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Albanian culture is an exotic blend of traditions that have
evolved over thousands of years. From the ancient Illyrians and Greeks
to the Romans and the Ottomans, the language, music, arts, and cuisine
of the Albanian people are a rich and vibrant mix of many civilizations.
Once you discover our culture, you are bound to fall in love with this
new destination on the Mediterranean.
Hospitality is in our nature. Welcoming guests and ensuring
their comfort is a hallmark of Albanian heritage and is epitomized by
our very own Nobel Peace Prize recipient: Mother Teresa. The spirit of
cooperation and friendship thrives in Albania, and it is not uncommon
for guests to be invited to eat and drink with curious locals wishing to
learn more about you.
Besa is a concept related to the Albanian code of honour and is
an idea that is very important to the Albanian people. In the Kanun (a
set of traditional Albanian laws), Besa is described as the highest
authority, so essential to personal and familial standing as to be
virtually a cult. Besa has been the subject of some stories and novels
by Albania’s foremost modern novelist, Ismail Kadare, a Nobel Prize
Candidate for Literature and winner of several international prizes.
Kadare’s work has been published in over forty countries and translated
into more than thirty languages, making Kadare the best ambassador of
Albanian literature worldwide.
If we are speaking about the food and drinks of Albania, then we must mention the country’s deliciously-unique cuisine.
It has many similarities to Turkish and Greek dishes, but offers a
healthier, Mediterranean twist. Come try our wide variety of phyllo
dough delicacies, including a melt-in-your-mouth sensation called byrek,
or the original sweet treat known regionally as baklava.
Albania also has a long tradition of wine craftsmanship, which
is lately being revived to its former glory. While you’re here, taste a
sampling of our wine, produced from a rich soil that has been under
cultivation since the ancient Greeks and Romans. Regardless of your
culinary inclinations, we guarantee that our rich history and culinary
traditions have created a menu of mouth-watering specialties for you to
try.
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Each region of Albania likes to specialize in its own brand of music,
thus giving the music aficionado an incentive to explore the entire
country in search of each community’s sense of style. For example,
UNESCO has classified a type of music from southern Albania, known as
Iso Polyphony, to have tremendous cultural value to humankind. Our music
has even given rise to a few prominent artists of global acclaim,
including opera lyric soprano, Inva Mula, and the distinguished
violinist, Tedi Papavrami.
In regards to style, when you arrive in Albania, you will notice that
the men take great pride in their appearance and will often don a suit
and tie when in public. Even if their errands only involve a short trip
to the grocery store, the men will dress to impress.
Depending upon the type of festival or time of year, you might even
catch a glimpse of Albanian men in traditional folk attire. The National
Folk Festival held in Gjirokastra is a prime example. This special
autumn event is held once every four years and attracts artists from
around the world.
The women of Albania also share a flair for style, especially at
traditional Albanian weddings. At these events, the families of both the
bride and groom will gather together in their finest dress and
celebrate with great fervor. Weddings are often the ideal opportunity to
witness the best of Albanian culture all in one event, and if you’re
invited to one, the experience will undoubtedly be extraordinary.
Albanian culture is unique in many ways and we hope you’ll visit us to
see it first hand. We say ‘yes’ by shaking our head from side to side,
both men and women greet each other with a kiss on either cheek, and our
conversations are loud and passionate in an effort to entice others to
join in. Visit Albania and discover why our culture is a new
Mediterranean love.