School's Out For Summer!
Table of Contents
Spring (and Summer) is in the Air
Spring (and Summer) is in the Air
By Kostela Lila, Class 814
Did you know that there is a holiday called “Summer Day”?
“The Summer Day” or as it is called in Albania “Dita e Verës” is an Albanian holiday, which is also one of my favorite holidays. The holiday is celebrated on March 14 and it symbolizes the ending of winter and beginning of spring. “
“Dita e Verës” literally means day of summer, but the celebration occurs at the start of springtime. This is explained by the fact that ancient Albanians viewed the year as cut in half: one half belonged to a clear season and the other to a dark one. “Summer Day” is a very old and pagan holiday. It came before religions even existed and people believed in seasons, trees, and nature. “Dita e Verës”, is one of the oldest traditions of the country.
In 2004, it became a national holiday where celebrations take place all over the countrybut especially in Tirana, the capital of the country.
Ballokume Bracelet
Barn Swallow (Dallendyshe)
Whenever you say to an Albanian " Dita e Veres", the first things that come to their minds are Verore and Ballokume. It is traditional to wear a bracelet in your wrist called a Verore that is made from thin red and white thread that is braided together. The bracelet is so easy to make, you only need red and white thread. Verore are worn for protection and good luck. The bracelet symbolizes the coming of spring, and brings health and luck to its owner and the community. The red thread symbolizes the love for the beauty and the white the purity of a plant that blooms in March. You can wear it on March 1st and take it off on the “Summer Day” but as I do it you can wear it on March 14th and take it off when you see the first Dallendyshe (Barn Swallow) which is a special bird that migrates when it's cold and comes back when it's summer. These birds symbolize that the summer came since they come back when it's summer. After you tie the bracelet in a tree for good luck, and in hope a bird will use it to build its nest.
Ballokume Cookie
Decorated Boiled Eggs
On the “Summer Day'' it is also tradition to make ballokume or buy them and celebrate with your friends and families. Ballokume is an Albanian cookie originating in the city of Elbasan. Ballokume is made with only cornflour, butter, sugar, and eggs. This tradition has continued because people love the taste of the cookie!
Everyone celebrates differently, some people decorate boiled eggs in different colors, and draw different patterns (like Easter). Some people also make fire which is crossed by men and young people.The fire crossing symbolizes the end of winter.
Visit the Met
Visit the Met
Summer events for teens at The Metropolitan Museum of Art!
Click the link below to explore events!
Page updated
Report abuse