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Artisans of Vau i Dejës/ The tradition that became an economic force for women

2026-01-27 22:44:00, Qyteti im CNA

Handicrafts, heritage and passion are the foundations on which Meliha's workshop in Vau e Dejës was built, a story that began in childhood and has today become an important handicraft center for the area. Raised with handicraft lessons from her mother and grandmother, Melihaja has inherited this craft as part of her family identity.

After her marriage in 1991, the need to help her family and husband pushed her to take her first steps towards entrepreneurship, starting with quilts, during a difficult period for the country. Over the years, the work expanded and a small shop became a meeting point for women in the area, who began to work together. In 2020, this initiative took the form of a large craft center, where dozens of traditional crafts are produced today.

"My beginnings were when I was little. We grew up with the work of learning needlework from my mother and grandmother. After I got married, the idea came to help my husband with the income and we started with quilts at that time, I'm talking about 1991 here. After a few years, we managed to open a small shop and there we started gathering women from the area. In the 2020s, we managed to have this large center. A job that was inherited from my mother and then the need to help the family. The journey has been difficult because I also have to raise children, but when you do it with passion, you always succeed," said Meliha Zyberaj.

In Meliha's workshop you will find embroidery, loom work, carpets, recycled work, as well as custom-made folk costumes. Traditional costumes from Mirdita and Zadrima are among the most sought-after, while recently there has been a significant increase in interest in traditional clothing and tablecloths.

Today, about five women work at the center, while others work from home with a loom, enabling women with children or older women to be part of the process. In total, about 17–18 women benefit from this workshop, which has become a sustainable source of livelihood for many families.

"We have everything, we have embroidery, looms, carpets, recycled works. We have folk costumes that we make to order, vests, clothes that we rent for occasions. Costumes from Mirdita and Zadrima, because this area requires these the most. Recently, attention has turned to traditional clothing, both for clothing and for tablecloths. Handicrafts are of interest, especially crocheted works. There are 5 women in the center, and we have 5 others who work from their homes with looms. They are older women, some with children and work from home. In total, we are about 17-18 women! The most difficult works are the loom covers because they start from the weaving, the silk shawl also because there are very thin threads."

Three years ago, the workshop took another important step by cultivating silk cocoons. Initially, in a modest way, but later with institutional support, about 200 mani roots were planted. Currently, silk is produced to cover the workshop's internal needs, while the goal is to expand the market to Kosovo and Montenegro in the coming years, where the demand for silk scarves is growing.

"We have been cultivating silkworms for 3 years. We started with a small amount at first, but after receiving support from the Ministry of Entrepreneurship, we planted about 200 manioc seedlings. We extracted silk to cover the needs of the workshop but not for the wider market. We hope to enter Kosovo and Montenegro in the next 2 years. There is demand especially for silk scarves."

Participation in fairs has been another pillar of success. The workshop has not missed any fair, which has served as a connecting bridge with clients, hotels and restaurants, mainly for tablecloth orders. According to Meliha, fairs should be organized regularly, as they are spaces where artisans get to know each other, create contacts and strengthen cooperation between them.

"We haven't left a fair without participating, they have helped us a lot. We have orders from hotels, restaurants, mainly for tablecloths. Fairs are effective and should be organized at least 2-3 times a year. For crafts to come together. Because at fairs we get to know each other, we meet people, we create contacts. The Shkodra area has women who work a lot in crafts."

Special attention is also paid to the younger generation. Through cooperation with vocational schools in Shkodra and Lezha, courses and training are organized to inherit the craft. Although interest exists, support for young people remains essential to increase motivation and keep this tradition alive.

"I have dealt with the vocational schools of both Shkodra and Lezha. This is with the aim of passing on the craft. We conduct courses and trainings with the aim of passing it on to the new generation. There is interest, but not to the point that we would like. But young people also need to be supported to have more willpower.."

The history of Meliha's workshop is proof that passion, perseverance and joint work can turn tradition into economic and social development, empowering women and preserving the cultural identity of the Vau i Dejës area./ CNA