One of the most precious treasures of cultural identity, the art of playing, singing and making the lute, has been officially included in UNESCO's world intangible cultural heritage list in urgent need of safeguarding.
The art of singing, playing and making the lute represents an essential element of identity in the Albanian rural space cultivated over centuries in the northern provinces and beyond from Malësia e Madhe, Dukagjini, Malësia e Gjakova, Rugova, Drenica, Plava and Gucia. The epic of the Kreshniks and the ballads of the northern Albanian tradition, in the hands of the lute player, have expressed for centuries the virtues of bravery, endurance, honor, loyalty and hospitality.
This success is the result of a long, research process led by the group of researchers: Vaso Tole, Shaban Sinani, Rigers Halili, Armanda Hysa and Susane Ogge.
Their work, along with community sessions and field research, finalized a dossier of the highest UNESCO standards, submitted in March 2024.
