In the city of Tirana, the early production of items such as cells, bricks, stone works (including alabaster), and precious materials like silver and copper continues.The most successful industry today is the production of Albanian folk costumes for both adults and children. The most notable items in this industry include woolen products such as bags, scarves, and bands, as well as gold and silver boxes used by women and girls to carry ornaments, rings, hangers, and other accessories.
Craft of cellars production
The craft of producing cells is one of the most prominent in Tirana. While not as popular as it once was, it remains one of the symbols of Albanian culture. Handmade production is an art that some families have inherited through generations, despite the pressures of modernization.
Llull Craft
In Tirana, we also have workshops that specialize in the production of olive wood lullabies. These artisans have been working in the trade for a long time, with some having started during the Great Depression. Many of these craftsmen worked their way up during the 18th and 19th centuries. The lullabies are often made from wood, especially in rural areas.
One of the key elements in making pipes or “slugs” is the material itself, as well as the preparation of carving knives. The wood used must be as dense and compressed as possible, so materials like heather and maple are commonly employed. Wood from the sea is unsuitable because its structure is deformed, preventing the creation of fine engravings.
The entire process of making a pipe is manual, from shaping and drilling to drying, painting with natural inks, and engraving. Most of the objects produced for the market carry the brand “Albania,” though personalized pipes can also be made with names, initials, country names, and custom paint designs.
Artisans in Tirana
Isuf Skenderi belongs to the third generation of pipe and slab engraving masters, and he is perhaps the only one in Albania still using the same tools as his father and grandfather. His family once ran a well-known shop in the Old Bazaar of Tirana.
