PRESS RELEASE
BoA organises the First Conference of the Museum of the Bank of Albania “Money and Banking In Albania, from Antiquity to Modern Times”

On 14 - 15 June 2017, the Bank of Albania organised the First Conference of the Museum of the Bank of Albania on 'Money and Banking in Albania, from Antiquity to Modern Times'.

The first day brought together historians, academics, numismatists, archaeologists and scholars of monetary and economic history, to present and discuss the findings of their studies in the field of monetary production and calculation, economic history and the development of banking in Albania, from antiquity to modern times.

Meanwhile, the educational role of central bank museums in getting to know the history of money, and banking activities and enhancing financial literacy through exhibitions, education and innovation was the focus of the second day. To discuss these topics, as well as on matters related to the management of numismatic collections or the design of financial education programs for the public, representatives of the museums of the banks of the region were present to share their thoughts and experiences.

The First Conference of the Museum of the Bank of Albania was opened by the Governor of the Bank of Albania, Mr Gent Sejko. In his speech, the Governor thanked other institutions that administer cultural heritage items, academics, experts, archaeologists, the Ministry of Culture, the Centre of Albanological Studies and the Institute of Archaeology for the support and cooperation given to the Museum of the Bank of Albania.

Furthermore, Governor Sejko added that the Bank of Albania Museum, in addition to coinage exhibits, has financial education as essential objective. The public needs to be informed in order to be able to undertake wise and sound financial decisions that contribute to the financial stability of a country as well.

Also, the Governor highlighted that the first conference of the Museum of the Bank of Albania coincides with the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the modern central bank of the Republic of Albania and a two-tier banking system. He underlined that in these 25 years, the Bank of Albania has served to the country's economic and financial development, supporting successfully the development of an efficient and stable financial system.

Governor Sejko concluded that the Bank of Albania will work toward providing for interested persons, whether in Albania or abroad, to be able to find in the premises of the Bank a small piece of the history of banking, money and the people dedicated to it.

The keynote speaker to this Conference was Prof. Olivier Picard, former Director of the French Archaeological School in Athens, Professor at the Sorbonne University, Member of the 'Académie des Inscriptions et Belles - Lettre' (Institute of France), who held a lecture on 'The beginnings of coinage in Illyria and the trading exchanges between Illyrians and Greeks'.

This conference aimed to present the latest innovations and findings in the field of economic history in Albania. The presentations analysed the history of money from its beginnings in antiquity, followed by the monetary systems that existed in the territory of Albania in these two thousand years to the present.

The presentations by distinguished personalities in the Conference will contribute to enrich the information transmitted by the Museum of the Bank of Albania to its visitors, and will be part of a publication that will summarize the proceedings of this event.

Programme of the First Conference of the Museum of the Bank of Albania