Masks, music and tradition/ Korça opens the tourist season with Carnival

2026-06-07 13:19:00, Kulturë CNA

Korça has transformed this weekend into the capital of celebration and colors with the development of the newest edition of the International Carnival Festival. Hundreds of citizens and tourists have filled the city's streets to watch the spectacular parade of masks, artistic costumes and performances by participating troupes from Albania and various European countries.

The festive atmosphere began in the morning hours with the parade of participating groups through the main streets of the city, while the party continued on the pedestrian zone of Korça where colorful characters attracted the attention of adults and children.

Masks, music and tradition/ Korça opens the tourist season with Carnival

The Director of Culture, Blerta Belliu, said that this edition is richer than previous years, with the participation of seven international troupes from Romania, Serbia, Greece, Italy and Poland, turning the city into a large artistic and cultural stage.

"The Korça Carnival comes in an increasingly beautiful edition. We have seven troupes that have come to us from Romania, Serbia, Greece, Italy, Poland. An international festival that brings the whole spirit not only of Korça, but also abroad. We have groups that continue to preserve the tradition of the Korça carnival, but we also have new groups this year. We have done numerous parades. We paraded in the morning with foreign groups, we continue on the main boulevard, then on the pedestrian street and culminate with a carnival party. Korça like never before", said Belliu.

Among the characters that attracted attention was the personification of the winter season by the troupe of the "Andon Zako Çajupi" Theater. Dressed in a special costume and artistic mask, she shows that Carnival remains one of the most beloved holidays for the city.

Masks, music and tradition/ Korça opens the tourist season with Carnival

"I come from the 'Andon Zako Çajupi' Theater troupe in Korça and I represent winter. I am wearing a wedding dress and the mask made by Ilda Pepi represents the winter season. It is my first time with the theater troupe, but it is not my first time at Carnival. I have also danced with different characters before. It is very beautiful, especially when children come and want photos with you. Of course, Ilda has given us all the space to show off and represent our outfits, so it is something very beautiful and I am very happy that our city gives such importance to a beautiful celebration for us, but maybe for adults too," said the participant.

The international character of the Carnival was also reflected by the participation of foreign groups. The representative of the Romanian troupe from Petro?ani expressed her excitement for the first participation in Albania, emphasizing that their characters represent the world of fairy tales and Romanian folklore.

Masks, music and tradition/ Korça opens the tourist season with Carnival

"It's our first time in Albania. We are a Romanian team from Petro?ani and we represent characters from Romanian fairy tales. Kings, queens, wizards, peasants, animals, Romanian folklore. Art and culture bring people together," she said.

Meanwhile, one of the participants from Serbia, who is participating for the third time in the Korça Carnival, showed the symbolism of their costumes, inspired by freedom and the triumph of good over evil.

"We are like people, we express emotions and we are showing that people are actually good. We are the birds and we are free, just like a bird. I am something like the leader, while the ones in black represent something bad, And then, the birds in blue and white come and save them. So, I am the birds, free. No, I am here for the third time. It is beautiful, I like this carnival. They look happy and everyone is in the carnival atmosphere, so we are very happy too," the participant said.

With music, dance, masks and artistic performances, the Korça Carnival continues to remain one of the most important cultural events in the country, attracting thousands of visitors each year and promoting the city as a unique tourist and cultural destination. /CNA