The ‘Oda Dibrane’ Folklore Festival is a significant local event in the Dibra area, uniting artistic groups from all Albanian-speaking regions.

In its 29th edition, this three-night festival featured 11 ensembles and participating groups from Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Montenegro. They showcased unique elements of regional folklore, including songs, dances, traditional costumes, rituals, and popular games.

For many years, this artistic event has acted as a cultural bridge between Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and the Presheva Valley.

The festival was held for one night in Dibra e Madhe and two nights in the city of Peshkopia, drawing the interest of hundreds of art lovers from Dibra and beyond.

The artistic group from Bulqiza captivated the audience with their vibrant costumes, songs, and traditional dances, eliciting a special emotional response from the spectators.

All the artists delivered brilliant performances featuring folk dances and original songs, revealing the essence of our people’s artistic spirit. This festival is considered of significant importance and artistic content, ranking just below the Gjirokastra festival, according to art critics.

The final evening of ‘Oda Dibrane’ packed the Palace of Culture ‘Haki Stërmilli’ with an audience from Dibra, guests, artists, and friends. Among them was the Mayor of Dibra e Madhe Municipality, Hekuran Duka, who honored the event with his presence.

“The most exciting moment was the prize distribution, with the professional jury awarding the first prize to the ensemble ‘Lura’ for their fantastic and comprehensive performance. Other artistic groups were also recognized for their outstanding presentations.

Alongside the festival, another event called ‘Festa e te Vjelave’ took place in Peshkopi, where local farmers came together to promote seasonal produce, artisan goods, and traditional cuisine.

Almira Xhembulla, the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Environment, who attended these events, emphasizes that tourism in Dibër, as in all of Albania, is experiencing significant growth. She highlights the importance of coordination between the private sector and local government to meet the sector’s dynamics and demands.

She emphasizes that “Dibra, with its natural beauty, hardworking and courageous people, rich history, and extraordinary traditions, holds significant untapped potential for development and support.”

Various activities were organized as part of the festival to inform the public and engage children, bringing them closer to nature.

The Protected Areas booth played a significant role, attracting visitors of various age groups who received information about the significance of protected areas and their inherent values. Additionally, children expressed their interest and learned about the diverse fauna in our country through engaging and fun activities.

/m.ll/