The month of March is a special time of awakening and good luck for Albanians; it is the beginning of spring and since ancient Greek and Roman times, this period has always been celebrated with rituals and festivals in Albania.

The festivities in Albania are called Nawruz and it is customary to celebrate the first day of spring with rituals, picnics and the exchange of gifts and food. Nawruz is also celebrated in many Middle Eastern countries like Iran, Georgia, Turkmenistan, many of which neighbour Albania. This festival originated in Persia and are still very much felt in there, as this time is the Iranian New Year.

Nawruz originated from pre-Islamic times and therefore considered a popular and non-religious festival. The name derives from the ancient Persian, from the combination of two words nava and rezan - new day, which indicates the beginning of the year of the Iranian calendar. In Iran, preparations for the festivities begin four weeks before the first day of spring. Over the centuries the festival found fertile ground in many other places around the world due to migration and the Persian empire. 

Nawruz in Albania is known as Sultan Nevruz and today is celebrated by both the Muslim population and other religions, although it does not represent a religious festival. The four natural elements are the symbols of this festival, water purifies; fire is a symbol of rebirth, the earth indicates the awakening and fertility and the wind the flourishing of plants.  Another important symbol of the feast are the heads of wheat that are tied together with red ribbon along with lighting candles, which represent each member of the family.  The typical dish that is prepared for the Nawruz is kulaç, homemade bread baked with a coin inside. It cut into several parts and whoever finds the coin in their part of bread will have good luck all year.  They usually exchange greetings and visit relatives at this time, the younger ones organize picnics to welcome spring.  In 2009, UNESCO recognised the Navruz festival as part of the cultural heritage of humanity.

Ferries to Albania 

Albania is easily and quickly reachable from Italian ports with daily ferry connections. Netferry offers allows you to find information on the shipping companies, departure and arrival times, promotions and online booking.

Just visit the Netferry online booking centre and get instant access to useful information on your ferry trip to Albania. Ferries leave from the ports of Trieste, Ancona, Bari and Brindisi and arrive at the ports of Durres and Vlora.

For more information contact the NetFerry call centre on (+39) 0831 564257 from Monday to Friday from 09.00 to 13.00 and from 15.30 to 20.00 and Saturday from 09.00 to 13.00. Or drop us an email on info@netferry.com

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