Archeology and Heritage in Albania with Dr. Era Xhaferaj
Thursday, October 10, 2024 6pm to 8pm
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1110 W Belden Ave
#DePaul Hidai "Eddie" Bregu Annual Lecture in Albanian Studies; DePaul Albanian Studies; DePaul Albanian and Southeastern European StudiesThe DePaul Albanian and Southeastern European Studies hosts
The Hidai “Eddie” Bregu Annual Lecture in Albanian Studies:
Archeology and Heritage in Albania
Byzantine Monumental Paintings (13th – 14th century)
with Dr. Era Xhaferaj
The cultural heritage of the Albanian people is complex and has manifold roots in ancient and medieval history. Christian monuments are particularly recognized recently for their historical, architectural and artistic values. Through the late antique and medieval centuries people in the Albanian territory received cultural, mental and spiritual impulses from the Christian peoples and institutions in Southeastern Europe, Greek and Roman cultural influence was followed by Byzantine and Western. However, the territory did not become a simple melting of cultural elements, but on the contrary integrated these elements and ideas in the mainstream Albanian cultural and ideological identity. The archaeological sites of cultural heritage offer firm material evidence for this historical and ongoing process. In this context, this lecture gives an overview of the stages of archaeological investigation in Albania.
Besides the renowned sites, such as Butrint, Apollonia, Byllis, etc. which attract a large number of tourists, special reference is made to the numerous religious monuments, especially to the most important and representative Byzantine monuments, highlighting the wealth of byzantine heritage in Albania. Christian churches with their rich architectural and artistic formulas and diversity have been proved rich points of reference in the exploration and explanation of historical stages of the country.
The investigation of monumental painting patterns of 13th and 14th century in Albania offers important data concerning the process of historical metamorphosis of local nobility, from tribal leaders to independent dynasts. Eminent members of this class, either secular or religious, became the main supporters of artistic creativity. Their relations to Constantinople and other spiritual and cultural centers such as Mount Athos and their involvement in construction and decoration of religious buildings influenced the iconographical program and its ideological contents profoundly. Different workshops were invited to work and fulfill the demands and tastes of their patrons, inheriting impressive artistic creations both in terms of style and ideas.
Dr. Era Xhaferaj is an expert of Byzantine and Post Byzantine Art at National Institute of Cultural Heritage in Albania and vice-chairman of the Permanent Commission of Archaeology at the Academy of Sciences of Albania.
Q&A after the lecture moderated by Gazmend Kapllani, director of DePaul Albanian and Southeastern European Studies Program
Questions: gkapllan@depaul.edu
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