TIRANA, June 7 /ATA/ Korça kicks off the tourist season today with the International Carnival Festival, a vibrant parade full of colors and activities that create a unique atmosphere for all citizens. 

The Minister of Tourism and Environment, Mirela Kumbaro, shared footage today on social media showcasing the carnival atmosphere, inviting both domestic and foreign tourists. 

Famed for its iconic Carnivals, Korça has turned this tradition into one of the city’s most stunning festivities. The vibrant music and festive spirit offer a distinctive Korça welcome to visitors from both within the country and abroad. 

Korça Boulevard is taken over by groups from Korça along with guests from other cities and countries, who march proudly in a parade where every participant is represented by a distinct story. 

Carnivals began to be celebrated in Korça before the 1940s, a period during which cultural life in the city was vibrant. The Korça Carnivals gained great momentum following the establishment of cultural societies such as “RiniaKorçare” and others. During this time, the carnivals were accompanied by mandolins, guitars, and humorous songs. This celebration was interrupted around the 1960s and resumed after the 1990s. 

Korça is one of the first cities to revive the carnival tradition by establishing the Carnival Association in 1992 as part of the National Albanian Carnival Association. On April 10, 1994, Korça hosted the first International Carnival Festival in Albania. 

The following year, the second International Carnival Festival took place on an even larger scale. From that time until today, the Korça Carnival group has participated in numerous international festivals held across different European countries. 

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