Bank of Albania celebrates 100 years of national currency and state-building
Bank of Albania Governor Gent Sejko commemorated the centenary of the first Albanian national currency at an exhibition launch in Prishtina, Kosovo. The event marked 100 years since the currency's entry into circulation in 1926, highlighting its role in state-building and public trust.
Money as a social contract and national narrative
Governor Gent Sejko emphasized the profound significance of money beyond mere instruments of exchange.
Currencies and banknotes carry symbols, preserve heritage, and reflect national identity.
Before becoming a symbol, money functions as a social contract, founded on public trust.
For a currency to succeed, citizens must have confidence in its value, wide acceptance, and the strong institutions and sound rules upholding it.
The exhibition 'Money Talks: 100 Years: Life and Events – Bank of Albania' recounts this journey as both an institutional history and a narrative of everyday life, illustrating how the nation has navigated hardship, rebuilt its economy, and pursued stability and prosperity.
From gold standard to modern monetary frameworks
The exhibition reveals the central bank's and Albanian currency's journey across three defining epochs, shaped by political and economic transformations.
The Bank of Albania has operated under various monetary regimes, from the gold standard to centralized planning and modern frameworks focused on price stability.
Drawing on documentary heritage, the exhibition also highlights the National Bank of Albania's early 1940s activities in Kosovo cities.
This narrative recalls Ismail Qemal Vlora's vision for a central Albanian bank as the 'basic cell' of national economic revival and a cornerstone for the independent state.
Stability, literacy, and European integration
The exhibition effectively links monetary history with modern financial literacy.
It shows how central bank stability underpins national development and citizen well-being.
The Bank of Albania's EU integration commitment, including SEPA, is a vital step towards shared prosperity.