Gjirokastër National Folklore Festival
Encyclopedia
Gjirokastër National Folklore Festival (Albanian
: Festivali Folklorik Kombëtar i Gjirokastrës) is an artistic festival taking place every five years in Gjirokastër Castle
in Gjirokastër
, southern Albania
. The festival showcases Albanian traditional music, dress, and dance from Albanian inhabited lands throughout the Balkans and Southern Italy. It was first held in 1968 and is regarded as the most important event of Albanian culture. The Gjirokastër Festival followed the tradition of the Folklore Festivals started in Tirana in 1949.
in 1949 and subsequently on November 25-7 1959. Ten years later on October 8-16, 1968 was held the first National Folklore Festival in Gjirokastër to celebrate the birthday of Enver Hoxha
, the communist leader of Albania and native of the city. The festival was reheld every five years in 1973, 1978, 1983, and 1988. In 1995 the festival was held in the citadel of Berat
, while since September 2000 it has been held again in Gjirokastër.
as overall best performance, whereas the best individual performances was deemed those of bards Sherif Dervishi and Myfterin Uka.
Albanian language
Albanian is an Indo-European language spoken by approximately 7.6 million people, primarily in Albania and Kosovo but also in other areas of the Balkans in which there is an Albanian population, including western Macedonia, southern Montenegro, southern Serbia and northwestern Greece...
: Festivali Folklorik Kombëtar i Gjirokastrës) is an artistic festival taking place every five years in Gjirokastër Castle
Gjirokastër Castle
Gjirokastër Castle is a castle in Gjirokastër, Albania ....
in Gjirokastër
Gjirokastër
Gjirokastër is a city in southern Albania with a population of 43,000. Lying in the historical region of Epirus, it is the capital of both the Gjirokastër District and the larger Gjirokastër County...
, southern Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
. The festival showcases Albanian traditional music, dress, and dance from Albanian inhabited lands throughout the Balkans and Southern Italy. It was first held in 1968 and is regarded as the most important event of Albanian culture. The Gjirokastër Festival followed the tradition of the Folklore Festivals started in Tirana in 1949.
History
The Gjirokastër National Folklore Festival was preceded by the National Festival of Song, Music and Dance held in Tiranë, capital of AlbaniaAlbania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
in 1949 and subsequently on November 25-7 1959. Ten years later on October 8-16, 1968 was held the first National Folklore Festival in Gjirokastër to celebrate the birthday of Enver Hoxha
Enver Hoxha
Enver Halil Hoxha was a Marxist–Leninist revolutionary andthe leader of Albania from the end of World War II until his death in 1985, as the First Secretary of the Party of Labour of Albania...
, the communist leader of Albania and native of the city. The festival was reheld every five years in 1973, 1978, 1983, and 1988. In 1995 the festival was held in the citadel of Berat
Berat
Berat is a town located in south-central Albania. As of 2009, the town has an estimated population of around 71,000 people. It is the capital of both the District of Berat and the larger County of Berat...
, while since September 2000 it has been held again in Gjirokastër.
Last season
The 9th season was held in September 2009. The winners of the Festival was the Shkodër CountyShkodër County
Shkodër County is one of the 12 counties of Albania. It consists of the districts Malësi e Madhe, Pukë and Shkodër. The capital of the county of Shkodër is the city of Shkodër....
as overall best performance, whereas the best individual performances was deemed those of bards Sherif Dervishi and Myfterin Uka.