The festival, organised by the World Festival Association (WOFA), has brought together dozens of ensembles, orchestras and dance groups from across the region and beyond, showcasing traditional music, costumes and folk dances.

Performers from Ukraine, Türkiye, Moldova, Latvia and Montenegro took part in the opening evening, presenting cultural traditions from their respective countries in front of local residents and visitors.

Held in Durrës’ central Freedom Square, the festival is aimed at promoting cultural exchange and international cooperation through music and dance.

Organisers said this year’s edition features broader international participation than in previous years, reinforcing Durrës’ role as a regional destination for cultural events during the summer tourist season.

The festival is scheduled to continue through October, with dozens of performances planned in public venues across the city as part of a wider programme of cultural activities for residents and tourists.

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The first night featured emotional performances under the olive trees and coastal breeze, with poetry and music merging in a tribute to tradition and memory.

“This event honors Lefter Çipa, a National Honor and a guardian of our lyrical, patriotic, and historical songs,” said poet Kristo Çipa.

Organizer Aleksandër Çipa highlighted the festival’s role in promoting polyphony – recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage– and in drawing visitors interested in Albania’s folk traditions.

Held annually in one of southern Albania’s most emblematic villages, the festival remains a cultural landmark, spotlighting masterful iso-polyphonic performances and nurturing new voices of Labëria region.

Live music, including iso-polyphonic singing and other cultural activities take place during the festival.

The event, launched during the tourism season in Himara, Albanian Riviera, provides sustainable economic opportunities to the local population.

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Prime Minister Edi Rama attended the opening ceremony of the Festival that will last until July 1.

“National Folklore Festival, a jewel in the crow of tourist Albania,” PM Rama wrote on the social media.

“Largest event celebrating Albanian song and dance, an amazing showcase of the non-material cultural heritage began in Gjirokaster Castle tonight,” Rama added.

The weeklong festival will showcase traditional costumes, dance, music and songs from all of Albania’s regions, Albanian communities in other Balkan countries, as well as the diaspora.

Folklore groups and ensembles from all over Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, folk music groups from Italy’s Arbëresh communities, Greece, the Kingdom United, Switzerland and USA will showcase the values ​​of Albanian tradition, folklore and ethnography.

A total of 1,200 artists will take to the castle stage and 90 special guests will be part of the Gjirokaster celebration. Colors, sounds of folkloric songs and dances will resound in the stone city to write another modern historical chronicle, of the All-Albanian Folk Festival, where the tourists who have been filling our heritage monuments for days will also become part of the celebrations.

The first National Folklore Festival of Gjirokaster took place in 1968. Since then, the festival has been held every five years. The 70s are considered the golden period of participation in this festival. The Gjirokaster Festival is designed to be a folklore competition.

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