Hundreds of artists from all Albanian-speaking regions, Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia filled the streets and squares in Peshkopi and Great Dibra. The Oda Dibrane Festival is the longest and most important festival after the one in Gjirokastra, as it collects and promotes the artistic values of our folklore. This festival is a specific and original activity in Albania and beyond.

” The Oda Dibrane Festival speaks not only of generosity, wisdom, and hospitality, but also of music and folklore,” says the Mayor of Dibër, Rahim Spahiu.

Ensembles and folklore groups from Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia and Montenegro take part in this annual event.

The special feature of this festival is that it is held in two states, and it was conceived as such to show that the state border separation of Dibra   does not exist, it is one, it has one Oda, the same traditions. Folklore specialists say that commercial music is killing folklore, but they still remain hopeful because there are still new generations in the composition of the groups, who with a little attention, can raise and pass on our folklore to the next generation.

On the final night, the jury appreciated the artists, instrumentalists and singers who stood out the most. Groups were judged on performance and costuming. The Lura Ensemble received the award for the best group. The Folklore Festival “Oda Dibrane” targets the introduction of Albanian people culture, as well as promotion of the spiritual heritage values in a special genre, that of humorous song and dance, ritual and allegory, as well as the protection of these values.

/k.s/