The carnival celebration, which included a parade of children in colorful costumes on the cobbled streets, art concerts, exhibitions, folk and culinary, brought Gjirokastra a special day with a special atmosphere. For many years carnivals were forgotten in Gjirokastra. But for the second year in a row, they have become one of the biggest festivities in the stone city.

With colorful costumes of beloved puppet characters and the sounds of music, children have enjoyed the atmosphere parading through the cobbled streets of the characteristic bazaar.

This is a pagan holiday, and its organization dates back to the 1900s, at the time of the Turkish occupation.

The typical costume was the traditional one of the area, the labe fustanella, and the various characters, even those of women, were all interpreted by men.

The most recent organization of this holiday in Gjirokastra is remembered to have been in the ’60s.

/Klara Ruci/