In December, the traditional dress of the Mirdita woman was granted the status of ‘National Value of Intangible Cultural Heritage.’ The decision was approved by the National Council of Cultural Heritage based on a proposal by the Mirdita Union. A working group comprising historians, lawyers, academics, and ethnologists was instrumental in preparing the necessary documentation for this recognition.

The dress of the Woman of Mirdita stands out as an exceptionally unique form of intangible heritage. Its origins date back to the Middle Ages, and within the embroidery of the guna (sweater) worn by the Mirdita woman, numerous mythical and cult symbols from the early Illyrian-Arberian culture are preserved.

The Mirdita dress is mentioned in the memoirs of Edith Durham, alongside observations by numerous other researchers and travelers fortunate enough to have seen and studied it.

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