Gjirokastër heritage chief resigns after museum display controversy

Florian Hysi, head of the Gjirokastër Cultural Heritage Agency, has resigned following public criticism regarding the display of national hero Çerçiz Topulli’s clothing at the Gjirokastër Castle Museum.

The controversy centered on the mannequin used to present the historical garments, specifically the portrait attached to it, which was deemed inappropriate for a figure of Topulli’s historical importance. In response to the backlash, the museum corrected the error by replacing the mannequin with a faceless version.

Hysi submitted his resignation to Mayor Flamur Golemi, describing the move as an “act of responsibility and respect for the institution.” He stated that while the error has been rectified, he accepts personal responsibility for the decisions made during his tenure. He noted that his resignation is not a surrender of his beliefs but a commitment to institutional accountability.