Archaeologist Auron Tare and professor Neritan Ceka have raised strong concerns about the way restoration projects and interventions in archaeological parks in Albania are being carried out, focusing particularly on Bylisi. Invited to the show "Minuta e Parë" on News24, they criticized the lack of institutional control, the use of funds, and the exclusion of archaeological specialists from projects affecting cultural heritage.
Auron Tare stated that the time has come for not only Albanian institutions, but also the European Union to be held accountable for projects financed with its funds, if they damage archaeological sites. He demanded that the EU ambassador provide explanations on how these funds were used.
According to Tare, with the funds being spent on such projects, Bylisi could have been fully restored, including the theater, representative buildings and mosaics. He described this ancient city as an asset of special national importance, which should be the focus of Albanian institutions.
Tare also brought up the example of interventions in the Finiqi archaeological park, where he claimed that a company contracted for the restoration had handed over the works to a local firm, which had used excavators near the ancient walls.
"Two excavators had gone to the top of the walls of Finiq, walls that are 2500 years old and they are digging them up with an excavator. Go and see what has been done in Finiq. It has never been done in Europe to make these kinds of interventions in ancient walls with an excavator," he said.
Meanwhile, Professor Neritan Ceka criticized the institutional reform in the field of cultural heritage, stating that the institutions that previously dealt with the restoration and preservation of monuments have been significantly weakened.
"Albanian institutions have been shattered. There is no Institute of Monuments, which has been the memory of over 50 years of monument restoration, archives, specialized people. Today, all projects carried out by the Ministry of Culture or other institutions related to heritage are done through tenders. So, the restoration of monuments is tendered," declared Ceka.
He emphasized that previously interventions were carried out through the Institute of Monuments and the Institute of Archaeology, while today, according to him, projects focus on companies that win tenders, without sufficient involvement of scientific staff.
Ceka also focused on the project in Bylis, claiming that the interventions are being carried out without the presence of archaeologists on the ground, despite the agreement signed between the Italian cooperation and the Institute of Archaeology. He also criticized the Ministry of Culture for the lack of control and monitoring of the works.
The professor also raised concerns about the lack of engagement of Albanian specialists, saying that there are five archaeologists in Vlora, but none of them go to work in Bylis.
"The Ministry of Culture has not set foot in Bylis for years. There are five archaeologists, five archaeologists work in Vlora alone, and none of them come to Bylis to work," he said.
Ceka also criticized the way the funds earmarked for this archaeological park are being used. According to him, while teams of archaeologists are working with very limited budgets, projects financed with millions of euros are not bringing the expected results.
He also mentioned the decision of the Council of Ministers of August 4, 2024, challenging the institutions to show specifically what has been achieved in Bylis with the funds provided.
"If he goes to Bylis and finds, besides this concrete building that will only be four walls, anything else from the 6 million, then tell me that I am a liar and he is a patriot," declared Ceka.
According to the professor, Bylisi is one of the most important testimonies of ancient civilization in the Albanian territory, with a theater, stadium, stoa, cisterns and organized urban constructions. He emphasized that the preservation of this wealth requires the commitment of specialists and responsibility from the institutions that administer cultural heritage.
