Albania’s lahuta wins UNESCO protection

Albania’s traditional lahuta has been added to UNESCO’s list of endangered cultural traditions.
The government says the decision gives international protection to one of the country’s oldest musical symbols.

The lahuta is a single-string lute, played and sung in northern Albania and neighbouring regions for centuries.
Its epic songs, including the Kreshnik cycle, have carried stories of bravery, honour and community life.

Culture officials say the nomination followed a long research project led by Albanian scholars, with support from the Albanian-American Development Foundation.
The file was submitted to UNESCO last year.

The government says it will now work to preserve and promote the tradition, and continue cooperation with Kosovo.

UNESCO placed the lahuta on its list of Intangible Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.