Shkodër kicked off its carnival celebrations last night.

The city hall façade lit up with a colorful light show, projecting masks in vibrant colors. Every year, the carnival transforms Shkodër into an open festival stage, full of color and energy.

Mayor Benet Beci said weeks of preparation will make this carnival extraordinary. He promised a full week of magic, colors, and fantasy, where the city pulses with carnival spirit.

The festival will run until Sunday, February 15. The main square will host artistic floats, parades, animated and grotesque characters, concerts, and other events. The celebrations will engage local citizens and attract visitors from outside the city.

Shkodër’s carnival tradition dates back to 1860. It is now a key part of the city’s cultural and urban life. Residents have preserved artisan skills and the community’s creative spirit across generations. Venetian masks are registered in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List and remain a symbolic element of this tradition, representing a unique cultural and identity value passed down over time.

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