PRESS RELEASE
Exhibition: “Berat in the 8th-20th century: Economic and mercantile development; collections of local banknotes; and historically-important objects of Berati depicted in the national currency”

On 18 – 19 April 2024, the Museum of the Bank of Albania and the National  Centre of Museums, Berat, organised a joint photo exhibition: “Berat in the 8th-20th century: Economic and mercantile development; collections of local city banknotes; and historically-important objects of this city depicted in the national currency”, at “Onufri”, Iconographic Museum, Berat.

Mr Altin Tanku, Head of Research Department at the Bank of Albania, together with the Director of Berat Museum Centre, Mr Miklor Pasku, greeted the participants at the launching ceremony. Mr Tanku stated that this exhibition presents the important role of the city of Berat as a national economic centre. Berat's role in the economy and cultural heritage has been valued and has been selected as a symbol of our national currency in circulation, as well as in numismatics. The Purple Codex of Berat, which is the oldest historical document preserved in Albania, acquired a special attention. Since it is a precious item and a living testimony of Christianity in Albania, this Codex has unique values that connect the country’s present to the past and contribute substantially to the cultural continuity of Albanians throughout the centuries. The Codex Purpureus Beratinus 1 was inscribed in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register in 2005. This valuable object of our cultural heritage was lauded by the Bank of Albania in 2011, through the commemorative numismatic coin, 50 Lekë “Purple Codex of Berat, Φ 043 - Beratinus 1.”

The exhibition, which was meticulously curated by both institutions, presented the most distinguishable economic, mercantile and ethnographic developments of the city of Berat between the 18th and 20th century, as well as local banknotes of the beginning of the 20th century, and national currencies depicting the city's monuments and objects of universally historical and cultural value.

The visitors became acquainted with the main characteristics of the city of Berat, becoming one of the most important economic centres in Albania in the 18th and 20th centuries. Visitors, through “travelling” in this exhibition, explored the unique interaction between the economic history and the trade development of the city, as well as some other current economic issues, relevant in the present time. A special place in the exhibition was dedicated to the financial literacy elements of the Bank of Albania.

Ms Bora Muzhaqi, the Minster of State for Youth and Children also attended the launching ceremony of the exhibition. The Minister, while standing at the educational corner of this exhibition, highlighted the important role of the Central Bank and public institutions in financially educating the new generation, In addition, she encouraged students to learn about finances, making financial literacy part of their overall education. Ms Muzhaqi stated that the coordination of inter-institutional efforts in this area is necessary to enhance the financial literacy of Albanian citizens.