September 2025
Folk Fest 2025 brings together 11 ensembles from the Albanian regions
The festival's second edition expanded to two nights, with a city parade and competitive performances at the House of Culture.
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Welcome to
Song and Folk Dance Ensemble ILIRIDA
The ILIRIDA Song and Folk Dance Ensemble from Shtime — soloists, orchestra, dance group and choir — dedicated to preserving, developing and sharing the Albanian folkloric treasure.
Welcome
ILIRIDA Song and Folk Dance Ensemble, Shtime
From Shtime, for all Albanian regions — we preserve, develop and share the folkloric treasure: songs, dances, costumes and melodies.
2022
Founded
Shtime, Kosovo
Home
FOLKFEST
Our festival
2022Founded
The Ensemble
Artistic disciplines
Four artistic bodies that together form the voice, the movement and the spirit of the ensemble.
01
Dance Troupe
The dance group brings authentic choreographies from the Albanian ethnographic regions to the stage — rhythm, grace and costumes that tell the story of a people.
02
Traditional Singing
The vocal soloists preserve and interpret traditional source songs, from the iso-polyphony of lyrical motifs to songs of celebration.
03
Orchestra
The folk orchestra, with traditional and modern instruments, gives the ensemble its sound — melodies that have travelled from generation to generation.
04
Choir
The ensemble's choir joins voices in polyphony, adding depth to every stage performance and festive concert.
Our national festival
FOLKFEST
Traditions that unite.
The national folklore festival of songs and dances, organised by AKV ILIRIDA and the Municipality of Shtime, with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. Every September, Shtime becomes the epicentre of Albanian folklore.
Heritage
A heritage that lives
through every generation.
Our embroidered costumes, dances, songs and rites are not memories — they are an everyday act of living. In every rehearsal, on every stage, at every festival, we pass them on exactly as we received them: with pride.
Gallery
Photos & videos
Moments from the stage, the festival and the life of the ensemble.
Announcements
News & announcements
From the life of the ensemble and the festival — with official sources.
September 2025
FOLK FEST 2025 in Shtime — official municipality announcement
The Municipality of Shtime announces the two-night festival programme: the parade from the House of Culture and the performance nights.
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17 September 2024
The first «Folk Fest» — Shtime made history
The national folklore festival of songs and dances was held for the first time, in honour of Youth Day. The grand prize was won by the «Bresana» Ensemble from Opoja.
Read moreContact
Come and live the tradition with us.
Invite us to your event, write to us about a collaboration, or join us at FOLKFEST.