TIRANA, May 6 – The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport and the Albanian-American Development Foundation signed a cooperation agreement. The agreement advances the preparation of a second package of nomination files for UNESCO.
The process targets the Intangible Cultural Heritage List and the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices of UNESCO.
The four elements include “Dollia”, the traditional Albanian hospitality ritual, the “Qeleshe”, a traditional white wool headgear, the Gjirokastër Folk Festival, and “Moti i Madh”.
The ministry said these traditions hold strong cultural value for Albanian identity. It also described the initiative as an important step for Albania’s presence in UNESCO. In addition, it highlighted the international visibility of intangible heritage.
The Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF) supports cultural and development projects in Albania. The organisation will finance the process with 350,000 United States dollars. The funding will cover research and dossier preparation. It will also support national and international experts.
The cooperation builds on earlier results. Those results included the inclusion of four Albanian elements in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List: Xhubleta, Transhumance, the Tropoja Dance, and the Craftsmanship of the Lahuta.
The new package includes elements already listed in the national inventory of intangible heritage. Authorities said these elements meet UNESCO technical requirements.
“Dollia” will go to the Representative List. It reflects Albanian hospitality traditions.
The “Qeleshe” will go to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. It represents a traditional wool headgear.
The Gjirokastër National Folk Festival will go to the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices. It represents long-standing cultural practice.
“Moti i Madh” will go to the Representative List as a multinational nomination with Italy. It represents a spring ritual tradition.
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