Running from September 19 to 22, the tour stops in Brescia, Turin, Pordenone and Rovereto.

Through a program centered on traditional music and dance, the National Ensemble aims to showcase the diversity and richness of Albanian folklore on Italian stages.

On September 19, the ensemble will perform in Brescia, launching this artistic journey in Italy. The following day, September 20, the Albanian artists will perform in Turin, while the tour continues to Pordenone on September 21.

The final performance will take place on September 22 in Rovereto.

For the Albanian community living and working in Italy, these performances offer an opportunity to reconnect with the culture and traditions of their homeland.

Albanian folk songs, dances and traditional costumes will take center stage in this cultural showcase, bringing the rich identity and diversity of Albanian tradition to Italian audiences. The tour highlights the vital role that Albanian institutions and artistic troupes play in promoting national heritage on the global stage.

Through such activities, traditional art serves as a bridge connecting Albania with Albanian communities in the diaspora.

For many Albanians living far from their homeland, the National Ensemble’s performances on Italian stages offer a chance to reconnect with memories, roots and the emotions associated with Albanian culture.

Spanning four cities and four artistic evenings, the tour will bring the sounds, rhythms, colors, and costumes of Albanian tradition to Italy, transforming the event into a celebration of Albanian culture and identity. /p.s./

Following stops in Vlora, Laç and Saranda, the National Folk Songs and Dances Ensemble performed in Durrës yesterday.

Thirty artists filled the stage in Durrës with the vibrant sounds and colors of Albanian folk tradition. Civic music and lively rhythms turned the performance into a shared celebration. The audience did not just watch the show; they joined the artists in song and dance to create a powerful, energetic atmosphere.

Fest Folk 2026 stops in Gjirokastra tomorrow, August 13. The National Ensemble of Folk Songs and Dances will perform an evening of traditional Albanian music and dance in this historic cultural center.

Fest Folk 2026 tour by the National Ensemble of Songs and Dances is a live tribute to our timeless folk music, dances, and traditional costumes.

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Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja reacted to this triumph of cyclist Fabritiis, while stating that, “In the decisive final kilometers, De Fabritiis delivered a calculated and steady performance. Controlling the race’s tempo with brilliant tactical intensity, he powered across the finish line in first place.”

“From a thrilling course and intense, unrelenting competition, a true champion emerged to claim the prestigious Tour of Albania victory”, said Gonxhja.

The 5th stage of the Cycling Tour of Albania stirred up emotions until the last meters, confirming the high competitive level of the race and the great interest of sports fans in this traditional cycling activity in the country.

The 2026 Albanian Cycling Tour ended today with the 5th and final stage. According to the itinerary compiled by the Albanian Cycling Federation, the 5th stage started in Vlora and ended in Fier where there was crowned the winner of this 83rd edition.

After about three hours of racing, the 22-year-old Gabriele De Fabritiis, representative of the Albanian national team, arrived first at the finish line. He left behind the Greek Georgios Bouglas while the Romanian Alin Toader ranked third. It was a 121.3 kilometers long route with cyclists of 18 competing teams.

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Divided into five stages, this tour traverses historic cities, coastlines and mountains to promote Albanian heritage and hospitality. For the first time, this immersive experience will be broadcast live to both local and international audiences.

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a video in the social media dedicated to this important sports event.

The Cycling Tour of Albania unites 20 European and Balkan teams in a dynamic celebration of sport, culture, and tourism. Over five thrilling stages, riders traverse historical towns, dramatic coastlines, and mountain reliefs. Through the first-ever LIVE broadcast, local and international audiences can now experience the adrenaline of the race and the warmth of Albanian hospitality like never before, wrote Rama.

To ensure a smooth event, the State Police—in coordination with relevant agencies—has implemented comprehensive security and traffic management plans. The race will span May 18–22, 2026, crossing major national routes. Authorities will escort athletes and secure the course. Motorists are advised to use alternative routes to avoid temporary delays.

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The winner of this race was Nils Rimajer, from the Amsterdam team from the Netherlands.

Regarding the individual classification, Rimajer leads after two legs and holds the yellow jersey.

The field sprint was led by cyclist of the Albanian team Gabriele De Fabritis. He wore the white jersey and was also declared the best young cyclist of this leg.

