THE ALBANIAN STATE: A CENTURY IN SEARCH OF THE REPATRIATION OF NATIONAL HERO'S (GEORGE CASTRIOT- SKANDERBEG) WEAPONS

One of the questions raised not only by citizens, but also by scholars and historians is: Why state institutions and Albanian governments do not bring the original weapons of our National Hero- George Castriot-Skanderbeg back in Albania? This question was raised again during the celebrations of our 100th Anniversary of Independence, in 2012, when the two original swords and helmet from Vienna were exhibited at the National Historical Museum in Tirana, also during 2018; officially announced as the “Scanderbeg’s Year.”

The most frequently asked questions are: Why the most important elements of our historical heritage are far away from Albania? Are Tirana officials and the Albanian governments reminded about Castriot's weapons only during important anniversaries? Or are we dealing with a wrong perception? A perception perhaps created by the fact that only few have detailed information about the real efforts of Albania’s official institutions, to bring them back to their land of history?