THE INSTITUTE OF FOLK CULTURE

Director: As. Prof. Afërdita Onuzi

Background:

The Folk Institute was set up in 1961. In 1979, it affiliated to the Ethnology Department of the Academy of Sciences and was established as the Institute of Folk Culture.

Distinguished Albanian ethnologists and folklorists have greatly contributed to it. There is a good tradition in collecting ethno-folk materials that are preserved in its rich archives. From 1976 until 1992 it has had its permanent Albanian national exhibition in Tirana. It has a long-standing experience in its scientific publications. It’s the only state institution in Albania that carries out researches in the ethno-folk field within the framework of Albanological institutes of the Academy of Sciences.

Its scientific activity fields:

1. It carries out researches and publications in the field of Albanian folk and ethnology.
2. It carries out ethno-folk studies, archives, libraries, etc
3. It propagates the values of Albanian cultural heritage both at home and abroad (ethnografic exhibitions, publications, holds symposiums, conferences, etc).
4. Cooperates with all universities by means of its scientific potentials.
5. It cooperates with other institutions as well as non-governmental organisations in the field of cultural heritage. It keeps close contacts with its sister institutions throughout the world.
6. It administers, preserves, files and enriches its own cultural heritage in archives.

The scientific structure and archives:

It’s run by the board of directors, scientific board and 3 departments

Ethnology Department

a chief, scientific workers, scientific assistants (archive employees, draftsmen, photographers, etc.)
Ethnographic funds (nearly 30.000 objects).
A recorded ethnologic archive, sketch-maps (with nearly 10.000 sketches), phototech (with about 150.000 historic photos from field sites), etc.
Chemical laboratory that restores ethnografic, historic and archaeological objects and a photographic lab.

Ethnomusic and Ethnochoreography Department

Chief, scientific workers, scientific assistants (audio-visual technicians).
Sound archive (keep nearly 30.000 music units), kinofilmotecha (2000 dances, ceremonial songs) as well as the fund of the music transcription.
Studio recording with its proper equipment.

Prose and Poetry Department

Chief, scientific workers, scientific assistants (archivists).
Written archive (it contents nearly 1.500.000 verses in prose).
Scientific library (10.000 books) 

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Scientific and illustrative publications

Scientific periodicals

The IFC publishes 3 scientific periodicals:

“Folk Culture” magazine (biannually) since 1980. It was also published in French till 1990.
“The Albanian Ethnography” periodical since 1962 (18 editions) (ethnology department).
Collections: “The Albanian Folk Issues” (AFI), since 1982, 7 editions, published also in English (prose, poetry, music and choreography department).

The Albanian Cultural Heritage Corps

Albanian Folk costumes, volume I
Albanian Customary Right, volume I
Albanian Residence and Folk Dwellings
Albanian Folk Dance (lyrics)
Albanian Proverbs
Folk compilers (10 volumes)

Key monographs according to different fields:

Folk costumes, traditional farming, folk lodgings, migrations, folk craftsmen, art, family ceremonies, folk dance, music, folk instruments, mythology, etc.

Scientific and illustrative publications both at home and abroad

Albums of folk art since 1959, nearly 11 editions, in Tirana, Turin, Mynchen, Paris, etc.

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Exhibitions and scientific activities in Albania

Ethnographic exhibitions, conferences, scientific symposiums, folk national and local festivals, setting up of local ethnographic museums, etc.

Exhibitions and scientific activities abroad

The IFC has opened exhibitions of the Albanian Folk Art since 1960 and on (Moscow, Beijing, Roma, Turin, Bucharest, Paris, London, Copenhagen, Oslo, Wien, Graz, Helsinki, Vollos, whereas the last one is to open in Mynchen.

Participation in International conferences and congresses: (in Paris, Wien, Roma, Belgrade, Sophia, Bucharest, Kostanca, Cyprus, Thesalonique, Ancara, Budapest), etc. The IFC is budgetary; it’s financed by the state and welcomes every kind of cooperation in projects of the Albanian cultural heritage field.

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