Media Amphora
National Institute of Cultural Heritage Registration (IKRTK), about 30 years after its creation, still has not completed the process of recording the cultural assets of Albania. This institution remains almost non-functional due to the lack of by-laws, which have prevented it from realizing its basic mission.
History and Transformation of the Institute
- IKRTK was originally established in 1995 as the National Center for the Inventory of Cultural Assets, with the support of the World Bank, to document the country's cultural assets.
- In 2018, with the adoption of the new law on cultural heritage, the institute was restructured, becoming responsible for the registration of state and private cultural assets.
Perpetual problems
- IKRTK does not have accurate statistics on the total number of existing cultural assets in Albania.
- According to a report of the Supreme State Control (SSC) in 2022, the inventory process of immovable material cultural assets has not yet started, creating an important gap in their protection and promotion.
Absence of Bylaws
- The Institute remains awaiting by-laws to enable the full registration of cultural assets; creating an accessible system for the public and relevant institutions; and issuing licenses for the export of cultural assets.
Unregistered Cultural Properties
- There are numerous assets in Albania, including art objects, historical manuscripts, and cultural landscapes, which have not yet been registered as national assets.
- Painter Artan Shabani emphasized that many buildings and state institutions have lost art objects over the years, due to the lack of documentation and legal protection.
Risks to National Heritage
- Lack of registration increases the risk of damage or trafficking of cultural property, including objects stolen from archaeological parks or places of worship.
- In case of natural disasters, such as the 2019 earthquake, the lack of a complete registry makes it impossible to restore and recover damaged assets.
Recommendations of the High State Control
- KLSH has requested that the updating of the national register begin by June 2023, but this process has not yet been carried out.
IKRTK continues to face numerous challenges, including the lack of by-laws and delays in the registration process. Without immediate intervention, Albania's cultural heritage remains unprotected and in danger of being lost.
Read the full article on the research: https://ina.media/2024/11/29/instituti-i-regjistrimit-te-trashegimise-i-paralizuar-nga-mungesa-e-akteve-nenligjore/
