PRESS RELEASE
Museum of the Bank of Albania launches Museum Nights, a cycle of lectures. First lecture delivered by Mr Artan Lame on "Minting in Albanian territories during the Ottoman Period"

On 30 October 2017, on the occasion of the second anniversary of the opening of the Museum of the Bank of Albania (2015), which coincides also with the 79th anniversary of the inauguration of the then National Bank of Albania (1938), and the second anniversary of the inauguration of its renovated building, the Bank of Albania launched Museum Nights, a cycle of lectures.

The Museum Nights aim to coordinate and integrate information on the currency exhibited at the Museum of the Bank of Albania with information available in archives, libraries, private collections, as well as with information shown through architecture, visual arts, and photographs in other museums.

In her welcome address, Ms Elisabeta Gjoni, First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Albania, pointed out that the Museum renders the Bank of Albania an institution that is closer and more open to the public. Although it is a new museum, it has already received many visitors, mainly pupils and students, as well as professionals and other persons from different walks of life and age groups. Ms Gjoni said that in order to encourage and support closer relations with other disciplines, during 2017 and 2018, the Museum of the Bank of Albania is committed, through Museum Nights lectures to introduce various perspectives from outstanding personalities in the fields of numismatics, banking and economics history, financial education as well as other disciplines such as philately, art and architecture, providing the opportunity for visitors to listen to interesting lectures, visit the Museum after the Bank's working hours, and benefit from the knowledge and expertise of the invited lecturers. 'Our aim is for the Museum of the Bank of Albania to be not only a place where one comes to enjoy an exhibition, but also a place for exchanging opinions and ideas' - the First Deputy Governor said.

The first lecture was delivered by Mr Artan Lame, one of the most renowned collectors, who has extensive knowledge and understanding of Albanian and Ottoman numismatics and medals, and of the Albanian history. His is also a civil society activist for the preservation of the cultural heritage of Albania. 

Mr Artan Lame delivered a lecture on currency circulation in the Albania modern and historic territories during the Ottoman period. The lecture addressed the Ottoman currency, from its introduction in the XIV cent. until the Tanzimat Reforms in XIX cent., its characteristics and types of the currencies that were in circulation in Albanian territories. It also focused on the circulation of European currencies circulating in Albanian territories before and during the use of the Ottoman currency. After the lecture, a question and answers session was followed by a visit to the Museum.

The first lecture of the Museum Nights was received with great interest by the public. Responding to an open invitation through the social networks, some 160 persons attended it, mainly university students.

The Museum Nights cycle will continue during the rest of 2017 and in the next year. The lecturers will be prominent experts in the relevant fields.