THE GARDEN OF RIGHTEOUS

The meaning of the Gardens of the Righteous is to honor the women and men who, when faced with mass atrocities, take personal responsibility to defend human dignity and to come to the aid of the victims. The Gardens have the task of presenting to the public, as examples, those who even at the risk of their own lives, were able to go against the tide and uphold human values in the face of unjust laws or society’s indifference. A Righteous person acts because they listen to the call of their conscience, love others, and cherish the beauty of life. On the 20th anniversary of the founding of ZKM University, the Garden of the Righteous — the first in Albania — was inaugurated in Tirana. It is distinguished by the decision to engrave the names of the Righteous on stones from different quarries across the country, symbolizing the exemplary strength and enduring beauty of their testimony. Through this initiative, the ZKM Foundation aims to promote among students, staff, and guests the spiritual dimension of life, active citizenship, and a sense of responsibility toward the common good. The first “Righteous” person whose name was inscribed on a stone in the Garden is Carlo Urbani, with the following dedication: “An infectious disease doctor, he was the first to alert the world to the SARS-CoV-1 epidemic (2002–03). Struck by the virus, he died in Bangkok on March 29, 2003, at the age of 47. He demonstrated great competence and a deep sense of responsibility in his humanitarian missions — without borders and giving himself entirely.” The project, strongly supported by the Foundation, was designed by architects Alfons Shtjefni and Claudio Radice, and carried out by the RGR company. Many attended the inauguration of the Garden on March 6, 2024, among them the president of the ZKM Foundation, Fr. Ruggero Valentini; the Rector of the University, Prof. Leonardo Palombi; the deputy mayor of Tirana, Arch. Frida Pashako; and Monsignor Arian Dodaj, Archbishop of Tirana.