"Ahengu Shkodran"/ Shkodra folk song, fills the city's pedestrian zone

2025-09-30 11:57:00, Kulturë CNA

"Ahengu Shkodran"/ Shkodra folk song, fills the city's pedestrian

For the 13th year in a row, the “Ahengu Shkodran” was held in Shkodër with some of the selected folk songs sung at weddings, celebrations and Shkodër courtyards. For the first time, this activity on the day of cultural heritage came to the pedestrian area in the city center, bringing together aheng lovers as well as passers-by and tourists. The artistic director of “Ahengu Shkodran”, Bardhyl Hysa, says that there is an interest in keeping this ancient tradition alive with old folk songs.

"Ahengu Shkodran"/ Shkodra folk song, fills the city's pedestrian

" I am pleased that the Shkodran Party is of interest every year. A novelty was the organization this year here in the center, in the city's pedestrian area. We also had the inclusion of young voices and children to learn and inherit the Shkodra song. Shkodra guarantees new talents in this field as well and it is not easy for us to keep the Shkodra song pure with new talents in today's new dimensions. With everyone's work, we held this concert in the center of Shkodra and with the diverse voices and songs, I believe that the audience was also pleased" , said Bardhyl Hysa.

"Ahengu Shkodran"/ Shkodra folk song, fills the city's pedestrian

The orchestra's leader, maestro Ilir Zogaj, said that Ahengu songs are not being very present at Shkodra weddings, so educating the younger generation is more than necessary.

"It is a worthy continuation that has become a tradition. Organizing it in the city center was worth it even though there was a possibility of a wider audience. We definitely had young elements and children who sang the Shkodra song and this is a continuation of a good tradition that we have. I see it in the eyes of the spectators who love this activity very much. This year we have made a slightly different selection, not those songs that are known and have become a tradition and I do not like to say that only a small part of them are being sung and we expanded it a little more because there are many Shkodra songs. What could be more beautiful than singing the songs of your country and this tradition to return."

"Ahengu Shkodran"/ Shkodra folk song, fills the city's pedestrian

Albana Fani is one of the singers who performed and came from America for "Ahengun Shkodran", music that she misses in her life outside Albania:

" Every time I come to Shkodra it is a special emotion and it is a pleasure for me to be invited to be part of the Shkodran Party. I grew up with the Shkodran song, we sang it in the yards, in the Pioneer House, in the Youth Club and everywhere and this continuity is a very beautiful thing. I hope that Shkodra will keep these songs alive together with the young talents that are there. I have a lot of hope for Shkodra, for art, for beauty because we must always move it forward. In America where I live, I miss these songs a lot and there I have the pleasure when I get in the car and put them on. For me, the song is life and I am glad that I came and was a part of it . "

Part of the “Shkodran Party” this year were some of the best young singers. For the first time, the children of the “Kujtim Alija” cultural center participated together with the “Pjetër Gaci” center, bringing a variety of voices and generations to the 13th edition, while a tribute was also held for singer Agim Molla, the last of the pure Shkodran Party who passed away a few days ago./ CNA