On the final night, the Organizing Committee honored the Georgian Ensemble “Colkhida” with the cup of the seventeenth edition of the festival. The cup was handed over by Mayor of Vlora Ermal Dredha.

For four days in a row, Vlora was conquered by the songs, dance rhythms and various colors of folk costumes of the folklore groups that came to this festival from different countries of Europe.

For the seventeenth year in a row, the Aulona Festival has become a beautiful tradition for the coastal city of Vlora.

This year, ensembles from Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Georgia, Ukraine, Kosovo, North Macedonia took part in this great folk activity. While Albania was represented by ensembles “Dropulli” and “Eagle’s Wing” as well as the polyphonic group “Labëria treasures” from Albania.

Director of the “Aulona” Cultural Center and the General Director of the Festival Sejmen Gjokoli told ATA that, “During the festival days, 330 festival-goers crowded Vlora and its surroundings with songs, dances and colorful costumes, conveying the spiritual tradition of European peoples and at the same time becoming a bridge of cooperation and integration between each other’s cultures.”

According to him, in the opening days of the tourist season, this festival marks another extraordinary activity as part of the cultural agenda of Vlora municipality.

In context of the festival, there were also visits to places rich in cultural and natural heritage such as Zvërnec Monastery or the beaches of Radhima.

In addition to free performances in the streets and squares of the city, the festival also gave performances in the historical center of the city in the reconstructed square in front of the municipality, but also in the premises of the “Orbital Forest” near the National Museum of Independence in Skela.

On the first day of the festival, Mayor Ermal Dredha received the representatives of the participating groups at the premises of Vlora Municipality.

“The fact that there are so many of you and from such a wide geography of Europe shows the power of art and culture in connecting and strengthening friendship between countries, as well as the power of spiritual heritage in integrating the cultures of peoples”, said Dredha.

Aulona Inter Folk Festival is the largest international festival in the field of folklore where only for the effect of this activity, in the seventeen editions together, Vlora has been visited by 133 folklore ensembles with over 4700 participants from 38 countries of the Balkans, Europe and Asia.

The festival was supported by the municipality of Vlora, the Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation as well as other donors. /k.s/j.p/p.s./

With a goal from Kochorashvili at 71st minute of the second half after almost dominating possession and using their width to stretch Albania’s defence, adding three more points in Nations League.

Albania vs Georgia game takes place in Group 1 of League B, the second division of the Nations League, with both teams seeking a place in League A. The guests were first who started pressing and dangerously take the initiative in the beginning of the game by shooting from distance.

Sylvinho’s team found it almost impossible to penetrate the opposing defense. The match was decided by a super goal scored by Kochorashvili in the 71st minute. The Georgian defender, helped by a deflection, managed to score in Strakosha’s goal, in what was the only goal of the game.

This is the first defeat for coach Sylvinho at the “Air Albania” stadium since he took charge of the Reds and Blacks. After tonight’s game, Albania ranks second with 3 points, the same as the third place Czech Republic.  Georgia ranks first with 6 points, whereas Ukraine ranks bottom with zero points after two matches played.

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Albanian fans mobilized en masse, creating an extraordinary atmosphere in the capital, while during the afternoon they marched towards the “Air Albania” stadium. All tickets have been sold out. Earlier, it was reported that there will be 21,000 Albanian fans in the stadium.

Present at the “Air Albania” stadium, there will also be the fans of the guest team, Georgia, who during the day flooded the streets of the capital waving their national flag, adding colors and energy to the streets of the capital.

Statistics of Albania-Georgia matches

Albania won 3 times out 15 matches played, while Georgia achieved 8 victories and 4 matches ended in a draw. The red and blacks’ victories have all happened in the challenges played home in Tirana. As for the goal balance, the red and blacks have scored 13 times, while Georgia has scored 23 times.

League B, Group 1

1. Georgia 3 points (4:1)
2. Albania 3 points (2:1)
3. Ukraine 0 points (1:2)
4. Czech Republic 0 points (1:4)

Second group matches:

-Albania-Georgia 20:45, 10.09.2024

-Czech Republic-Ukraine, 8:45 p.m., 10.09.2024

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Albania’s Brazilian coach Sylvinho has decided to go for the 4-3-2-1 formation, with Rey Manaj as advanced playmaker.

