This exhibition was opened with the collaboration between National Historical Museum and OTTOnomy. It was the first of its kind and presented to the wide public face images of 10 former US presidents with descriptions of Albanian newspapers of the time they run. Photos are realized with high artistic workmanship from the most prominent photographer of the time, the Albanian-American George Tames.
In the catalog prepared on this occasion the US Ambassador in Tirana, Mr. Donald Lu writes: “George Tames photos illustrate the efforts and challenges of the position, as well as our whole country, not just triumphs. Also they capture the human side of American presidents. ”
The opening speech was held by the Academic Director and Coordinator of Human Rights of OTTOnomy, Dr. Amy E. Lori and Stephany Tames, the daughter of the Albanian-American photographer.
During press pronouncement director, Mr. Labi said: “This exhibition, brought to Albania by Mrs. Tames will raise bridges of collaboration between our two countries. Who else can accomplish this better” According to Mr. Labi, these pictures are associated with parts of Albanian newspapers, which were carefully selected by a group of Albanian students. This constitutes the main theme of the exhibition, where the US presidents are set in the Albanian relations focus while they lived.
The exhibition will introduce the public with aspects of life among ten of the most prominent US presidents, from Franklin Roosevelt to George Bush. The objective of the Tames camera has caught presidents in special moments of their lives: Nixon pulling his socks, Carter caught swimming, Roosevelt with his dog, etc.
His photos show the core of the exhibition entitled: “US Presidents and Albanian relations” throwing a crucial and critical view for Albanian events in communist era, in dialogue with international events that led from cold war to transition.