Our Story
About / Rreth Nesh
Discover the story behind Besa Festival and our mission to preserve Albanian heritage in Denmark.
Our Mission
Keeping Traditions AliveDuke Mbajtur Traditat Gjallë
Besa Festival was founded in 2022 by a group of passionate Albanian immigrants who wanted to create a space where our community could gather, celebrate, and share our rich cultural heritage with our children and Danish friends.
What started as a small community gathering has grown into Denmark's largest Albanian cultural celebration, attracting thousands of visitors each year from across Scandinavia and Europe.
Our mission is simple: to ensure that the traditions, music, food, and values that define Albanian identity continue to thrive far from our homeland, creating bridges between generations and cultures.
Albanian Honor Code
The Sacred Meaning of Besa
In Albanian culture, Besa is more than a word—it's a sacred oath, an unbreakable promise that defines who we are as a people. When an Albanian gives their Besa, they pledge their honor, their family's honor, and even their life to keep that promise.
During World War II, Albanian families gave Besa to Jewish refugees, hiding them from Nazi persecution at great personal risk. Albania was the only country in Europe where the Jewish population actually increased during the war—a testament to the power of this ancient code of honor.
Besa bie, shqiptari s'bie.
”“Besa falls, but the Albanian does not.”
Our Community
Albanians in DenmarkShqiptarët në Danimarkë
The Albanian community in Denmark has grown to over 15,000 members, making it one of the largest Albanian diaspora communities in Scandinavia. Our community includes families from Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia.
From Copenhagen to Aarhus, Odense to Aalborg, Albanian families have built lives while maintaining strong connections to their homeland. We have established cultural associations, Albanian language schools, and community centers throughout the country.
Besa Festival serves as the annual gathering point for our community—a place where we celebrate together, where our children learn about their heritage, and where we share our culture with our Danish neighbors.
15K+
Community Members
30+
Years in Denmark
5
Festival Editions
The Team
Meet Our Organizers
A dedicated team of volunteers and professionals working year-round to bring Besa Festival to life.
Arben Hoxha
Festival Director
Drejtor Festivali
Born in Tirana, Arben has been organizing cultural events for the Albanian diaspora for over 15 years.
Elira Krasniqi
Cultural Curator
Kuratrice Kulturore
An expert in Albanian folk traditions, Elira ensures the festival authentically represents our heritage.
Besnik Rama
Music Director
Drejtor Muzikor
With connections across the Albanian music scene, Besnik curates our diverse lineup of performers.
Drita Shala
Community Manager
Menaxhere Komuniteti
Drita works tirelessly to connect with Albanian families across Denmark and beyond.
Voices
What People Say
“Besa Festival made me feel connected to my roots even thousands of kilometers from Albania. It was like being home again.”
Lindita M.
Copenhagen
“My children finally understood what Besa means through experiencing it firsthand. This festival is invaluable for our community.”
Dritan K.
Aarhus