One of the highlights of our Albanian wedding was dancing traditional valle, such as the pogonishte which is a line dance from Southern Albania. But each region has their own special dance/valle! Trust me — if you’re going to marry an Albanian, you’re going to be dancing— so you might as well learn some moves and kenge popullore!
We went all out and even performed in traditional Albanian dress: I wore a wool vest, wool belt, wool shirt, and a heavy wool skirt. My husband wore a qeleshe (the white felt Albanian cap) and a fustanella with leggings and a vest. It was HOT in the middle of summer — but also such an honor to wear these garments! At one point, we even got to dance in the middle of an Albanian flag (video below).
Why do I recommend learning these dances? Because dancing is the centerpiece of an Albanian wedding. The valles (line dances) are non-stop — I mean hours and hours of them — and they’re not just entertainment, they’re a huge part of the culture and the way guests celebrate.
AND, it was so much fun to surprise my husband’s extended family. There were so many people I had never met before, and they were so nice about the fact that I had embraced their dances.
If you’re a foreigner marrying into an Albanian family, learning even just the basics of Pogonishte (or whichever dance is most common in your new family) is a nice gesture to show your respect for the culture. Your in-laws & guests will notice and appreciate that you cared enough to join in on their traditions.
One thing we were worried about was the balancing / blending of our cultures and wanting to be respectful of our American guests too. We asked our DJ to sprinkle in our favorite English and Spanish language songs so they could feel at home and let loose on the dance floor. They even showed off their “Footloose” line dance. But the Americans were super open to trying the pogonishte as well. Also, don’t be surprised if people start dancing up to you and tucking money down your suit jacket or dress, that is totally normal for Albanian weddings! That money usually goes towards paying for the band, or other wedding expenses. Guests will often feel the need to pay back the amount you spent on your plate— Albanian culture is very polite 🙂
How to Learn:
- Search online for “how to dance Albanian valle” (there are some helpful YouTube videos).
- But better yet, ask your partner, their family, or friends to teach you in the week leading up to the wedding if they haven’t already. That’s how I learned — mostly by watching my husband and his sister.
- Once you start, you’ll pick it up quickly! Pogonishte is on the simpler side, compared to faster, trickier dances like Katjushka (see video below).
But my best advice: start listening to Albanian wedding music now. It’s fun, full of clarinet solos, and gets you in the mood to dance. Here’s a place to start: Albanian Wedding & Party Songs Playlist
So whether you’re in full traditional costume or just hopping into the line with everyone else, don’t hold back. Learning valle is the easiest way to feel part of the celebration, especially if you’re going to be center of attention!
🎥 Check out our traditional dancing below — costumes borrowed from a local dance troupe!
