We believe the happiness is always all around us…
Children always try to remember and embody what others, especially adults, might have forgotten—that hope is real and change is possible. Lots of people get lost in their problems and consumed by their concerns and they forget to see what is beyond the troubles of the day. This is exactly the reason why 600 children from different schools and villages of Elbasan Area Development gathered together. They had a plan: bring joy and happiness to all people who don’t have it, remind them that change is possible and dreams can come true. To achieve their goals, children thought music and dancing were the best weapons to make people smile and encourage optimism. As a result they planned and threw a big celebration focused on traditional art.
The idea for a celebration of traditional art came from the children themselves. The activity was a child led. One by one, artistic groups from different schools in the seven communes participated in a competition were they sang, danced and performed their traditional dress in the presence of other children, teachers and local media.
Lots of parents, coming from the city and villages of Elbasan also join the activity. Some of them came to accompany their children to perform, others were simply spectators. One of them was Sanija, a mother from Mlize village. She came to support her two nieces, as they participated in the activity. Both girls were dressed in traditional clothes. “Thank you for this activity and for inviting us,” she said.
“We, children, must organize and become part of such initiatives more often as these make us think we have lots of beautiful things in our country to get happy for,” said Gentian, 14, one of the children who commend to see the celebration.
To make all this possible, Children partnered with: World Vision, the Head of the city hall, and the Regional Director of Education among others. Children titled the activity: “Walking in the footsteps of the popular traditions”.
The emotions of children were easy to read on their faces. Every hand lifted up and every verse sung out was like a message of love and freshness to the peoples’ minds that were present. The children did not want to disappoint the audience, so they worked very hard to improve themselves before their live presentation.
“We want to rejoice the life we have and capture good moments like today every day,” added Danjela, 14, of Elbasan.
For some children, especially those coming from the villages, this was the first time they have been part of an activity were the music was so loud and magical that it dominated people’s problems and their thoughts. Many people were dressed in their finest attire for the event.
“I congratulate all these children who so beautifully transmitted our country values and spread joy to all participants. Only children can cause this kind of emotional effect to the crowd,” said Klement Marku, one of the guests.
“Through this event, children created a magical atmosphere which grabbed everyone’s heart and attention [including] tough parents, teachers and representatives from the government, [and helped them] to value the beautiful things they have as citizens—their art and traditions,” said Arjan Emini, World Vision Albania’s Elbasan’s team leader.
At the end of the event, the jury consisted of children and art professionals whose job was to choose the best performances of the event. Only three performances were selected as the best ones, but everybody left the event as a winner because all they gained something new and special from this day.
--The end--