SESSION 1 Eighth Annual Meeting of the South East European Experts Network on Intangible Cultural Heritage 15-16 May 2014. Limassol, Cyprus Author: Mery Kumbe, Director of National Center for Folk Activities, Ministry of Culture DISCLAIMER The ideas and opinions expressed in the above presentations are not necessarily those of UNESCO and do not commit the Organization. The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout the documents do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNESCO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city of area or of its authorities or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

1. IMPLEMENTING THE UNESCO CONVENTION FOR THE
SAFEGUARDING OF THE INTANGIBLE CULTURAL
HERITAGE: PROGRESS, EXPERIENCES AND
CHALLENGES
Ministry of Culture
National Center of Folkloristic Activities
Albania

2. The Intangible Heritage, as one of the most important vectors of the Albanian culture
passed down from generation to generation, is continuously preserved and safeguarded with
diligence from the communities which created and transmitted it, as part of their national
identity and national pride, along with the public and private institutions which are responsible
for its safeguarding.
Intangible Cultural Heritage, (according to the Law “On Cultural Heritage” of 2003),
consists of:
 Oral folklore,
 Vocal, choreographic and instrumental folklore,
 Traditional customs and practices,
 Traditional beliefs,
 Traditional crafts.
These forms of Intangible Heritage are created by the Albanian spirit over the centuries,
from communities and groups in function of their interaction with nature and history, giving a
sense of identity and continuity, so as to promote cultural diversity and human creativity.

3. Since Albania became a signatory of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of
Intangible Cultural Heritage, a lot of effort has been put into implementing the requirements of
the Convention.
Now, the Ministry of Culture is giving a lot of importance to I.C.H. and so has created the
Directorate of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and Revitalization of the Albanian Language.
Cultural Heritage and Revitalization
of the Albanian Language
Sector of the Intangible
Heritage
Sector of Cultural Diversity

4. PRIORITIES AND PROVISIONS:
1. Law:
The elaboration of existing laws and the inclusion of the UNESCO Convention
recommendations are of the utmost priority.
2. Education through (I.)C.H.:
The first step of this reform is the involvement in the Regional Directorate of
the National Culture of an intangible heritage specialist who will serve as a contact
person to the local community.
3. Interactivity:
To further develop the collaboration with specialized Institutes in ICH, the
private NGO-s, and specially the communities themselves, to continuously increase
the ability of the relevant structures to safeguard and promote the Albanian Intangible
Heritage.

5. 4. Technology and I.C.H.:
 The digitalization and centralization of the archives
 Spread of information and its access through web platforms
 Representation of the folkloric element in EUROPIANA
 The creation of the Albanian Wikipedia, through which the essential information
concerning the cultural heritage will be spread
 Copyright of the materials in licenses that promote their easy distribution online by
respecting the creator’s rights. Such licenses are Creative Commons
 Creation of the online area for the bards and the wide community
5. The enrichment of the UNESCO Representative List
We are working to create an National Inventory of I.C.H. and to enrich the
Representative list of UNESCO

6. INSTITUTIONS AND COMMITTEES RESPONSIBLE
FOR THE SAFEGUARDING OF INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE
 Ministry of Culture
 National Centre for Folkloric Activities
 National Committee of Intangible Heritage
 Institute of Anthropology and Study of Arts
 The Centre for Albanian Studies
 National Centre for the Inventory of Cultural Properties

7. ACTIVITIES:
NATIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL:
This is the most important activity held in the fortress of Gjirokastër once in four years. All
Albanian Folkloric groups attend the event along with other groups of Albanians from Kosovo,
Montenegro, Macedonia, Italy, United States, Greece, Croatia, etc. In the last Festival 18 groups
attended with about 1000 artists.

8. NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF POPULAR INSTRUMENTS
This is a very important activity, in terms of the typology of the event as well as the access of
the public. This genre includes the south, the east and south west of Albania, especially the music of
cities such as: Korce, Vlore, Pogradec, Përmet, Berat, Leskovik, etc. Moreover, the event is attended
also by single groups which do not belong to the above mentioned areas, but practice this genre,
such as Lela Family in Tirana.

9. FESTIVAL OF BARDS AND POPULAR INSTRUMENTALISTS/PLAYERS
The Festival of Bards and Popular Players is the only event which is dedicated to playing
specific instruments (folk instruments with string and bow, chordophone instruments with three
strings), instruments used in the North of the country. It is a special activity intended for the
preservation and inheritance of the coming generations. The first activity was held in 1995 in Lezhe
city. It was welcomed by the public and that is why it is now one of the national activities.

10. THE NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF POPULAR SONG IN ELBASAN
The festival is considered a tribute to the popular song which intertwines harmonically
the new and modern elements of interpretations with the traditional ones, which give to the latter
the freshness and dynamism of modern times. The festival promotes the best values of this
genre, by selecting the best pieces performed by groups of the cities as: Korce, Vlore, Tirana,
Durres, etc.

11. THE NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF ISO POLIPHONY
This festival is held each year in the costal city of Vlore and represents one of the most powerful
performance of the polyphonic song, as one of the most original and authentic musical creativity of the Albanian
people. It aims to promote the best values and achievements of the genre. The festival consists of the best
pieces selected by the jury. The event is attended by groups from the cities of Korce, Gjirokastër, Sarande, Vlore,
Tepelene, Permet, as well as groups from the north of the country who sing with two or three voices. Groups from
Greece, Macedonia etc. participate in the festival. .

12. THE NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF POPULAR SONG AND DANCE
The festival was organized for the first time in 2006. The event aims to promote the best
elements of traditional popular dance. The best pieces selected carefully are performed in the
festival, which is also a stage for a great variety of traditional clothes.

13. NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF POPULAR INSTRUMENTS
The festival is a cultural celebration of popular instruments. The festival has been
organized since 2002 in the fortress of Gjirokastër city. This festival is a multicultural activity which
consists of many events such as exhibitions, promotion of new books, seminars, etc. The activity
aims to promote cultural tourism.

14. THE NATIONAL MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL PERMET
The activity is the only event of the ethnic, cultural and linguistic minorities held in Albania
under the auspices of CIOFF, the International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and
Folk Arts, of which our country is a member. The festival is held in the city of Permet which stands
out for its cultural diversity due to the coexistence of different ethnicities, as well as being the
birthplace of distinguished singers such as Laver Bariu, Mentor Xhemali, Remzi Lela, etc. Some
other activities, such as seminars, promotions of books and exhibitions are also held during the
festival, which also aims to promote cultural tourism.

15. FOLK FESTIVAL “DARDAN SOFRA”
This event aims to preserve and promote the folk traditions of North Albanian regions, as
well as those of Kosovo, which together form part of what is geographically known as the Dukagjin
Plain. This event is organized every year, and aims to promote the values of the region.
FESTIVAL “DIBRA SOFRA”
Organized for the first time in 1994, this festival has already become a tradition and
represents a special performance of song, humoristic dance, and allegory. The festival unites all
the Albanian performers wherever they come from, and represents an original meeting in its kind,
which aims to promote the best values of the Albanian folk tradition. The festival represents a
precious contribution to the preservation of this tradition, according to the specialists and public
who attend. This is the reason why requests to participate in the event are gradually increasing.
The celebrations performed in the city are part of the success. The number of participants is 180.
The groups compete with each other during the first two nights, while the winners are proclaimed
the third night. Some exhibitions of paintings are also organized during the festival along with
visits to the cultural monuments of the region.

16. THANK YOU!