Country Albania Administrative Unit Shishtavec Municipality Kukës | County Kukës Time zone CET (UTC+1) Municipal unit Shishtavec | |
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Novosej is one of the villages of the former Shishtavec Municipality which is part of the Kukës County in Albania. At the 2015 local government reform it became part of the municipality Kukës.
Map of Novoseje, Albania
The region was isolated until 1978, when a road was built from Kukës to Shishtavec, which provided a link to the city of Kukës and the national highway. With no subsequent investment in the road, its condition deteriorated, but an initiative in 2012 has resulted in it being upgraded, and a 6-kilometre (3.7 mi) extension being built. There are proposals for an additional 15 kilometres (9.3 mi), which will open up the area. In addition to the road, the initiative, which is funded by the Albanian Development Fund, has provided a water supply for Novosej and the nearby villages of Borje, Shtrezë and Oreshkë.
The village is located in the Shishtaveci Alps, an area of natural beauty, and as well as providing access to Kukës, the road will enable tourism to develop, while the water supply should assist the development of agriculture and livestock farming.
The village holds a traditional celebration of "Saint George" each May. This has been encouraged by the Rural Association Support Programme, a not-for-profit organisation established in 1997 to promote sustainable development and tourism in Albania. Several sporting events are held on the first day of the festival, including horse riding, wrestling and football. In the afternoon, "potka" are collected, accompanied by music and dancing. "Potka" consists of fresh leaves from the white birch tree, and these are placed in water, together with eggs, and the water is then used to wash children. After this, the potka are placed in items of importance, such as houses, gardens and cars, and the following morning are taken to agricultural holdings. The 2009 festival was supported by many from other villages in the region, together with visitors from other parts of Albania and abroad.
Near to the village is the Novosej Oak-forest, some 3 hectares (7.4 acres) of oak woods, situated at an altitude of 1,410 metres (4,630 ft) above sea level.