Gjirokastër National Folklore Festival

The Gjirokastër National Folklore Festival is a vibrant cultural event held every five years at the historic Gjirokastër Castle in southern Albania. Established in 1968, this festival is one of Albania's most significant cultural gatherings, celebrating traditional music, dance, and costumes from Albania and other regions with Albanian populations, including parts of the Balkans and Southern Italy.

The festival's origins trace back to 1949, marked by the first National Festival of Song, Music, and Dance in Tirana. Inspired by this early event, the inaugural Gjirokastër National Folklore Festival was launched in 1968 and has continued regularly with few exceptions. Notably, the 1995 festival was held in Berat, and the 11th edition, initially planned for 2021, was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Gjirokastër festival is a lively competition where performers showcase their talents, and winners are recognized for their efforts in preserving Albanian folklore. In addition to this festival, several other events across Albania celebrate traditional Albanian culture, such as Sofra Dardane, Oda Dibrane, Logu i Bjeshkeve, and the Cham Dance Festival. Each of these festivals underscores the rich heritage of Albanian music, dance, and traditional attire.