AFA "Rugova" – Peja

Lulash Brigja

Today, with some good friends – for joy and for celebration – we went out to Vukël of Kelmendi.

Where the beauty of nature and human kindness captivate you, where the river is so clear it feels like it springs from the sky. Where the voice of history echoes through the cliffs, and tradition says to you: Welcome!

We are in the heart of the Alps, where every chimney at night kisses the stars, and every stable carries the names of people and the whispers of solitude.

Where every generation has shed blood to defend freedom, and now almost all have left – but not only here; all the clans of Malësia and Dukagjini face the same fate.

But the towers still stand strong, and wherever you sit, it seems you hear a voice calling you:

May God have brought you here; our home belongs to God and to the guest

Especially today, on the feast of Our Lady of Vukli, generosity is visible everywhere. 

Amid the fragrance of the flowers we passed, the chirping of the birds could be heard, but I also saw some corn roasting in the sun – “May God bless it,” I thought, and said nothing!

It seems that all roads lead to the Church of Vukli, where songs echo along the slopes of the valley. 

“Celebration, Tradition, and Joy” 

The organizers have christened this activity.

But who are they?

The Cultural and Artistic Society “Jehona e Kelmendit,” led by a prominent figure of folkloric festivals, Ambassador of Peace and Goodwill – Mrs. Dila Vacaj What can I say – she truly deserves even more for her half-century of work in promoting the traditions, folklore, and ethnography of Malësia. 

At the same time, taking photos and enjoying every beautiful sight the eyes of a guest and a photographer can see, we climbed to the church’s bell tower.

“Thank God my eyes can see this people, almost unbelievable! Have the spirits come down from the mountains, or have the young women and brides come out for the celebration?” 

The people of Kelmend and Rugova have returned to the lands of their ancestors, wearing their traditional costumes. 

It was touching when two tears fell from a man’s eyes as I asked him, “How are you feeling?”

“From here, all our ancestors left,” he said. “Father told me many stories with names. Until recently, they would come and go here. I have some cousins here, but it seems they have gone to America!” 

It reminded me that I once read about a Gjek Stanishta with two thousand sheep who had settled in Stankaj of Rugova, but that’s a long story!

"The Highland girls, dressed in their traditional xhubleta, began the dance, and then my friend, the rhapsodist, followed with his melody." Luigj Gjerkaj With the heroic lahuta, Donika Vucinaj and Besnik Pepushaj ..

Rugova Autochthonous Folk Ensemble ", directed by" Vesel Nika greeted with several performances, as always, they are magical 

The village festival is not just a religious ceremony, but a gathering of the soul with tradition, roots, and God. People come from everywhere: some from Shkodra, some from the diaspora, many from Gucia, Vuthaj, and Triesh – and I also saw some friends of mine from Peja today

I have often walked through these mountains, for pleasure and with company. I have tasted the fresh bread from the mountain huts, fresh cheese, and creamy yogurt, sharing it with a knife.

"We spent late evenings under the light of the hearth, and they told me stories and legends.

I started writing them, not knowing when I would stop, but today everything seems different. A friend called us, and brought us along with some good men to see beautiful things

I have told my friends many times: step a little off the asphalt, and there near the Tamara Bridge take a right – because truly, in Vukël and Nikç, you will get along very well.

In fact, many place names in these areas are Slavic, but there is no region in the Albanian Lands that has sacrificed more for freedom.

The seeds of summer have come slowly, it has rained often, but the young shoots have grown up the mountain.

Vukli’s road started to show signs of summer as soon as it began to be laid – they worked a lot, the words were good, but no asphalt was actually paved.

With these friends of mine, we climbed like that, chatting beside Cemit of Vukli, and as soon as we got near the house of our friend Ndue Pepushaj, it seemed to me that everything had changed.

The festive atmosphere was visible everywhere; we spent a lovely lunch with some honorable men. 

The warrior towers that carry many celebrations and stories on their shoulders had opened their jugs, watching – silent and proud – ‘Thank goodness someone came,’ it seemed they were saying to themselves.

They do not speak to you, but make you understand everything: how one lived with honor, how one fought for freedom, how the celebration was prayed with friends and a pure heart.

In this place, but also everywhere in the mountains, everything is spoken and understood without many words – here the river and the courtyard path speak. At mountain celebrations, generosity sings at the table, the dance is accompanied by wishes and the humor made by the ibrik. 

In these mountains of God, the soul of the house smiles when a friend comes, and you feel like saying to yourself – oh God, how sincere they are.

At this celebration, the Lady of Vukli not only wishes you well, but also teaches you: to endure, to keep memories and traditions alive, to honor those things our ancestors left us as heritage and testament.

Today, everywhere I go, I feel that many people have not come just for the celebration. They have come to connect with the roots, with the spirit of the land and the mountains, with love for their homeland, with old memories, but also with those kind words they have felt for a long time.

Vukli is not just a village – it is a bridge that connects the past with the present, a voice that calls in the name of heritage, and a blessing that spreads silently through the mountains – where time has stopped since most of the people left from here.

In fact, when I go out one day into the mountains and highlands, I get inspired to write all week, and now I have to tell myself – make it shorter, you have tired us!

*First, I want to wish all the residents of this family, wherever they live. 

With a good heart, Happy Feast of the Lady of Vukli. Peace, blessing, and goodness to your families. No matter how far and high you go, do not forget that your roots are here. This makes you proud and indebted.

*Much respect to the organizers and the Cultural Artistic Association “Jehona e Kelmendit” for the activity and the atmosphere, let this be a good start to continue this tradition.

*I have known and valued the Pepushaj family as faithful, intellectual, and generous, but today’s hospitality I will remember for a long time as a symbol of the best Highlander values. 

With a good heart, Happy Feast, our friend Z. Ndue Pepushaj .

There I met many friends and colleagues because art and the celebration are windows of friendship. Thank you, my friend from Rozhaja Z. Ali Daci A patriot with values. Congratulations Studio. Malësia Channel For your work. 

Gratitude to Ridvan, Rexhepi, Shyqi, Lazri, and Zamiri, we had a very nice time.

* We were there for one day, but the celebration, hospitality, and beauty in the Albanian Alps never run out. 

Go to Vukël, it is really beautiful, climb up to the mountains because it is even more beautiful. 

With respect, Lulash Brigja 

– Vukël 24 Maj 2025

Ali Daci

On the day of Our Lady of Vukli in Vukël, where the branches of Dacaj, Nikç, and Muriq come together. Excellent performance by AFA “Rugova” and ShK “Jehona e Kelmendit”, the singer Donika Vuçinaj, Besnik Pepushaj enriched this activity. Honored and respected among brothers and sisters. It is to be emphasized that Rugova today stepped for the first time on the land of the ancestors! Long live Kelmendi and all Malësia.