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"Homeland above all"/ The concert that brought together artists and the public in Pogradec

2026-07-17 15:31:00, Qyteti im CNA

In front of hundreds of citizens and tourists, the concert "Homeland Above All" took place in Pogradec's "Odeon" square, an artistic activity that brought to the stage the most popular songs of the Albanian tradition from all regions. Renowned artists performed their repertoire in a festive atmosphere, conveying messages for the preservation of the Albanian national identity, culture and music.

The artist from Struga, Selami Kolonja, said that the concert in Pogradec was a special experience, while praising the hospitality of the audience and the organization of the Pogradec Municipality. He emphasized that after the concert held the night before in Struga, the Pogradec audience also received the repertoire that included songs from the south to the north of Albania with great love. According to him, Albanian music should continue to be heard in all areas where Albanians live.

"Homeland above all"/ The concert that brought together artists and

"It was an extraordinary pleasure to perform tonight in such a wonderful atmosphere in Pogradec, home to Lasgush and Mitrush Kutel, two great poets and writers. It was an extraordinary pleasure and I take this moment and opportunity to thank the municipality for the invitation it extended to us, for the opportunity it gave us to realize this concert. Last night we performed in Struga, we received a different kind of love, and tonight we received a different kind of love. We selected a multitude of songs from the south to the north and it was noticed by the Pogradec audience and all those guests and invitees, tourists who were there, that we received that love and gave a lot of love. So let the beautiful Albanian song be heard in all our squares, wherever Albanians live."

"Homeland above all"/ The concert that brought together artists and

Tenor Kastriot Tusha said that the concert is part of an artistic tour with songs from all Albanian regions, while the finale with the song "Under an Undivided Flag" carries a special symbolism. He praised the Pogradec audience for their respect for the artists and thanked the organizers for the invitation, recalling that the concert held the night before in Struga was also received with the same enthusiasm.

"It is a continuation of the concerts with this beautiful program from Albania. Songs from the north, the south, Central Albania, but also the beginning with the songs almost and especially the finale with the song 'Under an Undivided Flag'. It is a pleasure to come to Pogradec. I thank you very much for making us part of the event, of the summer joy. I see that the audience is wonderful as always, knows how to welcome and respect the artists. A thank you to the organizers, the mayor and we hope that we are in continuation of the concert that I believe the audience will remain satisfied. Last night we were in Struga and with a festive atmosphere, many immigrants had come like tonight here, in Struga Square, on the banks of the Drini, with a wonderful reception and applause."

Singer Enkelejda Arifi said that she was impressed by the nature, hospitality and atmosphere created by the audience in Pogradec. She emphasized that the artistic group represents different Albanian regions and aims to promote culture, traditions and folk music in every place where it performs. After Pogradec, the artists will continue the tour with concerts in Gjilan and then in Dibër e Madhe.

"Homeland above all"/ The concert that brought together artists and

"I felt very comfortable. The first thing about the work was the beautiful nature, the hospitality, the interest of the citizens. Of course, during the performance there was a lot of applause, but there was also a lot of dancing and people were very happy. Yes, that is, our group itself is formed like that. That is, it has a geographical, historical representation of all of Albania. I think we try to convey the music, culture and traditions of our regions wherever we go. The next stop will be Gjilan in Kosovo, and then we will be in Dibër e Madhe."

Singer Hysni Alushi said that the large participation of young people and the applause of the audience were the most beautiful reward for the artists. He revealed that he had performed a song specially orchestrated in the Pogradec style, as a tribute to the city. In the end, Alushi conveyed a message about preserving tradition, national identity and Albanian song, describing it as a treasure that should be inherited from generation to generation.

"Homeland above all"/ The concert that brought together artists and

"Although sports influenced it, I saw tonight that there were many young people and an extraordinary, very beautiful, very warm participation. We did not lack applause, it was the most beautiful gift for us. Yes, I have orchestrated a song in the style of Pogradec and I had the pleasure of singing it today in Pogradec. I made it especially for this area. We are in season, we come from last night when we were in Struga, and there was a magnificent concert there, a very, very warm, very beautiful and pleasant environment. We were from the other side of the lake and we came to this side of the lake, in fact, the two wonderful cities. Dear Albanian brothers and sisters, I wish you not to forget the tradition, to preserve our Albanianness, to preserve our beautiful Albanian songs. They are truly very beautiful."

The concert "Homeland Above All" gathered citizens, vacationers and tourists at "Odeon" Square, who accompanied the artists' performances with applause and songs. The evening turned into a celebration of Albanian music, conveying the message of unity through art and tradition, in one of the most frequented destinations of the summer season./ CNA