‘Oda Dibrane’ – national festival of allegorical music and dance

TIRANA, Nov. 5- The 13th edition of the national music, dance and humor festival, ‘ODA DIBRANE,’ was held in two night in the city of Peshkopia, attracting several groups from all over the region, including Vlora, Gramshi, Mirdita, Montenegro, Kosova and Macedonia. The goal of this festival is to bring pure popular culture, unaffected by foreign influences, and showcase new allegorical and humorous songs and dances. It also employs most musical instruments which are characteristic of the country and generate beautiful sounds. The festival was opened at the cultural center of Peshkopia. Then groups from Albanian-inhabited lands took the stage, offering artistic cultural performances such as “Rexhep Mulliqi” from Presheva, “Bllaca” from Tetovo, “Rilindja” from Tetovo, Ensemble “Rugova” from Peja, Ensemble “Polifonik” G쳮ec Vlor묠Cultural center Gramsh, Ensemble of Zhuri, Kosov묠Folklore Group of Bulqiza, Krraba and Tirana, Skopje, Gjakova, and more. The audience included special guests such as Albanian President, Bamir Topi, Foreign Affairs Minister Lulzim Basha, the Ambassador of Netherlands, Sweder van Voorst tot Voorst, and other dignitaries. The competition of the participants was judged by a jury or artists led by deputy minister of culture, Zana Turku and featuring well-known opera singer Kastriot Tusha and dancer Liljana Cingu. First prize was awarded to the Artistic Cultural Center of Zhuri from Kosovo, the second prize to the ensemble “Bllaca” of Skopje, while the third prize went to Folklore Ensemble of Gramsh. The characteristic “Oda Dibrane” prize was awarded to the Cultural Center of Peshkopia. The municipality and this center awarded President Topi with the title “Honor of Oda Dibrane”. On this occasion, the President told the audience that the event has taken a national dimension spreading out and cherishing the traditional values of hospitality, generosity and patriotism. “Oda Dibrane, similar to the Dibra mountains, is a special institution, uniting Albanian hearts” Topi said. The festival has been going on for thirteen years and more than 180 art and culture centers from all over the country and outside the borders have taken part in it. It has the potential to be transformed into a regional festival of allegorical and humorous music. The festival is supported by the Culture Ministry and local businesses. This year, however, one of the main sponsors was also the Embassy of the Netherlands.