On the evening of April 25, a special artistic ceremony was held at the Concert Hall of the National Theatre of Opera, Ballet, and Folk Ensemble, dedicated to the inclusion of “K’cimi i Tropojës” in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, an event officially registered in December 2024 in Asunción, Paraguay.

“K’cimi i Tropojës” lit up the stage of TKOBAP, presenting the audience with a vibrant rhapsody of movements: the rushing flow of the river, the rising moon over the mountains, the burst of a storm, and the enduring strength of the rocks. The performance offered a deep artistic experience of Tropoja’s spirit, embodied through the energetic and emotional movements of artists of all ages.

Thanks to the close collaboration between the Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation, the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet, the Folk Ensemble, and the group of virtuoso dancers from Tropoja, the evening turned into an unforgettable event, touching and inspiring the audience that had filled the hall to capacity.

Through this performance, not only was a festive moment presented, but also a powerful message about the importance of preserving and promoting cultural heritage for future generations.

The evening concluded with thunderous applause and deep emotion, as “K’cimi i Tropojës” shone brightly as an ambassador of the Albanian spirit on the national and international stage.

“K’cimi i Tropojës,” also known as “K’cim veni,” is a traditional dance of the inhabitants of the Tropoja region. It is performed in a variety of dances, including wedding dances, women’s dances, men’s dances, dances for newlyweds, girls’ dances, the eagle dance, and others. In some variations, it is accompanied by singing.

The fields of heritage where this element is classified include traditions and expressions, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive events, as well as knowledge and practices related to nature and the universe.

The inscription of “K’cimi i Tropojës” in UNESCO is the result of a long and dedicated process that began in 2017 with the request of Tropoja Municipality for national recognition of this element and culminated with the submission of the nomination file to UNESCO in 2023, leading to its final proclamation in 2024 as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The initiative was led by the association “K’cimi i Tropojës,” headed by Grand Master Mr. Skënder Haklaj, and was financially supported by the Albanian-American Development Fund (AADF).

Today, “K’cimi i Tropojës,” a living part of the cultural life of the people of Tropoja and the Highlands of Gjakova, proudly extends further into the Albanian Diaspora.