The National Typological Folklore Festival is taking place in Libohova in southern of Albania, under the authority of the National Center of Traditional Activities.
The folklore event in its 15th edition this year, brings together traditional groups from many Albanian regions with the aim of highlighting the preserved culture of small towns, provinces with special ethnographic characteristics, costumes, traditional rites and their cultural wealth in general.
“We are part of the music festival that regions interpret in polyphonical songs, not only from the southwesters region of Labëria but also the town and villages that cultivate. We are not bringing a program that is exhaustive and already known by the public” – said Niko Kotherja, head of the Traditional Activities Center that organizes the event.
The groups are presented with some of the assets of folklore and isopolyphony of the South, the rare odes of the women choir of Selo. Guri Rokaj and his group from Mallakastra brought to the theme of the festival restored costumes and a more complete set in a number of art works as well as dedicated folk music.
“Today they will bring two epic songs and one humorous song for Avni Rustemi’s Libohova. Apart from the songs, we bring the costumes reflecting the character of each group as part of the identity of the Albanian lores” – said Guri Rokaj from the Mallakastra group.
The Himara group has been taking its the centuries-old coastal folklore for 40 years. Katina Beleri, host of the group, talks about the emotions conveyed by Himara’s polyphony.
“We are the polyphonic group of Himara that has been in this area for 40 years. In this festival I bring three songs, one by Neço Muka, another old song “Erdhi prilli shkriu bora” and the Amazon song ” – said Beleri, from the Himara group.
The festival, which takes place every two years, also highlights the diversity of folk traditions with an ethnic character. The selection of Libohova for such events is in function of the recognition of seemingly small administrative centers but which are e great source of folklore.
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