Gjirokastra is making final preparations to host over 1,200 artists and thousands of visitors to the Argjiro castle. The Folkloric Festival will start on June 24-July 1, which will be broadcast live on RTSH.

It is attended by all Albanian folklore groups as well as groups from the Albanians of Kosovo, Montenegro, Macedonia, as well as from Arbëresh in Italy and folk groups from different countries as well as guests to combine Albanian and foreign culture.
The reflection of the genres of folklore and its values are the main word of this festival, also its purpose is to protect and promote to the general public the best musical, choreographic, ethnographic values created for centuries.

The parade of motifs, rhythms, colors, songs, dances, rituals will unfold in the stone city, which is expected to attract a large number of local and foreign visitors to enjoy these days of celebration.

The Gjirokastra Festival was conceived in the form of a folklore competition, which took place for the first time in 1968 and is considered the most important event in Albanian culture.
Well-known popular artists, brilliant performers, who with their talent gave sound, color and life to folk performances from all four corners of Albania over the years, are remembered today as the pride of the National Festival of Gjirokastra, names such as Xhevat Avdallin, ” Merited Artist”, Laver Bariu, virtuoso clarinetist, Ndue Shyti, “People’s Artist”, Demir Zyko, with the voice of a lyrical tenor, Fatime Sokoli, “Merited Artist” and “Great Master”, Dervish Shaqja, “Merited Artist”, Ali Kondi, “MeritedArtist”, Taip Madani, “Merited Artist”, Master of the elegant and colorful dances of Chameria, Golik Jaupi, “Merited artist”, Fitnete Rexha, “Merited Artist” and others.