Chestnut Festival

By Engjellushe Icka

Autumn - "the healthiest and wealthiest time of year".

I have fond childhood memories of my grandmothers telling me stories of their preparations for the long cold winter season. Chestnut harvesting was part of the preparation and included many traditional festivities. The Pogradec families’ land often grew chestnut trees among other types of fruit-bearing trees. The chestnut harvesting would be organized in groups for speed and efficiency. Once the harvest was in, delicious pies, sweets and wine were prepared, and the fresh chestnuts were roasted and boiled. Pogradec chestnuts are desired because of the ideal balance of climate and soil resulting in a highly nutritious and flavorful nut. Pogradec chestnuts are exported throughout Northern Europe, becoming flour for delicious pastry and sweets.

With the passing of the years the economic importance of this tradition has changed but the love of festivities has remained. Towards the end of October the city of Pogradec holds an annual festival celebrating the tradition. Visitors from neighboring towns such as Korca, Elbasan and Tirana and even neighboring countries such as North Macedonia and Greece join in Pogradec‘s main square for the Festival of Chestnuts. Small kiosks selling traditional food pop up in the city center with a large chestnut-roasting grill as the focal point. Food, drink, and live music are enjoyed, accompanied by singing and dancing.

Additionally remarkable is that the same festival is celebrated in the Arbereshë villages of Italy. The village of San Constantino Albanese, with over 1,200 inhabitants, is in the region of Basilicata, on the eastern Adriatic coast. Old and young speak the Arbereshë language, with a southern Albanian accent. This language has been preserved since the time of their migration from Albania, due to the Turkish Ottoman invasion of over 500 years ago, after the death Albanian hero, Gjergj Scanderbeg.

You are invited to come and visit next year's festival, whether in Pogradec...or in Italy!