Prespa Winter Fest on International Wetland Day
On Feb 2, 2019, the Transboundary Biosphere Reserve Prespa Project supported a Winter Fest on International Wetland Day in Prespa National Park in Albania. Prespa – Phase II is a development project of the Republic of Albania co-financed by the Federal Republic of Germany through KfW Development Bank, and implemented by a consortium led by GFA. H.E. the Minister of Tourism and Environment of Albania, Mr. Blendi Klosi, the General Director of the National Agency of Protected Areas, the Mayor of Pustec Municipality and the GFA Project Team Leader jointly opened the event. The Winter Fest, organized at the Pustec Center of Prespa National Park, aims at promoting the natural, cultural and traditional values of the Prespa region.The event brought together local stakeholders and institutions working in the Prespa Ecoregion. They highlighted the region's natural treasures, the potential of the developing tourism, culinary and cultural traditions, and special local products such as honey, mountain tea, fish, wine and raki - various fruit brandies.
The Winter Fest lasted all day, and was enriched by a wide variety of activities such as a school children competition and award, a wine degustation and competition, a photo exhibition by Korça and Pustec professional photographers, tasting of traditional dishes kindly prepared by local women, and dance group performances to the tunes of local folk music.Commemorating the International Wetland Day, the Winter Fest took place along the shores of Great Prespa Lake. The lake systems of the Macro and Micro Prespa Lakes are considered among the most important sites of freshwater biodiversity in Europe, and of extraordinary importance for sedentary and migratory birds.
The Prespa Ecoregion and its protected areas, the Ohrid- Prespa Biosphere Reserve and the Prespa National Park, are unique in terms of their natural and cultural heritage. Their ecosystems and habitats form part of the wider Mediterranean global hotspot of biodiversity.
For more information, watch a documentary on YouTube or retrieve more news about the Prespa Project at
AlbanianPrime Minister and Minister of Tourism and Environment visit TransboundaryBiosphere Reserve Prespa project area
Videopublished about the events on support to the the Ohrid-Prespa region in Albania
Sustainabletourism in the Ohrid-Prespa region in Albania
PresentingPrespa Ohrid Nature Trust and Transboundary Biosphere Reserve project in Tirana
Project:Transboundary biosphere reserve Prespa, phase II
