The National Education Museum, housed in the building where the first Albanian school opened in 1887 in the south-eastern city of Korça, has been transformed into a tourist attraction for both local and international visitors after undergoing a restoration project after sustaining damages due to an earthquake. The building’s restoration project included whole museum, which will for the first time also house a library.

Prime Minister Edi Rama visited “Mësonjëtore” (Albanian language school museum) to closely inspect completion of the restoration work together with the Minister of Culture Elva Margariti, who explained that the restoration design was based on the today’s trend to transform museums into open public spaces serving also as community centres.

“The restoration project is almost complete and all it remains is installation of the ABC letters according to the 1987 composition. The outdoor space has been completely rehabilitated to be transformed into am open air auditorium, set to serve as a public space for the community under the new concepts about museums as community centres. It is the first time that a library is housed inside the museum and which will become available to the public. The library features more than 750 donated book titles,” Margariti noted.

The building’s restoration project kicked off shortly after a powerful earthquake that hit the south-eastern region and the National Education Museum sustained serious damages. The project has restored original and historic elements of the museum, as well as application of the digital technology. “The museum has been completed with the historical and original elements and artefacts. Previously the museum showcased only some replicas. Digital elements have been also introduced. The museum is being completed with the QR Code, just like it has been the case with the Medieval Art Museum and all showcased items and artefacts can now be scanned and information about them is granted. These are all original items donated by Korça families,” Culture Minister said.

The initial phase of the restoration project has completed and the Minister of Culture called on local families in Korça and across Albania to donate various artefacts to the museum.