Albania’s head coach Sylvinho has picked the following line-up: Thomas Strakosha, Elseid Hysaj, Mario Mitaj, Marash Kumbulla, Ardian Ismajli, Ylber Ramadani, Kristjan Asllani, Nedim Bajrami, Rey Manaj, Arbër Hoxha and Jasir Asani.

On his part, Georgia’s coach Willy Sagnol has decided to start the game with the following line-up: Giorgi Mamardashvili, Gvelesiani, Kashia, Dvali; Kakabadze, Chakvetadze, Kochorashvili, Kiteishvili, Lochoshvili; Mikautadze, Kvaratskhelia.

The Red and Blacks will look to build on their momentum following a dramatic comeback victory over Ukraine just three days ago.

Air Albania stadium in Tirana will see full capacity attendance for football fans as all tickets for the 22000-seat capacity stadium have been sold out. National side supporters hope that their team will continue its undefeated streak and secure another crucial victory in the Nations League campaign.

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The plan of measures envisages duties for all the police structures to maintain public order and safety during and after the international football match between Albania and Georgia.

According to police, the security measures include escorting and ensuring security of Georgian team from Rinas airport to the hotel and to the stadium and during their return to the airport; escorting players of the Albanian side to the stadium; thorough check of the stadium venues for unauthorized individuals, banned items and materials; providing safety and public order prior and after the game in the immediate surroundings of the stadium and in the capital city of Tirana.

A number of roads will be closed to traffic starting today afternoon.

Albania’s Red and Black will look to build on their momentum following a dramatic comeback victory over Ukraine just three days ago.

Air Albania stadium in Tirana will see full capacity attendance for football fans as all tickets for the 22000-seat capacity stadium have been sold out. National side supporters hope that their team will continue its undefeated streak and secure another crucial victory in the Nations League campaign.

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The Red and Blacks are riding a wave of excitement after their impressive after their impressive victory in the Nations League against Ukraine over the last weekend.

The 2-1 win against a formidable opponent seen as a Group B1 favourite has sparked a renewed sense of optimism among fans and players alike.

Air Albania stadium in Tirana will see full capacity attendance for football fans as all tickets for the 22000-seat capacity stadium have been sold out. Fans hope that their team will continue its undefeated streak and secure another crucial victory in the Nations League campaign.

Albanian Soccer Federation has urged all Albanian fans to go the Air Albania stadium on September 10. The match kicks off on Tuesday at 8:45 pm local time, with Albania eager to extend their unbeaten run and build on their momentum.

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On the eve of this challenge, Coach of the national team Edoardo Reja and defender Berat Gjimshiti appeared at a press conference to speak about this friendly and the preparations of the team.

Coach Reja said that they have already studied the qualities of the opponent.

The red and blacks coach emphasized that Georgia should not be underestimated and also talked about the players who will be on the field on Tuesday./p.s./

The Albanian national team will play versus Georgia on March 29 in what will be the 14th match between the two countries.

After reaching an agreement with Spain for the friendly on March 26, the Albanian Football Federation has reached an agreement with the Georgian Federation to play this match.

The Communication Department of the Albanian Football Association informed that it has been agreed that the match will be played in Albania, while the stadium and the time of the challenge are not fixed yet.

Albania and Georgia have played 13 times in the past with a record of 3 wins for the red and blacks, 3 draws and 7 wins for the Georgians. Of these, 9 matches have been in context of the European and World Cup qualifiers and 4 matches have been friendly.

The first challenge was played in Albania on December 14, 1994 and was in context of the qualifiers of the European Championship 1996. That challenge was won by Georgia with the score 1-0. The last match with Albania and Georgia was the friendly on November 16, 2015, which was played at the “Qemal Stafa” stadium and ended in a 2-2 draw./p.s./

Writing on Twitter, Veliaj also reported an important event like the arrest of the former president   Saakashvili following his return home after 8 years.

« On a brief visit in friendly Georgia to observe local elections being held there today as member of the mission of the Council of Europe Congress.

– Former president Mikheil Saakashvili arrested on return home after 8 years;

– Current President Zourabichvili gets committed not to grant any amnesty:

– Former football player of Milan Kakha Kaladze re-runs for Tbilis mayor”, wrote Veliaj./p.s./