TIRANA, Oct. 11 /ATA/ - Albania and Italy are exploring closer cooperation on preserving and digitising their shared film heritage following a visit by the two countries’ culture ministers to Albania’s Central State Film Archive.

Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja and Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli viewed rare film footage documenting the history of relations between the two countries.

The materials included early footage shot by Italians in Albania, much of it filmed by Albanians, as well as unique artefacts and other items from the two countries’ film heritage.

Gonxhja said the archival materials represented an important record of shared historical and cultural memory, documenting different aspects of Albanian-Italian relations over the years.

Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in preserving and digitising archival materials, organising joint exhibitions and developing cultural exchange programmes, he said.

The initiatives aim to make historical film records more accessible to the public and create new opportunities for collaboration between Albanian and Italian cultural institutions to preserve and promote their shared heritage.

/e.i/a.f/u.sh/