Eco-Museum of Himarë. The storytelling of the Himara's Iso-Polyphony, in English.

If you want to learn the history of a country, listen to its songs. In the songs they have knitted their history, worries, and sorrows. The Albanian iso-polyphony, declared “Masterpiece of the oral heritage of mankind” by UNESCO on November 25, 2005, is a special part of Himara and Albanian Culture. The song of the soul, transmitted by the inhabitants since the time of war, in daily life, in family, cultural and artistic events. This great spiritual resource of Himara is initially portrayed by Neco Muka and Koco Çakali. The first records were recorded in Paris in 1929 with the combination of the sounds of Neco Muka’s polyphony and the classical music of Tefta Tashko, then the other records were recorded in 1933. The history of Himara’s polyphonic song would then be enriched with the creation of the new band in 1949-1950 with Dhimiter Varfi as lead and the “Himara Polyphonic Group”. Other names like Andrea Bala, Panajot Kukaveshi, Lefter Cipa, etc. have fueled the love for Himara songs. These events are followed by Mrs. Katina Bejleri, who nostalgically remembers climbing the stage at a young age at the Gjirokastra festival.

[interview by Katina Bejleri]
The collaboration took place in Paris where all the creations of Koco, Neco, and the whole group he had created were recorded. Based on these songs, the whole history of the Himara polyphonic song continued. In general, Himara and its residents have sung about life and love.

A characteristic feature of the polyphony is the third voice or “throwing” of the song where each song has its own melody and uniqueness. Another name that has given life to polyphony with his verses is Lefter Cipa, honored in 2020 with the title “Honor of the Nation” for thousands of polyphonic verses and poems he has gifted not only Himara but all of Albania.

[Interview with L. Cipa]
Himara polyphony has a larger world than the polyphony of other parts of Albania. In Himara and Pilur you will often meet Mr. Kristo Cipa, leader of the polyphonic group “Bejke e Bardhe” who conveys to us the emotions and appreciation for this work.

[Interview with K. Cipa]
Why? Because in the polyphony you can distinguish a very old type of verification. Mrs. Katina Bejleri, an international polyphonic icon from Himara, invites you through her verses to visit and enjoy the beauties of Himara.

[interview by Katina Bejleri]
As the poet Lefter Cipa says:
“Himara, beautiful Himara
Steep mountain
Even below the wave”
With the Himara polyphonic songs of Nase Beni
“Who is the flower of the vilayet?
That the whole world loves
Himara on the seashore
Placed in the mountains”

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can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.