Shpëtim SALA: The jewel of his rich archive is a collection of Albanian National Flags

The collection

From Bardha Nergjoni

He has been at least for 30 years, enriching his personal collection, but his  passion for collecting old objects appeared at a very young age.  In his house you can find everything; starting from old certificates,  numerous photos, different objects with the Albanian eagle engraved or embroidered and many books.  He has studied  as a zootechnician and he has been a professor  for many years, but his passion would  never fade.  His wish to explore in the field of  historical and literary studies was completed after  collecting numerous old books, that he has studied deeply.

Now he is the author of more than 10 books, he has discovered and studied the original dictionary of Thimi Mitko, he has completed many albums of photos, schools, Albanian Clubs of Resurrection and he also has an aim: to open the first private museum in Albania.

His passion has been inherited by his son, meanwhile his family has been witnessing “the take-over” of their home by different old objects, a part of a large collection owned by Shpetim, who leads the Albanian collectors’ net.

Every day he finds a special object, classifies it and registers it as the next file. He is one of  the only  collectors that has every collection organized.  He is looking for support to make possible  the exposure of  his treasure for the public, making this accessible for everyone.

Furthermore, the collector of ethnographic objects  Shpëtim Sala, brings us interesting details.

-You have more than 10 thousand  photos,  40 flags and other objects with the double-headed eagle, many schools’ documentations etc,. When has this passion started?

The passion of collecting objects has started since I was young. My grandfather has had many old  books and objects. Of course during the communist period we didn’t have the possibility of having a rich collection. Meanwhile, in the democratic system, everything changed. We can move freely in many countries, we can exchange, we can buy even on ebay.  So, we are in a period when the  possibilities to enrich collections are numerous. I travel a lot, and I work hard in the computer, because I classify every object I find, to make it easier to complete my collections.

– What does a collector have to keep in mind?

If you want to go ahead in a collection you have to focus in what you are searching for. Many people see a book and don’t appreciate it. Collections are like bee honeycombs, because if you have one part you always try to find the other one and the objects complete each other.

 

 

-You have told us about a private museum of Albanian’s flag. How did this idea of collecting nation symbols came to you?

Many times we have proclamations that contradict the system of  democracy.  Now,  we can’t expect to donate books  and collect objects, for which the totally an own  contribution and no support from the state. Many museums are closed, some others don’t have nothing in. We are ready for the registration of the objects  that we have  but still, we haven’t found, a right form for the registration because I have approximately 10 thousand original photos. The flags, or the objects that have the nation’s symbol are collected for several years.  The first flag is designed from my grandmother in 1919-20. There  are not only the flags, but also other objects that have the nation symbols. In this way we can see the evolution of the eagle in different places and objects over the years.

-Regarding the museum we hope  this would become reality as soon as possible. Are all flags going to be accompanied with other ethnographic objects related to their history?

The eagle is not only the symbol of  Albanian people. There are many families in Italy who have like a symbol the double-headed eagle, but the eagle is present in other countries  too.

-What does a collector aim?

First of all the expectations are in our self, to highlight all this treasure and to complete all the elements that are missed  in the whole mosaic of the collection.  There were more newspapers  in Albanian language, there  were at least 70 orchestras, that we aim to make more touchable for the public, through the exhibition and the publication of books.  We are preparing  the encyclopedia of Albanian photos, and not only the photos but also other elements.  All of them we try to collect and if someone requires it from us, then we can open an exhibition for the music, photos, schools, clubs.

-Which is the biggest  pleasure for a collector?

Our pleasures are endless, because the collections will always have something incomplete, and when you find it, this would be a great achievement.  This has to do with the photos and the written documents.  If I can find the photo and the seals that are missed this would be wonderful.

-And…the big regret?

The collector should be reserved because there are many objects owned by others that you can not have them.  I have many regrets but there are  always limits. Doesn’t  feel good  if you have something and  I can’t buy it. But the thing is it is hard for me to resign if  I don’t accomplish my attentions.

 

 

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