VLORA. Aug.1- The Mediterranean folk music and dance festival, “Vlora 2007,” kicked off on July 31st and will continue August 5th bringing groups from all over the region, including Macedonia, Israel, Egypt, Montenegro, Kosova, Greece, Turkey, Italy as well as the National Ensemble, “Tirana,” which will represent Albania. The head of the Cultural Center of Vlora has confirmed that all preparations are complete and the city has welcomed the musical groups which will entertain audiences for one week.
The festival will primarily promote the tourism potential of Vlora, exposing its natural, artistic, historical and cultural reservoir of wealth.
Displaying folklore and traditions is considered an effective means to bring people together and overcome separations while fostering interethnic respect and tolerance. The symbol of this festival reflects the values it strives to promote: a sailing ship depicts the communication and cultural exchange that the festival targets.
Three open air squares in the city have been selected as sites for the concerts as well as two important archeological sites in Oriku and Apolonia (Fier).
