Observations from the Nationwide Albanian Folk Festival Rapsha 2017, Tuz, Monenegro (18-20 August)

Abstract

On August 18-20, 2017, the Albanian Folk Festival was held in Rapsha of Tuzi.
The author was invited to the post of a jury member. The festival was attended by 22 Albanian folk groups, associations or troops representing seven countries: Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Italy, Serbia and the USA.
According to the Festival Director, each troop had to perform for 15 minutes live rather than by play-back (CD playing).
The program had to be as sourceful, echoing mainly local authenticity. Even the folk costumes were the most original.
This Festival marked its 5th edition. As by the program, the seven participating troops performing the first evening gathered in Tuz for the Troops Kick-off Parade.
In the first evening (August 18, 2017), the competing performers were SHKA “Rapsha”, Drume-Hot and the “Shota” National Ensemble, Prishtina – Kosovo. The following troops followed suit: “Krahu i Shqiponjës Taip Medani”, Vlora –Albania; SHKA “Sali Mani” Malësia e Madhe, Albania; “Burimet e Sharrit”, Tetovo – Macedonia; SHKA “Maja e karafilit”, Plavë-Guci, Montenegro; SHKA “Gryka e Kaçanikut”, Kaçanik – Kosovo. In the second evening, the competing troops were SHKA “Dedë Gjon Luli”, Traboin – Hot, Montenegro; “Shkëmbi” dhe “Shkëndija” from the Arbëresh provinces of Akuaformoza and San Benedeto Ullanova, Italy; the polyphonic troop “Lunxhëria”, Lunxhëri –Albania; the ethnocultural ensemble “Katerina Josipi”, Zym – Prizren, Kosovo; the cultural association “Skampa”, Elbasan –Albania; “Gurra e Kurbinit”, Laç – Albania; SHKA “Zëri i Luginës”, Bujanoc, Lugina e Preshevës – Serbia.
In the second evening, the competing troops were: SHKA “Besa”, Triesh, Malësi e Madhe – Montenegro; “Gjergj Kastrioti – Skënderbeu”, Detroit – Michigan, USA; folk troop “Mati”, Mat – Albania; SHKA “Malësori”, Gjonaj – Prizren, Kosovo; the polyphonic troop “Bilbilat e Kolonjës”, Gjirokastra – Albania; SHKA “Jahi Hasani”, Çegran – Gostivar, Macedonia; the native troop “Rugova”, Rugovë – Peja, Kosovo; the folk troop “Bashkimi kombëtar”, New York– USA.
In conclusion, the jury awarded the prizes to the three best troops. The author defined this event as a nationwide festival with a huge background. Based on its organization, this festival can be considered an international one similar to the ones I have attended for decades, in: Germany, Turkey, Italy, Romania, Hungary, Greece, Macedonia, Montenegro, France, Spain and recently in Slovenia.