Delite
Tirana, 24 February 2025 – The International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) and the Institute for Democracy, Media, and Culture (IDMC) co-hosted the International Conference on the Museumization of Memory in Tirana. Part of the 10th edition of Memory Days and supported by the European Union, the event gathered experts, policymakers, and civil society representatives to discuss memorialization, dark tourism, and historical memory preservation.
The conference featured contributions from directors of major museums in Albania, Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as cultural heritage experts from Kosovo and researchers from Albania and the region.
“Post-communist societies face the challenge of historical revisionism, where past atrocities are denied or distorted for political purposes. Without active efforts to preserve memory, public understanding can be compromised,” said Samira Krehic, the Head of ICMP’s Western Balkans Program. “Dark tourism, through museums and memorial sites, plays a key role in countering these tendencies by presenting factual evidence, survivor testimonies, and immersive exhibitions that challenge revisionist narratives,” she added.
Luigj Ndou, ICMP’s Head of Government Relations for Pristina and Tirana, emphasized the importance of memory preservation in transitional justice efforts, stating: „Museums and memory sites play a vital role in preserving the truth about past injustices. By engaging communities in open and inclusive discussions, we can ensure that memory serves as a foundation for justice, social cohesion, and a shared commitment to never repeating the mistakes of the past. By working together with the Albanian authorities, civil society, and international partners, ICMP is helping to ensure that Albania takes meaningful steps toward recognizing and addressing its past, while reinforcing the rule of law and human rights.“
Frederique Hanotier, Political Officer for Human Rights, Democracy and Media at the Delegation of the European Union in Albania, said, “Facing history in a transparent manner is fundamental to ensuring justice and strengthening the rule of law. The EU has consistently supported this process, recognizing its importance for Albania’s democratic consolidation. Museums play a vital role in history alive in collective memory, raising awareness of past atrocities, and preserving historical truth. This initiative presents a unique opportunity for Albania to learn from the EU’s experiences on this path. The EU remains fully committed to supporting Albania in these efforts, as transitional justice contributes not only to strengthening the rule of law but also to deepening the ties between Albania and the EU. Committing to remembrance means committing to memory, justice, and accountability—core European values that guide our shared future.”
Jonila Godole, Executive Director of IDMC, stated, “There is a concerning tendency to focus museumization efforts on sites and objects associated with the persecutors while neglecting the places where victims endured immense suffering. This approach must change. Sites of repression, such as the Tepelene internment camp and the Spaç forced labor camp, are rapidly deteriorating, with parts being lost every day. Urgent action is needed to preserve these locations and transform them into museums and educational centers. Only by doing so can we ensure that future generations understand the realities of the past and that society remains committed to truth, justice, and remembrance.”
Memory Days, organized by IDMC, is an annual initiative fostering dialogue on Albania’s communist past. This conference was a key event in this year’s program, highlighting the role of museums and memory sites in promoting historical awareness.
About ICMP
ICMP is a treaty-based intergovernmental organization headquartered in The Hague, the Netherlands. Its mandate is to secure the cooperation of governments and others in locating missing persons from conflict, human rights abuses, disasters, organized crime, irregular migration, and other causes, and to assist them in doing so.
