Procession of the Black Madonna: Albanian and Croatian Pilgrims in Letnica. 15.06.2026

The video shows pilgrims participating in the annual Assumption pilgrimage at the Church of the Black Madonna in Letnica. The figure of the Black Madonna is carried in procession around the church, while pilgrims follow closely behind in a ritual circumambulation. As they walk, they pray and chant in both Croatian and Albanian: Croat pilgrims use Croatian, while Albanian pilgrims pray and sing in Albanian. Some participants cross themselves, recite prayers, or quietly accompany the statue as it moves through the church grounds. The procession thus brings together different linguistic communities within the same ritual space, each addressing the sacred in its own language while participating in a shared act of devotion. Through movement, prayer, chanting, and collective presence, the area surrounding the church is temporarily transformed into a common ritual landscape. Video made by Arsim Canolli during fieldwork studying Letnice. Disclaimer: 15.08.2026.