Publications
UNESCO and the dictator. Cultural heritage, totalitarianism and mobility in Albania
Albania's UNESCO World Heritage Sites—Butrint National Park, Berat, and Gjirokastra—reflect a complex interplay between cultural heritage and political regimes. Research reveals that contemporary patrimonialization in Albania, while challenging the legacies of Fascism and Communism, selectively reinterprets elements from these eras to craft a new tourist identity. The study employs document analysis from Tirana's National Historical Archive and ethnographic fieldwork, using mobility/immobility as a lens to examine heritage dynamics under totalitarianism and post-socialist transitions.
Cultural Spaces Research on Architecture and Identity
A multidisciplinary approach to architectural research, particularly for UNESCO World Heritage Sites, can effectively engage students and foster comprehensive understanding. The study highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in architecture education, as demonstrated by a course module at TU Wien focusing on the Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra in Albania. This module encouraged students to develop their own research projects, integrating various disciplines to analyze architectural identity. The research approach taught in this module emphasizes holistic analysis, combining theoretical knowledge with practical application, thereby enhancing students' interest and capability in conducting independent research.
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