How to Celebrate Nowruz in Albania Like a Local
Nowruz, the Persian New Year, is one of the many religious festivities celebrated in Albania. If you are wondering why, you should know that this small Balkan country is one of the most tolerant places in the world, so people of different religious can celebrate their holy days in harmony and peace.
Celebrated worldwide by Iranians, Nowruz, which literally means “new day,” is an important day that marks the beginning of spring. It usually occurs in the days around March 20-23, depending on the moment when the sun crosses the celestial equator and equalizes day and night. This year, in Albania, Nowruz will be held on March 22.
In foreign media, Albania is often considered a Muslim country, but this is not true: yes, there are Muslims, obviously, but also a significant number of Orthodox and Catholic believers. One of the most interesting religious orders in Albania is the Bektashi Sufi order, part of the Islamic mystic tradition but considered blasphemous in many Muslim countries.
The best thing you can do to celebrate Nowruz in Albania like a local is to head to the impressive tekke located in the northeast of Tirana, and visit it. The tekke is adorned with stunning marbled colored mosaics and also includes a lovely souvenir shop, perfect if you want to buy something typical.
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Every year in March, the Bektashi Community in Albania celebrates Nowruz. It is an important moment that reunites all the main political and religious leaders of the country, who gather at the beautiful Bektashi World Sanctuary, situated in the outskirts of Tirana. This is an important event for all Albanians, not only for believers, and the day is considered a symbol of religious co-existence in Albania: this small Balkan country is is well known throughout the world for its religious tolerance and respect.
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