Japanese culture event in Albania

Japan's traditional music and folk dances have been presented to people in Albania.

The Japanese government organized the event, the first of its kind, to enhance understanding of Japan's culture among the Albanian people.

On Friday, more than 700 people enjoyed performances of Japanese flutes and a 3-stringed instrument called shamisen, as well as watching local folk dances at a theater in the capital, Tirana.

The audience erupted into applause when lion dancers approached Prime Minister Sali Berisha in an audience seat and tried to bite his head with the lion's mouth.

After becoming a communist state following World War Two, Albania isolated itself from the rest of the world until the 1980s, including from the former Soviet Union and China.

Japan has so far had limited exchanges with Albania, but hopes its economic assistance to the country will contribute to stability of the whole region.