The first workshop of the NETFOLK Project “The Adriatic Cultural Bridge: Century-long bond between the Folk Music in Italy, Albania and Montenegro”, was held on 21 June 2021, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM in Tirana, Albania, at MAK Albania Hotel. 

The workshop was organized by the Association Shoqata Syri Blu (AL), project partner of NETFOLK and started with the welcome greetings of Dhimitraq Furxhi, Director of Culture and Cultural Heritage department of the Municipality of Tirana, Besim Petrela, representative of the Syri Blu Association, Violeta Bandili, Violeta Dance Association in Termoli (Molise Region), Musa Hoxha, Head of Palace of Culture of Ulcinje, Montenegro, Raffaele Niro and Federico Scarabino, representatives of the Lead Partner.

The panelists were many and from different folk sectors: Mikaela Minga Professor of the ethnomusicology at the Academy of Sciences of Albania, Genc Kastrati, Choreographer of the National Song and Dance Ensemble of Albania, Raffaele Niro, Italian poetry, Parashqevi Hallkaj, Folklore ensemble “Bejke e Bardhe “ - Himara, Marsel Lacaj, Head of Palace of Culture of Lezha and Federico Scarabino, musician and founder of the group Rione Junno, accompanied by Luca D’Apolito, component of the group.

During the workshop there were the practical sessions on polyphony and dance demonstrations and Each participant received a certificate of participation.

The panelists have talked about the cultural links and influences between polyphony, culture and dance in the Adriatic area. The last part of the workshop was dedicated to the importance of creation of a network on the Adriatic folklore and to plan the next steps to develop it.

The second workshop will be held in Monte Sant’Angelo, Puglia (Italy) on 31 July 2021.