Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has sparked reactions after presenting UFC President Dana White with a traditional one-stringed instrument during their meeting ahead of the upcoming UFC event in Belgrade.
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Vučić reportedly presented the instrument as part of Serbian folklore.
There is, however, a small historical detail that makes the gift considerably more interesting: UNESCO recognized the “Art of Playing, Singing and Making the Lahuta” as Albanian intangible cultural heritage in 2025, following Albania's nomination. UNESCO specifically describes the tradition as belonging to rural communities in northern and northwestern Albania.
So, apparently, the Balkan rulebook has been updated:
If UNESCO recognizes it as Albanian, simply put a Serbian label on it and give it to Dana White.
Of course, Serbia has its own historic tradition of related bowed instruments, particularly the gusle, and the wider Balkan cultural landscape is complicated. But the Albanian lahuta tradition itself is now internationally documented by UNESCO.
That makes Vučić's presentation more than just an innocent cultural gift.
For Albanians, the image carries an uncomfortable message: even when international heritage institutions document a cultural tradition as Albanian, political symbolism can apparently try to repaint it in national colors.
Perhaps Dana White should have been handed a UFC belt instead.
At least nobody would need to argue over which country invented it.
In the Balkans, however, even a musical instrument can apparently enter the octagon.
And this time, UNESCO is already in the corner.