The last month of the summer is here and, along with a certain sadness at the conclusion of the vibrant season, this month offers plenty of exciting opportunities to fully celebrate the gorgeous sunny days to come. Read over the top 10 events of this August below:

1. Zâ Fest III, August 2^nd-4^th, Theth

Vlashent Sata brings his brainchild music festival to the Albanian Alps for a third time on August 2-4, 2019 in what looks like the greatest lineup of the fairly young but already legendary Zâ Fest. Those who will join Vlashent on stage will be modern folk band Don’t Listen to Your Neighbors and soulful Agona Shporta on the 1^st night, which concludes with the award-winning film “Streha Mes Reve” screened under the stars. On the 2^nd night, prepare for the performances of the surprising Bob Berkey Clown, Piers Faccini’s soothing folk and the wistful Elina Duni. Both nights, Arbeni Bajraktaraj will recite poetry and folk tales throughout the breaks between performances. For tours and other information, click here.

Official poster of the event.

2. “Çeço Fest”, Gjirokastra Castle, August 2^nd-3^rd

For those of you who would rather head south, Çeço Fest promises give this August a jump start with electronic music, traditional food and costumes, open-air cinema and countless other things to enjoy in gorgeous Gjirokastra Castle. Among the artists who will join this unique festival are ODA, Positive Cuts, Amer Doux, Mr. Cool, and Beltrame. Festival tickets cost 1000 ALL. For more information, call 00355676736669.

Official poster of the event.

3. Exhibit Dedicated to Leonardo Da Vinci, National Historical Museum, August 1^st-10^th, Tirana

The grand summer month brings one of the grandest legends in the art world of the past millennium: Leonardo da Vinci. On the 500^th anniversary of his death, the National Historical Museum exhibits 17 life-size reproductions of Da Vinci’s masterpieces for a multimedia exhibit that is truly fascinating. The exhibit will continue on to Algeria after the 10^th so take advantage of this chance to become more acquainted with Da Vinci’s work.

Official poster of the event.

4. Classical Music Nights Biennale, Durrës, August 1^st-6^th

Classical music accompanied with tastings of a fine selection of Italian, French, Spanish and German wines. Hotel Adriatik has put together a special event to celebrate the first week of August. This famous establishment in Durrës offers some of the best views of the Adriatic, creating a perfect backdrop to this intimate event. Ticket for the entire event costs 6000 ALL. For more information or to make reservations call 00355697075784.

Official poster of the event.

5. Exhibition “Kolë Idromeno in Retrospective”, National Gallery of Arts, Tirana, all month long

One of the greatest Albanian painters, comes through a special exhibition at the National Gallery of Arts. From the painting “Sister Tone” (Motra Tone), otherwise known as “the Albanian Mona Lisa”, painted in 1883, up to the Dantesque tabloid “Two road” (Dy rrugët), the public will have a unique opportunity to see Idromeno’s masterpieces exposed near one another.

Photo by IntoAlbania.

6. Movie Nights at “Reja” (Cloud), Tirana, August 5^th-12^th-19^th-26^th

Every Monday, don’t miss the movie night meeting at “Reja” installation, one of the coolest places in town, located in the front yard of the Academy of Arts. The event is organized in collaboration with the Italian Institute of Culture, and the movie catalogue include some of the most well-known Italian classics starring such beautiful screen sirens like Sofia Loren, Claudia Cardinale, Gina Lollobrigida and more. Films are screened at 9 PM.

Sou Fujimoto’s “Cloud”, Tirana, photo by IntoAlbania.

7. Open Air Cinema at New Bazaar (Pazari i Ri), Tirana, various dates

You will need to reserve some of your beautiful August nights for the nine films that will be screened at approximately 8:30 at the New Bazaar square. The 40 m2 screen can be seen for miles so bring friends and enjoy this idyllic late summer atmosphere. Follow the event online to find out more information on the specific dates and selected films.

Official poster of the event.

8. Exhibition “Photographers of Southeast Albania”, Marubi Museum, all month long

In the Marubi National Museum of Photography you may visit the exhibition “Photographers of Southeast Albania”, where some of the best photographers of the late 19^th and 20^th century have been selected to offer a rare journey through Albanian society of the last centuries. Some of the names included at the exhibit are Kristo Sulidhi, Perikli Kaçauni, Petro Dhimitri, Kristaq Sotiri, and more.

Marubi National Photography Museum, Shkodra, photo by IntoAlbania.

9. Balkan Snooker Open, August 8^th-11^th, Tirana

Perfect occasion for snooker fans! The regional snooker competition will include some of the best snooker athletes in the Balkan region from Albania, northern Macedonia, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Serbia, etc. Entrance fee for participants costs 20 Euro while the total amount of prizes totals up to 2000 Euro. First prize is 500 Euro, second 250 Euro and the third and fourth prize winners will receive 150 Euro each. Everyone is welcome. The event begins at 10 AM. For more information, click here.

Photo source: facebook.com/federatashqiptare.esnookerit

10. Discovering the Karaburun Peninsula

Wonderful tours that take you on a journey of discovering the caves and beaches of the Karaburun Peninsula are organized on all weekends of the entire month of August. Get ready to book your adventure on one of these weekends where you will get to experience paradise on earth and truly become one with nature. To reserve your tour, click here.

Karaburun Peninsula, photo by IntoAlbania.