This experience is perfect for those who want to reconnect with their roots and sing and dance their way through the night
For many diaspora Albanians, Albania and Kosovo beckon in the summertime, with promises of reconnecting with family, friends and the tastes and smells of home.
But for those Albanians living outside of our home countries – especially those raising children whose only connection to their birthright is summer visits and family stories – a struggle remains to reconnect with our heritage.
The hospitality of an Albanian wedding; the savory taste of fresh-out-of-the-oven fergese; wearing traditional Albanian clothes that remind us of our roots in the sky-scraping mountains of the north or the coastal villages of Çamëria.
Albania has undoubtedly changed since the fall of the regime, and as the country opens up to the outside world and more and more Albanians leave the country for opportunities abroad, there’s a tangible sense of losing the small and not-so-small aspects of our culture that make us Albanian.
A new venue in Tirana is helping fill this gap in the cultural heritage and preservation scene: “Albanian Night”, the country’s first-ever ethnocultural center and entertainment venue.
A mix of new and old, “Albanian Night” opened its doors in December with some support from the Albanian government and the European Union. Its goal is to teach visitors all about Albanian culture through an immersive, fun and, above all else, authentic evening show that takes people back to the Albanian village through a recreated Albanian wedding.
This experience is perfect for those who want to reconnect with their roots and sing and dance their way through the night. Professional staff help guests change into traditional clothes from the different regions of Albania and Kosovo, and dancers and musicians throughout the evening immerse participants in a traditional Albanian wedding – all in the center of Tirana, steps away from “Skanderbeg Square”.
For members of the Albanian diaspora, especially second- and third-generation Albanians raised abroad, cultural transmission is not always easy. Language barriers, changing traditions, and distance from daily Albanian life can create a sense of disconnection. “Albanian Night” helps close that gap by offering an experience that’s not just entertaining but educational and deeply emotional – a powerful way to pass down identity, values, and traditions to the next generation in a format they can genuinely connect with.
Night after night, guests leave the show with a renewed sense of pride and belonging. Many diaspora Albanians express that it’s the first time they’ve truly felt what it means to be Albanian, and they often leave laughing, crying and singing the songs their grandparents used to hum.
To make this connection even stronger, the show includes multilingual narration and explanations, offered in both Albanian and English. During the show, participants learn all about the Kanun of Leke, the traditions of northern Albania and how Albanian weddings used to be performed.
The bilingual translation and interactive nature of the show help families bridge generational gaps – grandparents, parents, and children can all follow along and enjoy together. It’s a rare opportunity where everyone feels included, and where culture isn’t something abstract or distant, but something to wear, sing, dance and proudly take part in.
Traditional costumes are on display at this massive, 2,500 square meter cultural center, which also hosts private events, seminars and educational programs throughout the year. Three gorgeous xhubleta dresses from the Dukagjin region can be found in the center’s bottom floor, as well as copies of original photos from the Marubi Museum of Shkoder, which document life in early 1900’s Albania.
“Albanian Night” is also home to Albanian Bazaar, the largest artisanal hall in the Balkans; this magical marketplace boasts more than 10,000 products created by over 600 local and diaspora Albanian artisans.
“We wanted to create something that would help the local artisanal economy, which has been decimated by cheap imports from Turkey and China,” says Anisa Lloja, the Artisanal Hall Manager. “The Bazaar is where you can find unique, handmade souvenirs and items whose purchase directly supports local artisans instead of sweatshops overseas.”
Each item here is crafted with precision and care, helping everyone from elderly basket weavers in Kruja to filigree experts in Shkodër support themselves while preserving Albania’s traditional craftsmanship.
“”Albanian Night” has really helped me ramp up my business,” says Elda Gjikondi of Tirana, whose beautiful jewelry, Gur Element, is on display at the market. “It’s been a great way for me to connect with visitors at the center and has helped me reach a wider audience, too.”
Visiting “Albanian Night” and purchasing gifts to take back home at its Artisanal Hall is thus a great way to support local Albanian artists. Each purchase done here is an investment in Albania’s cultural and economic future, helping craftsmen pass their traditions along to the next generation.
Initially conceived as an ethnocultural guesthouse in Valbona, the founders of “Albanian Night” decided that they could have a greater impact by sharing Albanian culture in the capital.
“Albanian Night” has since become a cultural center, museum and entertainment venue that celebrates the best of Albanian culture, leaving visitors dazzled at the beautiful renditions of k’cimi i Tropojes and Iso-Polyphonic folk singing, two of the UNESCO World Heritage Items participants in the show get to experience.
“We wanted something that would offer tourists more than just communism when they visited Albania, and we wanted to help the diaspora, which comes back to Albania so often, a place where they could reconnect with their roots and even teach their friends about Albanian culture,” says Armando Muca, the Executive Director of “Albanian Night”.
A place where culture is both preserved and reimagined, Albanian Night is open every day and is welcoming visitors from all over the world. Everyone who walks in to this magical venue in the heart of Tirana comes as a guest but leaves feeling more Albanian than ever before.
