National Folklore Festival Gjirokastra

The Festival aims to promote and protect the best musical, choreographic, ethnographic values which were created centuries
ago and broadcast to the world all the Albanian folklore genres. A particular emphasis is put towards highlighting and promoting folklore creations; imitation, pantomimic and humorist games; creations related to traditional and ritual festivities; as well as identifying and preserving ancient creations.
The National Folklore Festival took place for the first time in the city of Tirana, in 1957, under the title of “National Festival of Songs, Music and Dance”. The first National Folklore Festival in Gjirokastra took place in 1968. Afterwards, the National Folklore Festival took developed, once every five years in the city’s castle, respectively in 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988. In 1995, the Festival took place in Berat’s castle, while in 2000 the Festival returned to the museum city Gjirokastra, where it also took place in 2004 and 2009, with a participation of 1200 artists from different Albanian districts as well as from Kosovo, FYROM, Montenegro and abroad.
‪#‎ArgjiroFest_ON‬ 2015 is an all-encompassing show, where the city of Gjirokastra will be immersed day and night in a party of folk music, costumes, fairs, traditional crafts, exhibitions, film projections, OPEN STAGE with alternative music, including DJs and Albanian folk dance ateliers. This year there are 952 performers from Albania, 102 performers from the Albanian Diaspora in Kosovo, 100 performers from the Albanian Diaspora in FYROM, 50 performers from the Albanian Diaspora in Montenegro, and the following well known contemporary and traditional artists will take the stage of the Festival: Eda Zari, Olen Çezari, Rona Nishliu, Fanfara Tirana, Vikena Kamenica&Keli Band, Robert Bisha & Albanian Polyphonic