Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the lake on social media on Monday, showcasing the natural scenery of Dumre, a landscape marked by rolling greenery and numerous small lakes.

The lake is surrounded by lush vegetation and the distinctive natural scenery of the area, which has helped make Belsh an increasingly popular tourist destination in Elbasan district.

The landscape is appealing in all four seasons, but spring and autumn are particularly striking, when the vegetation takes on vivid colours.

The Dumre region is home to about 84 lakes, ranging from larger bodies of water to very small ones, each with its own distinctive character and scenery.

The lakes are particularly rich in flora during spring. Among those noted for their natural beauty are Seferan, Merhoja, Cestija and Dega lakes, whose waters are home to white and yellow water lilies, adding to the area’s appeal for visitors.

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The Deputy Prime Minister stated that the investment reflects the Albanian Government’s vision to boost tourism through modern infrastructure and new attractions, creating jobs and promoting local destinations. Koçiu noted that the Urban Renaissance Program has already made Belsh a major draw for visitors, adding that the upcoming Urban Renaissance 2.0 will accelerate this urban transformation.

She added that the new investments are expected to bring more development, increased tourism and new opportunities for the local community.

The new five-story tower by the Zip Line is now a dedicated visitor information center. Mayor of Belsh Arif Tafani highlighted that this Info Point will guide tourists through Belsh, the Dumre area, and local agritourism offerings. The daily arrival of dozens of tour buses perfectly underscores the destination’s booming popularity. /gj.m/a.f/r.e/p.s./

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Balluku, stressed the importance of renewable energy and energy independence for Albania’s future.

Balluku noted that the photovoltaic park project will provide clean electricity for over 50,000 people and will reduce CO2 emissions by 50,000 tons annually.

The project is backed by an EU grant of 9.58 million euros and a 30 million euros loan from the EBRD and is expected to play a pivotal role in expanding the country’s energy capacity and reducing CO2 emissions.

Deputy PM Balluku noted that Albania has made significant progress in diversifying its energy sources and promoting green investments, noting the country’s rising reputation in international renewable energy auctions.

The project is part of Albania’s broader strategy to expand energy capacity and enhance export potential through regional interconnections with North Macedonia, Greece, and Italy.

“This initiative moves us closer to a sustainable and greener future,” Balluku concluded.

The construction tender will be launched shortly, with a 12-month completion timeline once the winning company is selected.

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Thanks to the rapid intervention of the firefighting forces from Belsh, Cërrik, Gramsh, Elbasan, Peqin and Nerat Kuçovë Fire Departments, as well as the engagement of two firefighting vehicles and Armed Forces personnel, it was managed to avoid spread of the flames towards residential areas.

There were also used two helicopters in the operation. They intervened from the air, helping to neutralize and extinguish the fire in difficult terrain. Currently, Belsh Fire Department personnel and municipality employees are still on the ground, controlling the area to avoid the reactivation of any hidden fires.

Meanwhile, following Albania’s request to the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, Italy has come to the aid with troops and two Canadair firefighting aircrafts, which are operating in the area called “Lake of Flowers”, in the Lura National Park. This intervention aims to accelerate the extinguishing of active fires in this area of high natural significance. Also, through the European Civil Protection Mechanism, Greece came to the aid with two Canadair aircrafts to put out the fire in Dukat, Vlora.

The operational forces, under the coordination of the National Civil Protection Agency, are continuing their work to put out other fires, in protection of citizens and property. /p.s./

This is a rather special gallery located in a building that used to be a military depot in Seferan, Belsh. But, Haliti transformed it into a place where art breathes.

Haliti, who is also the curator of the exhibition, used to paint the portraits while he conducted interviews with characters of the public life on the Albanian Radio-Television.

Following the “Prestanome” exhibition in Tirana, now his portraits are put on display in Belsh.

The exhibition consists of portraits of 63 art personalities, people of the Albanian public and cultural life, who have shared their confessions during the “Between Two Worlds” broadcast on television that was conducted by the painter himself. The characters bring to the collective memory their life and creation before and after the ’90-ies. /j.p/p.s./

According to Rama, all this development in this decade is thanks to the support Albania receives from the EU.

