add another two blocks to these 10 that include the Bazar and the exit roads.”

The project “Restoration and revitalization of the houses of Gjirokastra’s Writers” envisages intervention in the internal and external structure of 20 residences of the material heritage, in order to identify and conserve their historic and artistic values, based on the model of the Ismail Kadare’s house. The project envisages the restoration of all architectural elements, reinforcement of the structure by replacing its defective components, unification of facades in terms of the colour and its architectural details.

The project for the revival of these facilities aims to attract the interest of entrepreneurs who, through housing management, can build models of their use as hotels, restaurants or service offices.

With regard to this project, Minister Kumbaro explained: “We have another project to restore 20 houses that you have already announced, which we have called the Network of the Writers’ Houses, according to the model of Ismail Kadare’s house. The whole idea is to provide revitalization models of the old houses for hotels, restaurants and service offices.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Rama asked to encourage entrepreneurs and investors to be part of the realization of this interesting idea, which will make Gjirokastra even more attractive in tourist terms. “What we need to do more and more insistently is to invite entrepreneurs to become part of this program. The network of the writers’ houses with every house being named after a writer beloved by Kadare will make Gjirokaster very attractive.”

The Prime Minister announced that in cooperation with the municipality, a scholarship program for young writers will be launched, with various prices being awarded to them.

Former Mayor of Gjirokastra, today Prefect of this city, Flamur Bime said: “We didn’t get any money in 8 years. It was no joke. Now Gjirokastra has the full attention of the Prime Minister.”

“Gjirokastra in white” is another cultural project supported by the Albanian Development Fund for the restoration and rehabilitation of the facades of 132 collective houses in the protected area. The project will continue with the unification of facilities along the boulevard “18 Shtatori” in Gjirokastra. The facilities reviewed so far are 3 to 5-storied buildings, are located partly in the protected area and in the area of the Boulevard “18 Shtatori”.

* * *

Përmet, the characteristic city of the wise and hospitable people, completely forgotten for decades because nobody intervened in its urban infrastructure, is already part of a project for the redevelopment of its urban centre, facades, lighting system and the city park. Worth approximately 103 million ALL, the project provides for the creation of recreational areas, improved lighting and the reconstruction of pedestrian areas, roads, the house of culture and facades.

Along with Mayor Niko Shupuli, Minister of Culture Kumbaro and Minister of State for Local Issues Bledi Çuçi, Prime Minister Edi Rama visited Përmet and was informed on the development of the project.

Mayor of Përmet Niko Shupuli said that the tourists’ interest for Përmet has increased this year. They have been numerous and have exceeded the accommodation capacity: “Once the facades were done, people and businesses started to adjust everything. Tourism has increased, and nothing was available from May to October because everything was booked in advance.”

He also explained that another envisaged project will add artistic values through decorative elements: “Another project which was recently adopted, includes the roof and the rest of this promenade area. The project will abide with the original combination of black and white stones. We have a small garden and a fountain that can be barely seen. There’s also a playground. All these stairs will be restored, and there will be a sort of Belvedere from where you can see the river. Citizens are very grateful to you.”

Prime Minister Rama said that the tourism potential of the city will increase tremendously after these changes. “The tourism potential of Përmet is extraordinary. The creation of a beautifully contoured gravity centre with the city is like a magnet that increases the influx.”

Changes are very visible to citizens who are satisfied with them. “Very nice. Nothing compared to what it was. Well done! Let’s eliminate this DP-SP partisan spirit, and let’s work for the good of Albania and of this city. We are very satisfied. This is very beautiful”, one of the citizens said when he met the Prime Minister who replied: “We make investments for the urban revival of Përmet. It’s not our business with which party he stands.”

The revival of the residential block between the streets “Tefta Tashko Koco “, “Elena Gjika” and “Vasil Papadhopuli” in Përmet is another project of urban revival, which will be completed in a few days. A 60 million ALL investment in a 15 thousand square meter area is considered as a continuation of the project for the city centre, which will connect the centre with the old quarter of the city. An important segment of the city centre ring road will be realized through a corridor paved with cobblestones. The project takes into account the treatment and reformulation of the existing public spaces with urban elements. The aim is to integrate the old area of the city centre as the next tourist destination.

***

Projects for the urban revival have been undertaken also in the new Municipality of Këlcyrë. Prime Minister Edi Rama, accompanied by Mayor Klement Ndoni, ministers Kumbaro and Çuçi, and local MPs, visited Këlcyrë to look closely at the projects for the regeneration of the stream that crosses the Gur neighbourhood, and for the disposition of the stream bed. A total 67 million ALL has been invested for this project that will transform the area long the stream into a beautiful promenade area for the whole city of Këlcyrë. The project includes bike lanes, the promenade path, two small squares with fountains and a playground for children.

* * *

Tepelena is today a completely changed city whose urban values are increasing every day, along with an increased number of tourists and visitors. The entrance road to the city, extremely important for the presentation of Tepelena as a city full of values, is being reconstructed along with the entrance road to the castle.

Another investment of 46 million ALL has been made for the General Secondary School “Abaz Shehu” in Tepelena, an investment for the young people to provide them the most modern facilities. The school has two sports fields, for volleyball and basketball, the gym, laboratories of European standards, as well as recreational facilities. “This investment amounts to 46 million ALL. The school has a new gym, laboratories, the emergency stairway, as never before. Here are the benches, the garden. Works are still going on. We will solve once and for all a many-year long problem. Europe is there, and we’ll reach it soon”, Mayor of Tepelena Tërmet Peçi told the Prime Minister who visited the city to look closely at the urban revival projects.

The Mayor also said that the number of tourists and visitors has recently increased. “We’ve had an increased number of local and foreign tourists. Above all, life has become more vibrant. The majority of the tourists are British.”