Following the first two legs, Tirana-Rrëshen-Shkodra 151 km and Shkodra-Elbasan 188 km, the Amsterdam team is ranked in the first place.

Tomorrow, there will take place the third leg, Elbasan-Vlora, 149 km long. /j.p/p.s./

15 teams will participate in this edition of the race, with 96 cyclists who will compete to ensure individual and team victories in this important activity for sports in our country.

The State Police presented today the plan of measures for the smooth running of the 82nd Cycling Tour of Albania, which takes place in five stages, in several cities of the country.

The Police requested the understanding and cooperation of citizens to avoid passing on the roads where this activity will take place. /p.s./

“Have a taste of Albania through the taste of our wine. The Wine Tour, which gives color to the “Agro-tourism Tours” program, stopped to taste the wines of the “Çobo”, “Pupa” and “Alpeta” wineries, promoting a special experience of Albania, where viticulture and enogastronomy are treasures of our tourist offer, but also to appreciate the effort that farmers and wine producers go through to preserve autochthonous varieties and produce high quality wines”, wrote Kumbaro in the social media.

At present, viticulture and the production of quality Albanian wines has become a key sector for economic development and a source of pride for the Albanian “Made in Albania” brand. According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, during last year there are registered 10,178 hectares of vineyards and 9,822 hectares of vineyards.

The growth of the wine sector has come thanks to the support given by the government through the National Schemes in the course of years and the IPARD Program for increasing the surface of the vineyards, investments in technological equipment for the production process, increased certification of indigenous seedlings and support to participate at international fairs in elite markets. /e.i/a.f/p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared today in the social media photos from this tour, where every tourist will be given the opportunity to get acquainted with the traditional Albanian way of life from very close, also as a welcome invitation to those homes where hospitality as a virtue gets meaning through the expression “Albanian’s home is of God and guest”.

In the wake of the pilot model “Agro-tourism Tours”, the third tourism product, “Tour of Towers”, brought together tour operators, collaborators and lovers of tradition, architecture and history in a short, but impressive trip to some of the towers that are part of this tour.

The doors of the towers were generously opened to offer the traditional dishes of the area of ​​Mati and Bulqiza, which were followed by songs, dances and stories handed down from generation to generation.

Among several towers, part of the tour, the participants visited “Barçi Tower”, “Celiku guesthouse”, “Shaban Zajmi Tower”, “Ancient Tower” and “Hupi Tower”.

“Tour of Towers” is an innovative idea supported by GIZ Albania so that to have a taste of Albania from a previously unexplored point of view. /r.e/a.f/p.s./

The British diplomat visited the towns of Kukes and Tropoje on Wednesday, pledging that UK is a partner in growth and entrepreneurship in the two northern Albanian regions.

“We believe in the potential of Albania and we’re committed to working with you as Partners for Progress,” Abbot said.

“The United Kingdom has a long commitment to support development here and throughout Albania. Over the years we have invested in projects that have improved economic development and education for young people. We want them to excel, contribute to their country through entrepreneurship and compete successfully in the technology market,” Abbott said.

British Ambassador said that Kukes is home to a vibrant community with rich culture and history.

“I am particularly impressed by the innovative business ideas introduced by the younger generation and the spirit of the people here. It is this spirit that inspires our partnership,” he added.

Through the embassy tour – Abbott went on saying – we present initiatives that help local residents in northern Albania to build their future here.

“We are creating opportunities in technology, business and other key sectors,” Abbott concluded.

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Prime Minister Edi Rama wrote today in the social media that the Albanian city of Durrës has entered the competition list of this great Italian water sports activity, which is organized by the Navy of the neighboring country.

PM Rama took the opportunity to congratulate the Albanians on this day off, “with Durrës that this year is included in the Sailing Tour of Italy, becoming part of a traditional spectacle of the Italian Navy”.

The Italian Sailing Tour is one of the most popular and traditional sports that not only attracts extreme water sports enthusiasts, but also strongly promotes the many tourist spots of the Italian coast.

The inclusion of Durrës on the map of this activity, with the “Land of eagles – Durrës” stage, opens a new perspective for the development of this sport in our country, becoming an elite promoter of the beauties of the Albanian coast of the Adriatic and encouraging tourism.

The activity will take place from June 16 to July 21, 2024, while Durrës stage will be on July 6-9, the Italian Navy reported./p.s./