Albania celebrates Summer Day with festivities in Elbasan

On March 14, Albanians celebrate Dita e Verës (Summer Day), a traditional festival marking the end of winter and the arrival of spring. The city of Elbasan is the heart of the celebrations, attracting thousands of visitors from across the country who gather to enjoy traditional food, festive events, and cultural activities organized by the local municipality.

Why is this important: Summer Day is a deeply rooted pagan festival that symbolizes renewal and the changing of seasons. In recent years, this day has become a major national celebration, centering in Elbasan, but also present throughout Albania. Key elements of the celebration include flowers, the “verore” bracelet—a colorful woven thread worn until the first sighting of swallows—and the traditional ballokume, a sweet corn-based treat closely associated with the holiday. A longstanding tradition is also to enjoy a meal outdoors, featuring seasonal vegetables and fresh produce, embracing the spirit of nature and community.

Context: This year’s celebrations introduced new features, including the first-ever Ballokume and Handicrafts Fair, showcasing the city’s cultural and artisanal heritage. The highlight of the festivities was a concert featuring well-known Albanian artists, keeping the energy high into the early hours of the morning.

Similar large-scale celebrations also took place in Tirana, where the capital embraced the festive spirit with various events and performances, reinforcing the importance of Summer Day as a national tradition.