TIRANA, Sept 21 /ATA/ - A unique photography exhibition titled “Diary of the Greco-Italian War 1940–1941” has opened in the resort town of Pogradec, featuring rare historical materials from the wartime diary of Arvanite author Christos Petrou Mesogeitis, the municipality in south-eastern Albania announced Sunday.

Mesogeitis documented in detail the Greek army’s military operations against Italian forces in southern Albania, while also portraying the daily life of local residents in and around Pogradec and Maliq during the conflict.

His photos and notes highlight villages, archaeological sites, professions, traditions, and the hardships of war.

The exhibition stands out for going beyond military events to focus on ordinary people, offering a fuller picture of life during the Greco-Italian war. Mesogeitis, trained in archaeology before joining Greek forces, died in 1944 just before Greece’s liberation, leaving behind a valuable historical testimony.

His descendant, Petro Filipi, brought the archive to Albanian audiences for the first time. “I am very happy to open this exhibition of my Arvanite grandfather’s photographs after 85 years,” he said.

“These images, published in his book, show not only the war but also the communities he encountered. He even helped poor families in this area at the time.”

Curator Ledian Zeqollari said the exhibition captures vanished landscapes such as Maliq Lake, multi-story stone towers in Pogradec villages, and scenes of farmers’ lives, offering visitors a chance to learn more about the Greco-Italian war period.

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