Local festivals are an important element of intangible cultural heritage and also attractive for the destinations that host them. There are numerous examples of successful festival organization both worldwide and in Albania, attracting many visitors. The successful organization of these events brings visitors to the area, promotes it, and opens up avenues for tourism development, resulting in significant benefits for the local community and authorities. Moreover, the organization of these events also influences the residents’ self-esteem regarding the values of their cultural heritage, revitalizes the social and cultural life of the area, and contributes to reducing the phenomenon of emigration.
According to official data from the Municipality of Vau i Dejës (the municipality’s budget for 2023), the municipality currently partially or fully supports the following activities:
- Opening of the tourist season (during May or the second half of April)
- Mother Teresa Day (September 5th)
- Year-end concert (between December 26th and 30th)
Other actors in the region periodically or occasionally organize various activities based on local traditions. It is recommended that the Municipality of Vau i Dejës assess the possibility of supporting these activities, depending on its capabilities, while also evaluating and prioritizing these activities based on their potential impact on tourism development in the area.
- Living Bethlehem (between December 20th and 31st)
Every year-end, the Living Bethlehem event is organized in the village of Hajmel, Administrative Unit of Hajmel, Municipality of Vau i Dejës. It is the only event of its kind organized at a national level and one of the few of its magnitude in the region. With broad community participation and around 250 actors from the community, residents of the area are organized under the guidance of the parishes of St. Paul and St. Peter to reenact the Nativity of Jesus. This well-established tradition, organized since 2018, provides an excellent opportunity to attract visitors, especially in the religious tourism segment but not limited to it.
This unique religious and cultural event in Albania brings together 250 actors and participants from the villages of Hajmel, Dheu i Lehtë, Pistull, Paçram, and Nënshat, turning Hajmel into the epicenter of the festive atmosphere at the end of the year.
- Carnivals (end of February to beginning of March)
- Flower Day (May 6th)
- Komani Archeo Fest (first half of June)
- Environmental Days (November 20th)
- Chestnut Festival in Shllak (last weekend of October or first weekend of November)
- Zadrima Wedding (last week of September or first week of October
- Shala River Festival (last week of May or first week of June)
In addition to the above-mentioned festivals, residents of various areas within the municipality of Vau i Dejës also celebrate religious festivals related to Catholic saints. Their revival would provide a good opportunity to attract visitors, as cooperation between the community and the Catholic Church is easier.
Below are the local religious festivals of the Diocese of Pult, some of which are in the territory of Vau i Dejës.
- Dushman: St. John the Baptist on June 24th
- Vau i Dejës: St. Nicholas on December 6th
- Toplanë: St. Gjergj on April 22nd
