Dita e Verës (Summer Day)

Plum tree in bloom

Last Wednesday, roughly a week before the vernal equinox, Albania celebrated a national holiday called "summer day." All government offices and many shops were closed.

I was a little surprised on my run that morning to see crowds of people walking in and towards the city park. Normally at that time of day (6:30 am) the city streets are quiet and empty, and  only a handful walkers or joggers are seen in the park. But on this day, dozens of vendors already were laying out their wares on the main avenue in the park. Others were firing up grills to cook savory snacks for sale. I saw several park visitors happily yanking flower-laden branches off the park's mimosa trees (which about a week ago had burst into fragrant yellow blooms).

The municipality of Tirana marked the day by stringing colorful plastic flowers above the main avenue. (On Tuesday, I noticed that one of the bouquets was dangling precariously from one leaf, threatening to fall on cars passing below).

Happily, the city closed off the main street to vehicular traffic on Wednesday. By mid-morning pedestrians had flooded the avenue, walking back and forth and enjoying the fine weather.

There were so many walkers that even motorbikes could not squeeze in. (Motorbikes are not exactly considered vehicular traffic here. They frequently drive on the sidewalks and in the park, so they're more like a  hybrid between a pedestrian and a vehicle).
 

That day marked a turning point in peoples' minds. Even though temperatures are still dipping into the high 30s at night, I notice far more people walking and running in the park than the day before the holiday. All the cafes and coffee shops that offer outdoor seating have dragged out their tables and chairs. Everyone seems just a little bit more cheerful now that winter is gone.