On National Cultural Heritage Day, President Bajram Begaj sent a message on the importance of preserving and passing down Albania’s national treasures.

“Let us preserve and pass it on with pride, as our ancestors did, and keep it alive wherever we are,” Begaj wrote on Facebook.

He shared a video of the “K’cimi i Tropojës” dance, performed by Albanian students from the “Bijtë e Shqipes” school in New York, which he visited the day before.

“K’cimi i Tropojës” is one of Albania’s treasured cultural assets. It was recently included on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.

Begaj emphasized that cultural heritage reflects the spirit and identity of the Albanian nation. He called on everyone to safeguard and celebrate it with pride.

In addition to UNESCO-recognized heritage, Albania observes National Cultural Heritage Day every September 29. The day highlights the country’s cultural identity in three dimensions: material, spiritual, and natural.

The day also honors the actions of Albanian soldier Kamber Bënja. In 1916, he protected the archaeological treasures of Apollonia from looting by warring armies during World War I. Bënja later served as a career officer for the government of Vlorë after Albania declared independence.

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