Today Albania celebrates Summer Day, called otherwise as the day of winter departure. This holiday has already created its tradition, not only among the inhabitants of the city of Elbasan, but also in other cities in the country and especially in Tirana.

On this marked day, Elbasan returns to the center of celebrations with diverse activities, from outdoor excursions, to the prosperous family lunch, where no balloon is missing.

The origin “Summer Day” is in the ‘Zana of Çermenika’ shrine, built on the outskirts of the city of Elbasan, which was the goddess of hunting, forests and all nature.

According to the tradition, this fairy came out of her shrine on March 14th. Inherited from generation to generation, this popular holiday is a day, which today identifies the city of Elbasan itself. Anyone who will spend these days near Elbasan will feel the evocative aroma of the balm.

Ballokume are traditional cakes of this holiday. In Elbasan, they are made even more special. It is the cakes that are cooked with well-sized cornstarch, butter and fine sugar.

Also, a detail of this holiday is the placement of “Summer bracelet”, a white and red thread bracelet that connects to the wrist and is selected when the first swallow is seen. In some provinces, the summer bracelets are hung on tree branches, mainly laurels, for the swallows to get them and bring prosperity.

/a.p./