MULTICULTURAL MONTH
Albania-Kosovo
Albania – Kosova has had the privilege of being a part of the Heritage Festival for three years and it has been an amazing event to show our culture and teach others about our countries.
The pavilion is organized by the Albanian Canadian Society of Edmonton (ACSE). Founded in 2001, the main goal of the Albanian Canadian Society of Edmonton (ACSE) was to bring new and settled Albanians in Edmonton closer together and offer any assistance it could at the time.
Throughout the years, the community has evolved and became much more active through community-sponsored programs, charity work, and volunteer programs.
We are very proud to be part of the Heritage Days Festival and are looking forward to many more years of celebrating our diversity and culture.
 Heritage Festival 2019 |  Premier Jason Kenny pays a visit |  Minister Aheer and Executive Director Jim Gibbon at 2019 stage |
|---|---|---|
 Welcome to our pavilion |  |  Dancing at 2017 Festival |
 |  Albania Kosova |
ALBANIA COOL FACTS!
POPULATION
2.9 Million
CAPITAL CITY
Tirana
Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu
more commonly known as Mother Teresa
UNESCO
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The town of Berat (named one of the most beautiful town’s on the world),
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The town Gjirokastër (known as the “city of stone”, because of unique stone houses)
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Lake Ohrid, which is Europe’s oldest lake.
YES or NO
Albanians nod when they mean “no” and shake their head when they mean “yes”
RAKI
local drink made from grapes, strong but delicious
LANDSCAPE
70% of Albania is covered by mountains, and borders water on two sides, the Adriatic and Ionian Sea
FLAG
The double headed eagle on the flag is a proud historical symbol dating from the 11th century. The word Albania is “Shqiperi” and the word for Albanians is “Shqiptar” which means “land of the eagles”
LANGUAGE
Albanian (Shqip) has no close languages, it is a unique language that is not related to any other languages in Europe
Kosova Cool Facts!
POPULATION
1.8 Million
LANDSCAPE
Kosova is a mountainous region; about 40% is covered by forests, the majority of trees are Oak and Pine.
FLORA & FAUNA
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A rich assortment of plant species, including a dozen that are only found in Kosova.
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More than 200 species of birds live or migrate in Kosova seasonally.
CAPITAL CITY
Prishtina
SIZE
Smalled country in the Balkans (10, 887 sq km)
AGE
More than 70% of the country's population is under the age of 35, and is considered the youngest population in Europe!
GEOGRAPHY
It is an important link between central and southern Europe, Black Sea, and the Adriatic Sea.
INDEPENDENCE
2nd youngest nation in the world. Declared independence on February 17th, 2008.
CAVES
limestone caves are abundant and can be found in several parts of the country.
BUREK
Traditional Albanian Dish. There are many forms of Burek, you can have Meat, Potato, Spinach, Cheese and even Pumpkin!
Ingredients:
1 pound lean ground beef
1 tablespoon ground allspice
1 tablespoon paprika
1 pinch salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1 potato, finely chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 (16 ounce) package phyllo dough
¼ cup melted butter
Cooking Directions:
Step 1 Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Step 2 Brown ground beef in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain fat; stir in allspice, paprika, salt, and pepper. Transfer beef to a large bowl and stir in potato and onion.
Step 3 Unroll phyllo pastry and transfer 2 sheets to a work surface; stack sheets. Spoon 1/8th of the ground beef mixture down one long edge of the phyllo pastry. Roll phyllo into a tube, encasing beef. Shape the tube into a coil (snail shape). Place the roll on an ungreased baking sheet; brush with melted butter. Repeat, placing finished rolls up against one another to keep them from unrolling.
Step 4 Bake burek in the preheated oven until golden brown, 20 to 30 minutes