The capital of Summer Days, Elbasan woke up early this Friday to celebrate March 14, the traditional holiday of the departure of winter and the arrival of spring. Unlike other times, this celebration does not end on March 14 but will continue for two more days. In a connection with “Dita Jonë”, the mayor of Elbasan, Gledian Llatja, gave details on the activities that will take place today and until Sunday, from the ballokum fair to festivals and
"Last night we celebrated for a long time. The whole day yesterday was full of activities to conclude with the fireworks concert at 12:00. The school parade, or carnival festival, has begun, where schools compete with each other. At 11:00 we start a concert with Elita 5 and continue with a series of activities until late afternoon, to conclude with the "Defilena" where 80 artistic troupes from all Albanian regions in traditional folk costumes will be present at this fantastic festival. Unlike other times, it does not close on May 14, tomorrow we will have Retro and a series of activities in the afternoon. On Sunday we continue with the cycling tour of Albania and a series of other activities. We have tradition and cuisine in Elbasan. In the "Aqif Pasha" flower garden we have the ballokume fair. "This time we have made sure that all those who do not receive the ballokumen from a family can see for themselves at the Elbasan confectioneries that have made a mixture of the formula," Llatja said on A2 CNN.
Summer Day is a holiday of ancient origin. The celebrations are held in honor of the beautiful Albanian nature and the vegetation that comes to life on this date. This holiday has now become a national holiday.
The hallmark of this celebration is the cooking of ballokum. While in some other places, purifying fires were lit on Midsummer's Day to give strength to the sun in the yard and gardens.
Although this day continues to be preserved and celebrated strongly in the ancient city of Elbasan, it is a holiday for all Albanians.
On March 13, people take a small bundle of fresh grass along with the roots and soil, so that they can have it at home on the morning of March 14. This ancient custom is preserved and celebrated not only in Elbasan, but also in other places. Summer Day was the day of the beginning of the year according to the very ancient Albanian calendar, a day that was celebrated many centuries before the birth of Christianity. It was celebrated on March 1 of the Julian calendar, the first day of the new year (according to the Gregorian calendar, "March 14"). It was a pan-Albanian holiday, celebrated both in the north and in the south, but with different nuances, according to the regions.
(A2 Televizion)
A2 CNN Livestream
MUND TE LEXONI GJITHASHTU
