On 16 June, the inauguration ceremony of the bas-relief installation “The Call of the Stone” was held at Gryka e Vajës, Krujë, specifically at the tourist gateway to the Qafë Shtama National Park.
This artistic project was one of the 15 winning initiatives under the small grants scheme “Heritage is our Brand”, funded by the European Union and implemented by DMO Albania and EU Policy Hub.
The project, conceived by Besiana Shehi, and the bas-relief created by artist Klodian Luca, was inspired by the Legend of Gryka e Vajës, which commemorates the sacrifice of 90 girls from Krujë in 1478, who chose death rather than captivity by Ottoman forces.
This artwork aims to preserve and promote one of the most powerful legends of the Krujë Highlands.
The event began with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Municipality of Krujë and DMO Albania, signed by the Deputy Mayor of Krujë, Ms. Yllka Sheta Kukalaj, and the Executive Director of DMO Albania, Ms. Eva Kushova.
Participants then moved to the site where the bas-relief “The Call of the Stone” was installed. Prior to the inauguration ceremony, students from the Krujë Cultural Centre performed a concert featuring traditional songs and dances.
During the ceremony, remarks were delivered by the project initiator Besiana Shehi, artist Klodian Luca, Deputy Mayor of Krujë Yllka Sheta Kukalaj, Executive Director of DMO Albania Eva Kushova, and project coordinator Blerta Tuci.
Through this project, the organizers aim to strengthen cultural memory, honor the resilience and dignity of Albanian women, and promote cultural tourism in the Krujë region.
