Date: 20 July 2026 – Time: 18:00
The Toptani Palace, Tirana

Albanian heritage through artistic illustration, cultural education, and family tourism.

Under the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports, the MeWe Association, in collaboration with the National Center of Traditional Activities, is organizing a unique Cultural-Educational Evening.

The event is held as part of the completion of the “Doors and Bridges” project and the launch of a new illustrated guide for children and families. The guide explores Albania’s doors and bridges as symbols of our heritage: hospitality, Besa (the traditional Albanian code of honor and trust), heritage, activities, and the connections between people.

“Doors and Bridges” adds an engaging new theme to the wide range of illustrated art guides offered by the educational platform Family Art Guides.

To best promote this new cultural heritage production, we have envisioned a closing event with a dual value: educational for children and professional for the heritage field.

We would like to organize this event in a building of great historical and symbolic importance: the Museum House “Toptani Palace”.

The event will take place on 20 July 2026, starting at 18:00.

The event concludes the project by bringing together two worlds that rarely meet within the same event: the joy and didactic education of children with the professional reflection of heritage experts.

This is precisely the idea behind “Doors and Bridges” — to connect what appears to be separate. The Toptani House, as a historical site, becomes a “door” between the past and the future and a “bridge” between generations.

This symbolism is especially meaningful because the Toptani House belongs to one of the most influential families in the history of Tirana. Its character as a historic house, with doors and courtyards that connect generations, fully aligns with the concept of Family Art Guides, and specifically with the illustrated guide “Doors and Bridges”, which will be launched and promoted during the event.

The event is divided into two sections:

Section 1: Festive & Educational Event for Children and Families (18:00–20:00)

This section will mainly include children’s games and family workshops with animators and young artists.

Section 2: Presentation of the Guide “Doors and Bridges” & Heritage Experts Panel Discussion (20:00–21:00)

The overall themes of the event are:

  • Didactic illustration as a tool for promoting our tangible and intangible heritage. How art speaks to children about history and makes it accessible, engaging, and meaningful.
  • Doors and Bridges as concepts of Albanian heritage: hospitality, Besa, and connection; from the Kanun to the 2018 Venice Biennale.
  • Museum Houses and their role: A case study of the Kadare House Museum, Agolli House Museum, and the Toptani House as examples of preserving and revitalizing historic places through dedicated educational spaces and activities.
  • Collaboration between Institutions, NGOs, and Artists: How living heritage is created through partnerships and cooperation.