ITB Berlin’s Official Host Country this year boasts a rich tapestry of cultural heritage and culinary traditions that have been preserved and celebrated for centuries.
From traditional dairy products to sweet preserves, Albanian gastronomy is a fusion of flavours that tell the story of its people and landscapes.
Albania has taken significant steps to protect its culinary heritage through the Guaranteed Traditional Specialty (GTS) scheme. This certification ensures that certain traditional products maintain their authentic production methods and high quality.
One such product is Mishavina cheese, a distinctive cheese known for its unique flavour and traditional preparation methods. Another is Bedunica honey, celebrated for its purity and the specific flora from which the bees collect nectar, giving it a unique taste profile.
These certified products are not only culinary delights but also represent the rich agricultural traditions of Albania. They can be tasted in more than 270 agritourism enterprises scattered across the country.
Beyond food and gastronomy, Albania is deeply committed to preserving its cultural traditions. Alongside world renowned UNESCO heritage sites such as the city of Gjirokastër and the Roman park of Butrint, or the Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid Region, Albania boasts numerous cultural traditions recognised by UNESCO. A recent testament to this commitment is the inclusion of the traditional dance “K’cimi i Tropojës” in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
This dance is a festive performance that has maintained its vitality over centuries, serving as a powerful symbol of identity and unity. Its rhythmic movements, accompanied by traditional instruments, symbolise the energy and joy of the community.
Another protected cultural tradition is iso-polyphony, a unique form of traditional folk singing practiced mainly in southern Albania. This vocal tradition, characterised by multiple harmonic layers and intricate vocal interplay, is performed by groups of men or women. It holds deep cultural and social significance, often accompanying weddings, funerals, and other communal gatherings.
Another UNESCO-listed tradition is “xhubleta”, the distinctive bell-shaped woolen skirt worn by women in northern Albania. Traditionally handcrafted using intricate weaving techniques, the “xhubleta” serves not only as attire but also as a marker of social status and regional identity.
Albania’s preserved gastronomy and traditions offer a range of inspiring experiences and refreshing authenticity to travellers from all over the world, and visitors to ITB Berlin 2025 have the opportunity to get a taste for this hidden gem in the Balkans.
Hall 3.1 | Stand 105
Hall 4.1 | Stand 200
