Editing Culture of Albania (section)

=== Holidays ===
{{Main|Public holidays in Albania}}

[[File:Independence Day Celebrations 01.jpg|210px|thumb|right|[[100th Anniversary of the Independence of Albania|Independence Day]] in Pristina, Kosovo<ref>{{cite web|title=Kosovo celebrates today Albanian Independence Day|url=http://www.gazetaexpress.com/en/news/kosovo-celebrates-today-albanian-independence-day-171519/|website=gazetaexpress.com|location=Pristina|language=en|date=28 November 2016|access-date=11 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212083954/http://www.gazetaexpress.com/en/news/kosovo-celebrates-today-albanian-independence-day-171519/|archive-date=12 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>]]

In consideration to the long and eventful [[history of Albania]], there are several cultural and religious holidays throughout the country. [[Albanians]], either in Albania, [[Kosovo]] and [[Albanian diaspora|other countries]], celebrate their [[Albanian Declaration of Independence|Independence]] and [[Albanian Flag Day|Flag Day]] on November 28. Various ceremonies, festivals and concerts take place to celebrate the historic day in major cities amongst them in [[Tirana]] and [[Pristina]], holding festive and military parades.

[[Christmas]] is celebrated by those following the religion of [[Christianity]]. [[Eid al-Fitr|Bajram]] is considered by Muslims as the holiday of forgiveness, moral victory and peace, fellowship and unity. They sacrifice a sheep for this holiday, giving the meat to their family, friends and to the poor people.

Another [[Paganism|pagan]] holiday is [[Dita e Verës]], particularly popular in [[Elbasan]] and [[Gjirokastër]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Dita e verës, festimet kanë nisur para Krishtit|url=http://shqiptarja.com/news.php?IDNotizia=73804|website=shqiptarja.com|language=sq|date=14 March 2012|access-date=11 February 2018|archive-date=12 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212083616/http://shqiptarja.com/news.php?IDNotizia=73804|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is celebrated on March 14 and is intended to commemorate the end of winter, the rebirth of nature and a rejuvenation of spirit amongst the Albanians. The ritual of the day begins on the previous day with the preparation of sweets such as [[ballokume]] cooked in a wood oven. During the evening ballokume, dried [[Ficus|fig]]s, [[walnut]]s, turkey legs, boiled eggs and simite are distributed to members of the family.

[[List of Teachers' Days|Dita e Mësuesit]] is celebrated on March 7 since 1887 and is regarded by many Albanians as one of the most important holidays of the country. It honors the opening of the first school that taught lessons in [[Albanian language|Albanian]] in [[Korçë]].