TIRANA, May 26 /ATA/ – Traditional music, folk dances and colourful costumes from across the world have filled the Albanian coastal city of Vlora during the 18th edition of the “Aulona Inter Folk” festival, which has brought together around 300 artists from Europe and beyond.
For two consecutive days, the city has turned into an open-air folklore stage, with traditional costumes, folk melodies and dance performances from different cultures creating a festive atmosphere across Vlora’s squares and main streets.
Festival director Sejmen Gjokoli told Albanian Telegraphic Agency
(ATA) on Tuesday that groups and ensembles from Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, Greece, Italy, Poland, Georgia, Burundi and Chile had presented audiences with a diverse repertoire of traditional songs and dances from their respective countries.
Participating ensembles delivered “extraordinary and captivating performances” on the festival stage, he said.
“The energetic performances amazed the large audience that filled the square in front of Vlora’s Flamurtari stadium, turning both evenings into a true celebration of culture,” Gjokoli said.
Among the participating groups were the “Albafolk” folklore ensemble from Tirana, the “Star Dance” Academy from Vlora, folk singer Ermelinda Bixhaku, the “Krahu i Shqiponjës-Taip Madani” ensemble from Vlora, the “Malli i Mërgimtarit” group from Patras, Burundi’s cultural troupe “Vumera” from Bujumbura, the “Avgerinos” ensemble from Ioannina in Greece, Georgia’s “Marduk” folklore ensemble, Italy’s “I Peddaroti”, Chile’s “Proarchi” ensemble from Santiago, Kosovo’s “Malësori” ensemble from Gjonaj and Montenegro’s “Sloga” ensemble from Denovici.
One of the festival’s highlights was a parade of Albanian and international traditional costumes held at Flag Square, where the city’s main boulevard filled with music, dance and spectators, including residents and tourists.
The festival concluded on Monday evening with an awards ceremony recognising the best performances of the event, which organisers say has become an important cultural tradition for Vlora and beyond.
The festival is supported by the municipality of Vlora, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports, and other donors.
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