The manuscripts and documents of Jeronim De Rada, one of the most prominent figures of Albanian literature and the national renaissance, will finally make their way to Albania.

The General Directorate of Archives (DPA) will take possession of one-third of De Rada’s archives from the Cosenza Library, as announced by DPA Director Ardit Bido. This achievement is the result of an agreement between the two institutions.

“DPA is the only Albanian state institution with a physical presence among the Arbëresh communities in Italy. We have brought Albania closer to our compatriots there through 12 archival corners established in Sicily and Calabria. This initiative is complemented by several activities, including an exhibition in Bari to mark the 100th anniversary of Luigj Gurakuqi’s death, the acquisition of one-third of Jeronim De Rada’s manuscripts from the Cosenza Library—while the remaining two-thirds are in the AQSH (Central State Archives)—a joint event in Rossano with representatives from the Rossano Museum, home to a sister codex of the ‘Berat Codex,’ as well as visits to several Arbëresh villages in Calabria and Puglia,” stated Bido.

The 9th Nationwide Archival Conference, scheduled for June 13–17, 2025, in San Demetrio Corone, Calabria, will bring together experts, archivists, and researchers from across the Albanian-speaking world. Applications for participation in the conference are now open.

The conference proceedings will be featured in “Arkivat Shqiptare”, the sole publication dedicated to archival studies in Albanian territories.

Following stops in Pristina, Skopje, Saranda, Tuzi, Boletin, Manastir, and Elbasan, the conference’s next destination is San Demetrio Corone, a hub of Albanian heritage, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing in archival studies at a national level.