The Albanian Institute


CURRENT STATUS

The "M. & M. Ivanaj Foundation Institute" became a legal entity in Albania in October 1996. Its temporary address is in Rr. Kristaq Mema, Nr. 7/1 - Tirana - Attn.: Pertefe Leka - Tel. 355-42-29502.

While the New York Corporation will continue to plan and organize the aims of the Foundation, the Albanian Institute will eventually provide the planned facilities right where they are intended, locally, within the country.

The Institute will serve as local headquarters in Tirana. In addition to becoming the repository of all family documents for the future, the Institute will operate as the focal point, within Albania, where students and scholars alike, regardless of their origin, can do research, plan, network, learn and even teach.

The properties in Tirana, slated to be used by the Institute, consist of two (2) parcels of land in the southwest section of the city, near the Presidential offices, the University of Tirana, the Great National Park and the lake. They are adjacent to one another, 3 blocks away from the main thoroughfare that runs across the city (Bulevardi "Deshmoret e Kombit"). They are situated at the corner of Rruga Vaso Pasha and Rruga Perlato Rexhepi, near the Faculty of Economics of the University of Tirana.

On the front piece of land sits the original building, consisting of 14 rooms that was built by the Ivanajs as their residence in 1936-37. During World War II it was enlarged in the back by the then occupying forces, and, in the past 20 years, a 2 story high L-shaped annex was added by the Albanian government. This addition now houses a gym and a training center for military personnel currently still using these premises.

The second parcel of land, in the rear of the above residence, is free and available for new construction, if and when needed. It is still surrounded by the original brick wall that defined the property when it was purchased and laid out. In front of the main entrance to the building part of the original rose garden has survived the past 6 decades. Both parcels of land and the large house are now totally owned by Drita Ivanaj.

[Click here for pictures]

CURRENT PLANS

The Ivanaj Institute is not a substitute for, or a replacement of any governmental, state, educational, or cultural organization in the country. It is intended to complement the public institutions with additional facilities in a private, unregimented, personal environment, geared mostly to the single student, researcher, or scholar. It is a cross breed between a public library and a home setting, suitable for study and meditation by a single individual, and with large enough facilities for a small group to receive possible free training, or where networking among colleagues, and/or communication with peers elsewhere, is facilitated. It should be the focal point where any Albanian intellectual can feel free to converge in person, or via modern methods of telecommunications, to make educational and cultural plans for the future.

In accordance with the wishes of the Ivanaj family, their residence is to be put at the disposal of the country. Thus, as soon as the current users can evacuate the property, it is going to be renovated to allow the setup and the functioning of the planned Ivanaj Institute.

The plans for the first floor of the original residence include:

·        A reference library, and study rooms

·        An exhibition room of the Ivanaj family historical documents and photographs

·        Conference rooms for training courses, cultural, and educational presentations

·        A network center for planning, and implementing the educational and research activities

while the second floor would contain:

 

·        The Foundation's administrative offices, and caretakers' quarters

·        Efficiency apartments to lodge visiting faculty

 

The Ivanajs' materials, currently in New York, are destined to be located in these facilities for use by the public, students, and scholars alike. Even additional documents that may be eventually donated from abroad, or from within Albania, can be catalogued and housed within the Foundation's premises for preservation and study reference.

Fundraising is conducted by both "The Martin and Mirash Ivanaj Foundation" in New York City and the "M. & M. Ivanaj Foundation Institute" in Tirana. Both organizations are legally recognized entities. Donations and contributions made to them are tax deductible.

In addition to financial help from donors, other types of contributions are gratefully accepted. Some examples of these may consist of:

·        translation and cataloging of written documents,

·        technical help for computerized records,

·        research for grant moneys and projects sponsorships,

·        solicitation of information and historical documents that can be added to the Institute's records,

·        engagement of faculty and/or organizations that can provide educational materials,

·        projects coordination and implementation of specialized training courses, seminars, and lectures, possibly conducted on a pro-bono basis, etc.

 

These two organizations are currently run solely by volunteers until such funds can be obtained for any necessary salaried staff.

Inquiries can be addressed directly to Drita Ivanaj by phone, fax, and electronic or regular mail, as indicated on the main entry page of this site.


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