By Judith Broeker | AiP Program Director
Community members in Gjirokastra are seeing positive results from their 15-year effort to improve the economy by welcoming tourists to their amazing World Heritage city. You’ve been part of this progress, supporting projects that have saved valuable and beautiful architectural heritage. The annual arts and culture festival is currently underway and the cobblestone streets are crowded with visitors.
Even as economic conditions are beginning to improve, the very houses that draw tourists are crumbling. In the last two years, two more tower houses suffered catastrophic collapse, and Gjirokastra’s residents fear that the Kabili house will soon suffer the same fate. Even houses, such as the Kikino and Skenduli houses, which are standing strong, are losing their decorative elements to time and weather.
With this knowledge, AiP jammers (our dedicated volunteers) are heading for Albania. They’ll be traveling from Australia, the UK, Kosovo and the US to join our local partners at the Regional Directorate of National Culture in Gjirokastra, who are anxiously awaiting our arrival.
We will all work together to complete a great deal of work in two weeks. Our team will continue decorative paint documentation at the Kikino house. Saving and restoring this art form will add to the value of each heritage tourist’s visit.
We will also be photographing and inspecting the Kabili house in preparation for stabilization. This project will begin in July, if funding efforts are successful. The Kabili house was one of the city’s largest and most important tower houses, initially damaged by bombing in WWII and slowly deteriorating over time. The collapse of one corner forced one family to evacuate, leaving their belongings behind. The other tower is still occupied, as that family has no other options for lodging.
Your support will be a great help in the Kabili stabilization efforts. Once safe, the restored house will offer affordable housing units and space for a local business, as well as several rooms for a B&B to generate income to cover ongoing maintenance.
Thank you for working together with AiP and Gjirokastra’s community members to continue their progress toward an improved future.
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