Albanian Polyphony at the Center of a Legal Dispute: A Fight for Cultural Authenticity

An Albanian folk polyphonic group from the Labëria area

Historian Fitim Çaushi has filed a lawsuit in court, arguing that Albanian polyphony has been misrepresented as isopolyphony. The case, currently under review by Judge Gentiana Xhelili, names former Director of the Directorate of Intangible Heritage, Vasil Tole, and the Ministry of Culture as defendants.

According to Çaushi, this misrepresentation occurred when Albania registered this musical tradition with UNESCO in 2005 under the term isopolyphony, allegedly incorporating references to Greek sirens and distorting the authentic cultural heritage of Labëria, Toskëria, and Çamëria.

The historian demands that the court compel state institutions to withdraw the current UNESCO file and submit a revised application recognizing Albanian polyphony based on academic research. He argues that this step is crucial to preserving the integrity of one of Albania’s most distinctive musical traditions.

Albanian polyphonic singing, performed a cappella in southern Albania, is characterized by the interplay between the "marrës" (lead singer) and the "hedhës" (second voice), while the group sustains the "iso" (drone sound). This issue has previously been examined by the civil court, yet the debate over the proper recognition of this unique tradition persists.

This legal battle is not just about terminology; it is a broader fight for the rightful acknowledgment of Albanian heritage, ensuring that the historical and cultural identity of this ancient musical form remains distinct and unaltered.