The festival has for years brought together residents of Mokra and visitors from across Albania, helping turn the mountainous region into a focal point for cultural activities and the promotion of local heritage.

Culture, Tourism and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said on Sunday the latest edition had attracted thousands of visitors and highlighted Mokra’s traditions, hospitality, history and distinctive cultural identity.

“Mokra N’Fest 7 brought together thousands of visitors to celebrate the traditions, culture, hospitality, history and unique identity of Mokra, turning the event into a symbol of unity, a return to one’s roots and the promotion of one of Albania’s most authentic areas,” Gonxhja said.

The festival offered visitors an opportunity to experience aspects of Albania’s cultural heritage through traditional food, music, dance and local customs. Traditional dishes prepared by women from Mokra were among the attractions, showcasing the region’s culinary heritage.

The programme also included outdoor and cultural activities, including canoeing on the Shkumbin River, camping, artists’ workshops, a photography exhibition and activities for children and young people.

Organisers presented the festival as an opportunity to connect the region’s natural landscape with its cultural heritage, with traditional dances, local cuisine and community gatherings forming part of the celebrations.

Mokra’s mountainous landscape and villages provide a backdrop to the festival, which seeks to preserve and promote traditions passed down through generations while encouraging visitors to explore the area.

The event also highlights the role of cultural festivals in promoting tourism beyond Albania’s better-known coastal destinations, drawing attention to rural areas and their traditions, cuisine and natural surroundings.

“Mokra N’Fest” has become an annual celebration of the region’s roots and cultural identity, while offering visitors a chance to experience the traditions and hospitality of Mokra firsthand.

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