The government recognized the traditional preparation of ballakume as intangible cultural heritage.

Blendi Gonxhja announced the news. He said ballakume authentically represents Albania’s culinary identity and tradition. He added it is closely linked to the Summer Day festival and has deep roots in the Elbasan region.

Ballakume is a traditional sweet made for the Summer Day festival. Bakers in Elbasan prepare it only for this celebration, making it unique.

The dessert contains butter, sugar, eggs, and finely sifted corn flour.

Albania’s intangible cultural heritage includes living traditions, oral expressions, performing arts, rites, and traditional crafts passed down through generations. It reflects the country’s spiritual wealth. It shapes Albanian cultural identity. Iconic examples include iso-polyphony, epic songs of the kreshniks, folk costumes, and social codes like besa.

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