The French edition of the book 'The Last Journey of Eugène and Hélène Pittard's to Albania' opens the campaign to recognize the Swiss academic's contribution to Albania.

"When Eugène Pittard and his wife Hélène first set foot in Albania, little did they know that they would fall in love with the country and its people. From that year in 1910, it seems like their life was marked by their shared passion for this small Balkan country", said the Swiss Ambassador.

"Today we celebrate the life and work of a remarkable Swiss intellectual whose contributions to Albania have left an indelible mark on both our nations' shared history. He is undoubtedly, a true Swiss-Albanian legacy", Ambassador Huber also said.

"In fact, this is a cornerstone in Swiss-Albanian relations", said the publisher of the book, Luan Rama. He mentioned the scientific, anthropological, humanitarian, educational and diplomatic mission of Pittard in the service of Albania.

During the activity, actresses Yllka Mujo and Elia Zaharia read pieces written by Eugène Pittard and Hélène Pittard, who was a well-known writer in Switzerland.

Eugène Pittard became Albania's international spokesperson at a delicate time. He lobbied strongly for the country's rights and sovereignty and played a vital role in Albania's admission to the League of Nations in 1920. His most famous pamphlet 'Pour L'Albanie' published in the Geneva daily 'La Suisse' presents the real state of the country in that period, provides arguments and appeals for the recognition of Albania's sovereignty.

The Albanian state at that time appointed Eugène Pittard Honorary Consul General in Geneva.

The publication of the book in Albanian and French will enable wider recognition of the forgotten story of the Swiss couple who did so much for Albania. The book is the fruit of many years of work by the author Kudret Isaj, with valuable contributions from the descendants of the Pittard family in Geneva.

The campaign to recognize the figure and contribution of Eugène Pittard for Albania continues with a series of other activities throughout 2024-2025.Botimi në frëngjisht i librit ‘Udhëtimi i mbramë i Eugène dhe Hélène Pittard në Shqipëri’ çel fushatën për njohjen e kontributit të akademikut zviceran për Shqipërinë.