The crafts of Kukës today are part of a centuries-old tradition that dates back to Illyrian times. Pottery, once a highly developed craft, has now nearly disappeared. Stone carving, woodworking, and blacksmithing, which were widely used for home decoration from the Middle Ages onward, have also become almost extinct.
The Art of Handiwork
Women have preserved the tradition of craftsmanship through generations. The carpets and tapestries woven by the women of Kukës are of high quality, beautifully designed, and sought after in both domestic and international markets. These textiles feature distinctive and ancient folk motifs, skillfully arranged in vibrant color combinations with refined artistic taste—patterns that cannot be found in any other region of Albania.
A significant aspect of women’s handiwork is the creation of traditional folk costumes. Women’s costumes, in particular, are admired for their beauty and elegance, each unique in its design. The variety of women’s traditional attire is so vast that styles differ even within different areas of Kukës. Meanwhile, men’s suits are traditionally made from shajaku, a thick woolen fabric.
Artisans in the Kitchen
Flutura Elezi, a master in tapestry production in Kukës, learned the craft from her mother at an early age. After completing the eighth grade, she began working in the Kukës handicrafts industry, continuing the legacy of this ancient tradition.