The head of the government underlined the importance of the vote of young people and first-time voters in the May 11 Parliamentary elections, calling for their mobilization not only to participate in the process through voting, but also to be actors and not just spectators of a democratic process. Rama emphasized that the people are the main actors in a democratic process when the day comes to vote.

“You should not underestimate the significance of participation in the elections,” said Rama, as he brought to attention a conversation he had many years ago with a foreigner, who reminded him of the significance of vote in respect of the millions of people in the world today who want to vote but are unable to, as well as of people whose desire to vote has taken them to prisons or executions during the communist system.

“May 11 is historic because we must end the negotiations with the EU,” affirmed the prime minister. /j.p/p.s./

Mayor of Belsh Municipality Arif Tafani shared in the social media the positive news coming from the International Waterfowl Census for 2025 for Belsh Municipality area and biodiversity in Albania.

“According to this census, during the current year the number of waterfowl and new species in all karst lakes in Belsh area has increased and this is a good indicator of the preservation and development of the natural habitat,” wrote Tafani.

According to him, this international census helps us to better assess the natural wealth of Belsh and promote the development of ecological tourism, which can attract thousands of visitors from all over the world.

He expressed optimism about creating favorable conditions for increasing the number of birds, strengthening natural ecosystems and maintaining ecological balances. /p.s./

“The revived Belsh, a formed waste dumpsite and thorn bush area we found when we took office, has now been awarded the second prize as a top green tourist destination among 100 selected destinations throughout the world at the International Tourism Trade Fair (ITB) Berlin,” PM Rama said in a post on the social media.

Belsh Municipality competed Wednesday for the of the GD Story Awards, celebrated the newly GD Awarded and Certified destinations, at ITB Berlin, one of the world’s largest tourism trade fair.

Nestled in the heart of Albania lies Belsh, a quaint municipality enveloping just under 200 km2 of scenic wonder. The area’s landscape is adorned with a necklace of 84 karst lakes, gently undulating hills crowned with olive trees, and a rich rediscovered cultural heritage that defines our identity. Local residents, mostly farmers and fishers, are distinguished for their warm-hearted hospitality and tranquil demeanor, and they welcome visitors with open arms and hearts.

Belsh Municipality in the Dumre area, known for its 84 lakes and endless hills with vineyard and olive groves, is becoming an important destination of ecotourism with the concept of sustainability and preservation of local natural resources and fragile environmental balance.

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On one of these days, Minister of Culture Elva Margariti chose to be present at the most recent discovery in the village of Rrasë in Belsh, the thermae, an ancient Roman bath.

“A unique find in all of Albania, which expands the archaeological map and the perspective for new discoveries. Now, Belshi has a new cultural and tourist destination and together with the Municipality of Belsh and the National Institute of Cultural Heritage we will promote this important space for archeology and our history”, wrote Margariti on social media.

This was the second year in a row that the National Institute of Cultural Heritage was involved in the celebration of the European Days of Archaeology. This is an initiative of the Institut National de Recherches Archéologiques Préventives.

The event aims to promote the cultural heritage, mainly the archaeological one, where the participating states commit to include activities according to a certain program. /gj.m/r.e/p.s./

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Frida Krifca shared today in the social media a view of this guesthouse, which has opened its doors of hospitality to visitors in every season of the year.

“Xhabakja” in Belsh is one of the many examples of guesthouses supported by the IPARD program and the Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development, with the aim of diversifying the farm and revitalizing rural areas for more youth, employment and vibrancy in the countryside”, wrote Krifca.

“In our guesthouse, we have made a combination of the traditional with the modern, both in terms of construction and cooking. 90% of the products are our own and are organic”, said the owner of this guesthouse.

He said that this investment was in context of the efforts of the Albanian government to transform Belshi and the area of Dumre.

“This investment was also an incentive for us, the support that IPARD gave us”, he added.

Agri-tourism is getting more and more development in various tourist areas of the country through established guesthouses. The transformation of rural areas into attractive landscapes has encouraged the creation of agri-tourism as a new model of rural development in Albania.

The government’s program for agriculture focuses on developing the countryside and rural tourism through support mechanisms, for the growth of agri-tourism activities and guesthouses, which have become attractions of special interest to the numerous visitors and tourists who frequent them all year round. /k.s/ /gj.m/p.s./