Editing Pogradec (section)

== Culture ==

[[File:Pogradec_Promenade.jpg|thumb|left|Writer Statue in Pogradec]][[File:Pogradec, Albania street.jpg|thumb|The main street of Pogradec]]

Pogradec is well known for its famous writers and poets such as [[Lasgush Poradeci]] and [[Mitrush Kuteli]], and lately [[Luan Starova]]. Their works are a crucial part of Albanian literature.

The main characters of Luan Starova's cycle of novels, "The Balkan Saga", are the author's own parents and their family, who fled Pogradec for Macedonia during World War II. Separated from their old hometown and their relatives by the Albania-Yugoslavia border during the [[Enver Hoxha]]'s era, they would often look at Pogradec through a binocular from the vantage point of [[Monastery of Saint Naum]] on the other side of the lake.<ref>The theme repeats e.g. throughout ''The Museum of Atheism''</ref>

Pogradec is also the home of nationally and internationally acclaimed artist painters like Anastas Kostandini(Taso), Gjergji Lako, Gentian Zeka, Vangjo Vasili, Odhisea Dhima, Ilir Dhima, etc. All kinds of sports are practiced in town, especially by the youth.

Pogradec has a professional football team called [[KS Pogradeci]]. There are several varsity soccer teams mainly composed of high school students. Even [[volleyball]] and [[basketball]] are played competitively. During the summer, beach volleyball draws the attention of all the residents. Many professional volleyball teams from [[Albania]] and other Balkan countries participate in a championship which lasts about two weeks. Pogradeci team has been awarded the first prize several times. Other sports to mention are [[swimming (sport)|swimming]] and [[boxing]]. The boxing team, "Dragoi", is one of the top teams in the nation and has always trained champions.

Pogradec also has a rich folklore. Many songs and dances have been created throughout the centuries. Their themes are based on the beauty of the lake and a love for nature.

Some of the main recurring cultural events in the city are:

"Puppet Theater Festival" - Takes place every June. Participants vary from national to European level.

"Lake Day" - Takes place in 21 June. All the towns surrounding lake Ohrid (Pogradec, Ohrid and Struga) gather in a festival where local delicacies, including food and culture are showcased.
[[File:Mosque Pogradec Albania 2018 1.jpg|thumb|Mosque of Pogradec ]]
"Balkan Film Food Festival" - Takes place in September. Balkan movies, documentaries and culinary are showcased throughout the days of the festival.

"Wine Fest" - Takes place in December. Pogradec families compete together for the best homemade wine in the city. The days of the festival are accompanied by great food and live music.

[[File:Drilon, Pogradec (6).jpg|thumb|Drilon Park in Pogradec]] [[File:Lin_and_lake.jpg|thumb|Lin village north of Pogradec]]
[[File:Church in Pogradec.jpg|thumb|left|260px|Orthodox Church]] 
Pogradec area is very rich in cultural and natural monuments among which can be mentioned
*[[Pogradec Castle]]
*19th and 20th century historical center of the city of Pogradec
*Castle of Blace village
*Castle of [[Zemçë]] village
*Fortifications in the village of [[Slabinjë]]
*Prehistoric settlement of Zagradie in the village of [[Lin, Korçë|Lin]]
*Bridge near the villages [[Jollë]] and [[Llëngë]]
*Bridge near the village of [[Golik]]
*Bridge near the village of [[Niçë]]
*Bridge near the village of [[Çezmë]]
*Bridge in the village of [[Zgallë]]
*Bridge in the village of [[Servatinë]]
*Terziu Bridge in the village of [[Proptisht]]
*Fortification in the village of Shpellë in [[Mokra, Albania|Mokra]]
*[[St. Marina's Monastery]] in the village of [[Llëngë]]
*Paleo-Christian church and mosaics in the village of [[Lin, Korçë|Lin]]
*Byzantine church in the village of [[Lin, Korçë|Lin]]
*Mosaic in the village of [[Tushemisht]]
*[[Drilon]] water sources and swans park near Tushemisht
*[[Guri i Kamjes]] in [[Mokra, Albania|Mokra]]
*The karstic cave and small lake inside it above the village of [[Udënisht|Hudenisht]]