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- Polyphonic singing (iso-polyphony)
The spine-tingling multipart singing from southern Albania — deep harmonies, call-and-response lines and voices woven together in ways you won’t hear elsewhere. It’s living oral history: raw, emotional and often performed by whole village ensembles who bring regional styles that have been passed down for generations. - Traditional costume parade and regional dress
A roaming, colorful show of embroidered jackets, aprons, silver coins, hats and belts that tell you where people come from at a glance. Photogenic and informative — ask the wearers about the symbols and you’ll get short stories about identity, dowries and local pride. - Castle performances at dusk (personal favorite)
Concerts staged against the stone walls of Gjirokastër Castle as the light
- Polyphonic singing (iso-polyphony)
The spine-tingling multipart singing from southern Albania — deep harmonies, call-and-response lines and voices woven together in ways you won’t hear elsewhere. It’s living oral history: raw, emotional and often performed by whole village ensembles who bring regional styles that have been passed down for generations. - Traditional costume parade and regional dress
A roaming, colorful show of embroidered jackets, aprons, silver coins, hats and belts that tell you where people come from at a glance. Photogenic and informative — ask the wearers about the symbols and you’ll get short stories about identity, dowries and local pride. - Castle performances at dusk (personal favorite)
Concerts staged against the stone walls of Gjirokastër Castle as the light goes soft — great acoustics, unbeatable views over the old town and a proper “this is Albania” atmosphere. Bring a light jacket; stay for the last act and the crowd’s energy when everyone’s cooled down from the day. - Crafts, instruments and hands-on workshops
Craftspeople and instrument makers set up stalls and demonstrations — weaving, filigree, woodwork and folk instrument tuning. You can often try a simple dance step or learn a rhythm. It’s where the festival stops being a show and starts being something you can actually do. - Street food, local hospitality and spontaneous nights
Food stalls, family-run cafes and communal tables serving mountain cheeses, pies and strong raki keep things honest and cheap. Evenings spill into the streets with impromptu dances and friendly invitations to join — the festival’s best moments are the unplanned ones.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.