Elva Margariti, the Albanian Minister of Culture: The restoration of the concert hall seemed a very distant dream, as did the reconstruction of the facilities in this historic building. This second agreement we are signing with TAP will make possible the restoration of this iconic hall, where great artists have performed and passed the baton of arts from one generation to the next.
The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) AG will provide €1.7 million for the restoration, reconstruction and refurbishment of the concert hall of the University of Arts in Tirana (UAT). TAP and the Albanian Ministry of Culture today signed a co-funding agreement at the Art Academy, endorsing the project.
The renovation of the UAT concert hall is one of TAP’s largest social and environmental investments in Albania, adding to a long list of investments in education, infrastructure, culture and environment. Furthermore, TAP has also financed the feasibility study and the preparation of the detailed engineering design for the refurbishment of the concert hall, amounting to an additional €150,000.
The project brings together several partners: the Ministry of Culture of Albania and TAP, acting as project co-fonders, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (Cooperazione Italiana), Atelier4 shpk and the University of Florence, Italy.
Restoration works are expected to last 14 months, starting in March 2021 and due to be completed in 2022.
Elva Margariti, the Albanian Minister of Culture, thanked TAP for being a reliable partner. “The restoration of the concert hall seemed a very distant dream, as did the reconstruction of the facilities in this historic building. This second agreement we are signing with TAP will make possible the restoration of this iconic hall, where great artists have performed and passed the baton of arts from one generation to the next.”
This hall is dear to all of us not only as a concert hall, but as part of our cultural heritage. Work will ensure the protection of each element of heritage while integrating state-of-the-art technology; this will transform the hall into one of the best in Albania”, Minister Margariti noted.
Malfor Nuri, TAP Country Manager in Albania, said: “TAP has always been committed to supporting culture and protecting cultural heritage in Albania. In addition to refurbishing the “Gjon Mili Museum”, this is another key investment for the country’s cultural scene, as the UAT concert hall is a reference point for performing arts.”
“These impressive facilities have hosted numerous national and international cultural events throughout the years, ranging from theatre plays to concerts and we hope that such occasions will resume in the foreseeable future, once restrictions are lifted. The refurbished UAT concert hall will benefit not only the residents of Tirana, but the entire Albanian cultural community,” Nuri added.
The UAT building enjoys the status of cultural monument category II and is therefore protected by law. It has been designed by the Italian architect Gherardo Bosio, built in 1942, and is considered a reference point for Albania’s architecture in the mid-20th century.
Given the building’s special status, its refurbishment requires care and specific technical expertise. With significant experience in the restoration of historical buildings and objects of art, the University of Florence already carried out a study on the conservation approach and will continue to monitor and support the delivery of this project.
Source: https://www.tap-ag.com/news/news-stories/tap-to-co-fund-the-restoration…