FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Celebrations are taking place across the country today on the occasion of Summer Day, one of the most popular traditional holidays in Albania.
Since ancient times, the symbolic center of this celebration has been the city of Elbasan. Known as the day that marks the departure of winter and the arrival of the warm season, Summer Day has become a tradition over the years that is celebrated not only by the residents of Elbasan, but also in other cities of the country, especially in Tirana.
According to tradition, the origin of this holiday is linked to the shrine of the Fairy of Çermenika, built in the areas surrounding Elbasan. In local mythology, the Fairy was considered the goddess of hunting, forests and nature. Oral traditions indicate that she emerged from her shrine on March 14, symbolizing the arrival of spring and the revival of nature. Over the generations, this popular holiday has become one of the identifying symbols of the city of Elbasan, known for its cultural traditions.
Every year, many visitors from different parts of the country travel to Elbasan to celebrate this day and enjoy the traditional cuisine of the area. Among the most popular are ballokumet and revani, but also other foods such as turkey, walnuts and fig leaves. The latter are traditionally given to young children, who are the first to make congratulatory visits to the homes of relatives and neighbors.
According to the stories of the elderly, preparations for the holiday began the night before, when families gathered in their homes to celebrate together. At dawn on the day of the holiday, the elderly would open the door of the house to symbolize hospitality and generosity, fill the pitcher with fresh water and bring home a bundle of green grass. Meanwhile, the young people would take care of the trees in the yard, fertilizing the orange and olive trees.
The Summer Day lunch was a special moment for Elbasan families, who often spent this meal outdoors, also organizing folk games. In Elbasan and Peqin, the “summer night” is also celebrated, the night before March 14, which is accompanied by festive tables with meat, raki, turkey, ballokume and other sweets. On this day, citizens exchange wishes for health, long life and prosperity.
The ball, a symbol of the holiday
The Summer Day celebration is hard to imagine without ballokumen, the traditional dessert of Elbasan that is prepared especially for this day. This characteristic dish has become a symbol of the celebration and one of the most famous elements of the culinary tradition of the city, which is known in Albania for its history and contribution to education and culture.
Lini një Përgjigje