Musine Kokalari was an Albanian prose writer and politician in Albania's pre-communist period. She was the founder of the Social-Democratic Party of Albania in 1943. Kokalari was one of the first published female writers of Albania. After a short involvement in politics during World War II, she was persecuted by the communist regime in Albania, and not allowed to write anymore. She died in poverty and complete isolation.
The music of Albania is associated with the country of Albania and Albanian communities. Music has a long tradition in the country and is known for its regional diversity, from the Ghegs in the North to the Tosks in the South. It is an integral part of the national identity, strongly influenced by the country's long and turbulent history, which forced Albanians to protect their culture from their overlords by living in rural and remote mountains.
The qeleshe, also known as plis and qylat, is a white brimless felt skull cap traditionally worn by Albanians. It has spread throughout Albanian-inhabited territories, and is today part of the traditional costume of the Albanians. The height and shape of the cap varies region to region.
Shqiponjat is a popular Italo-Albanian folk music group based in Santa Sofia d'Epiro, Calabria, Italy.
Shota, Vallja e Shotës or K'cimi i Shotës is an Albanian dance originating in northern Albania and Kosovo. It is an important symbol of Albanian sentiment and patriotism.
The traditional Albanian clothing includes more than 500 different varieties of clothing in all Albania and the Albanian-speaking territories and communities. Albania's recorded history of clothing goes back to classical times. It is one of the factors that has differentiated this nation from other European countries, dating back to the Illyrian period.
Gjirokastër Castle is a fortress in Gjirokastër, Albania. Gjirokastër Castle is situated at a height of 336 metres (1,102 ft).
The Dance of Osman Taka is a traditional dance in Albania and Greece. In Albania it is mainly danced by Cham Albanians. The dance bears the name of Osman Taka, a 19th-century Muslim Cham Albanian guerrilla fighter who fought against Ottoman forces. It is a famous variation from the Albanian Cham repertoire of the older Çamçe dance.
Nicolle Nikprelaj is an Albanian singer from Tuzi, Montenegro. Nikolle began his professional career in his late teens. He is now the lead singer for the Albanian folk group "Besa Trieshit", which has won first place in Albanian concerts and festivals in Montenegro, Kosovo and Albania. Nikprelaj plays several traditional instruments, including the lahuta, çiftelia, sharkia, and the bylbyli (flute). He plays traditional Albanian music featuring his instruments and vocals.
Albanian folklore is the folk tradition of the Albanian people. Albanian traditions have been orally transmitted – through memory systems that have survived intact into modern times – down the generations and are still very much alive in the mountainous regions of Albania, Kosovo and western North Macedonia, as well as among the Arbëreshë in Italy and the Arvanites in Greece, and the Arbanasi in Croatia.
The Song of Çelo Mezani is an Albanian polyphonic folk song. It is considered to be the best-known Cham Albanian song. The song increased the awareness in Albania about the Chameria region and its history.
Gjirokastër National Folk Festival is an artistic festival taking place every five years at Gjirokastër Castle in Gjirokastër, southern Albania. The festival was first held in 1968 and is regarded as the most important event in Albanian culture. The festival showcases Albanian traditional music, dress and dance from Albania, the diaspora, and Albanian inhabited lands throughout the Balkans and Southern Italy. The Gjirokastër Festival followed the tradition of the Folklore Festivals started in Tirana in 1949.
Iso-Polyphony is a traditional part of Albanian folk music and, as such, is included in UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list. Albanian Iso-Polyphony is considered to have its roots in the many-voiced vajtim, the southern Albanian traditional lamentation of the dead. The instrumental expression of the Albanian Iso-Polyphony evolved into the Albanian kaba.
Gjirokastër is a city in southern Albania and the seat of Gjirokastër County and Gjirokastër Municipality. It is located in a valley between the Gjerë mountains and the Drino, at 300 metres above sea level. Its old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is overlooked by Gjirokastër Fortress, where the Gjirokastër National Folk Festival is held every five years. It is the birthplace of former Albanian communist leader Enver Hoxha, and author Ismail Kadare.
Kosovan folk music is rich with rare and unique elements. Kosovo's folklore claims roots in the 6th–5th centuries BC.
Gusharaveli, also known as Dumsharaveli or Vallja e Detarëve is an Afro-Albanian dance performed only in Ulcinj, Montenegro. This dance is rarely performed at weddings, unlike other Albanian dances, but is more present in festivals or local holidays. It is believed that the dance originates from a combination of Africans rhythm and a bit of local Albanian rhythm. It is a dance in duple timing (2/2) and in groups.
Gashi Valley is a strict nature reserve located in northern Albania. Along with Rrajcë, it forms the transnational Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe, encompassing 94 nature sites, in 18 European countries.
The Cultural heritage of Albania is a blend of ancient traditions and historical influences that come together in Albania to create a rich mosaic of culture and history.
Vallja e Tropojës is a traditional Albanian folk dance originating from the region of Tropojë in northern Albania. Known for its dynamic and rhythmic movements, the dance is an important cultural expression that reflects the history, social values, and traditions of the region. Traditionally performed by groups in a circle or line, it is accompanied by traditional Albanian instruments. As a testament to its importance, the Vallja e Tropojës under the name of K'cimi dancing of Tropojë has been inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List in December 2024.
