THE STARS OF ALBANIAN SCENE | ZEF JUBANI (1910-1958)

 

ZEF JUBANI (1910 - 1958)

Actor of  "Migjeni" Theater. "People`s Artist"

It`s the one of the special cases the birth and death date of the actor from Shkodra. He was born in Shkodra on December 2, 1910 and passed away on December 1, 1958, one day before his birthday !!!
He attended the Jesuit school in his hometown, and participated in the performances organized by it, appearing on stage for the first time in 1925. In the '30s he became active as an amateur actor in the theater groups of well-known cultural societies "Vllaznia" and "Bogdani", as were the performances: “The Road of the Abyss”, “The Font of the Swords”, “Moisi Golemi-Prince of Dibra”, “Two Princes for a Girl”, “The Return of Gjergj Kastriot to Croia”, etc.
After several performances that were prepared by the central theater group at the Shkodra Club of Culture, in 1949, he was one of the founding actors of the "Migjeni" theater in Shkodra.
He soon became the main actor, with the roles of the protagonists, on the stage of this theater. In 40 artistic figures that he created masterfully, he stood out especially in the performances of parts from the Albanian dramaturgy, such as: “Seven shalians”, “The return” , “The down”, “The crown of  Nuria”, while from the world dramaturgy he played in the main roles in the parts Moliere's Truffle, “The servent of two lords” by Goldon, “Barber of Seville” by Bomarshese, “Nora” of Ibsen etc.

One of his most impressive figures was that of Tuc Makut in the drama “Our Land” writen by Kole Jakova, in 1954. In 1952, he created the difficult Molerian figure, Harpagon, in the comedy “The Miser” (Kopraci). With this role he reached the peak of his artistic career as well as of the "Migjeni" theater of that time, as, on the other hand, marks one of the highest points of Albanian acting in general.
The power of Mr. Jubani's acting interpretation in the many roles he performed, is distinguished for the complete alienation of himself in the figure, for the intonations variety, for the plastic and expressive mimicry, for the emotional impulse and explosive temperament, for the energies of movement and expression of gesture, as well as for the high suitability to the situations and character of the action.
These qualities have made him one of the most famous actors of the Albanian theater. Mr. Juban's life was interrupted quickly, before he reached the age of fifty, and he even died on the stage of the “Migeni” Theater, on December 1, 1958, a day before the premiere of the first Albanian opera “Mrika” by Prenk Jakova, in which he was also engaged. Holds the title "People's Artist".

THE STARS OF ALBANIAN SCENE | QENAN TORO!

 QENAN TORO

Classic Actor of Albanian "Teatri Popullor"

Born in Tirana on December 30, 1931.
He used to be a financier in the Bank for several years. His special passion was to become an actor, and so in 1950 he issued his workbook as a banker to be admitted to the “People`s Theater”. In 1954 he graduated from the Art High School "Jordan Misja" and in the same year he started his activity as an actor in the Theater. His voice with a special ringing timbre was a gift that nature had given him. Performed in over 80 roles in the theater. Initially plays a series of complementary episodic roles but then since 1954 begins to be the protagonist. In the same year, he played the first role in the comedy "Girl from the village", the main role of the party secretary. 1956 was a special year where he played 7 roles within a year. He has a long career of 35 years where of course he is distinguished in many roles such as: Ribakov "Kremlin Hours", Leka "Perkolginait", Learti "Hamlet", Prosecutor "Leipzig Process ",  "The Mountain Maiden "," Arturo Ui " and in dozens of other parts until the mid-80s.

Qenan Toro has also been a director where in the drama "Pomegranate Flowers" remains his best performance. 

While in Cinematography he has played a few roles: Debatik (1961), “Our land” (1964), Shpresa (1988). From a disease in the larynx he was forced to play secondary and episodic roles, inclined as an actor towards positive characters, virtuous people, willing leaders, but there were also negative roles such as those with vices and criminalized figures His most successful roles are in the plays: "Othello"; "King Lear"; "Over the Ruins"; "The Fisherman's Family"; "Doctor Alex"; "Three Rifle Shots"; "; The second face"; "Events in the factory": "Year` 41 ";" Our land "; "Pomegranate flowers "etc.

 

He has also performed in many shows of the time on Radio Tirana, dramatizations or "The Artistic Word in the microphone", thanks to the gift of his voice. In 1988 he retires. He passed away on December 1, 1989.

GREAT ALBANIAN DIRECTORS | KRISTAQ MITRO

 

KRISTAQ MITRO

Director, screenwriter
“Merited Artist”

The prominent Albanian director was born in Vlora on December 1, 1945, where he graduated from the general high school. He finished his studies at the ILA-Institute of Arts in the field of drama, starting immediately working as an assistant director at the Kinostudio "New Albania" with the films: "When a day dawned" - 1971, where he also plays as an actor in the role of a partisan, “Stars of long nights”  - 1972.

He started his independent work as a director with the documentary films "Basketball player number 10" - 1972 / "Why do children cry" - 1973, where he was distinguished by his creative skills.
After shooting several other documentaries, where he stood out especially with the theme of children "1000 questions why?" - 1975, began the long journey of uninterrupted collaboration with his school friend Ibrahim Muca and shooting their first film "The Last Winter" in 1976, a film which resonated inside and outside Albania, being honored with the Medal for Best Director at the First Albanian Film Festival - 1976. With this film, the distinctive features of these two directors were expressed. such as laconicism, rhythm and temporism, sparing tools, avoiding excessive explanatory elements, etc.

With their second film, "The bloody land" - 1976, the attempts to penetrate into the inner world of man begin and emphasize the creation of the general realistic atmosphere of the time when the events take place, giving them a truth. In the other film "Freedom or death" (two series) - 1979, are given some characteristic monumental episodes such as that of the Mashkullore war as well as warm lyrical episodes such as that of the meeting of Cerciz Topulli with his wife built with a pure language that felt more than the characters themselves. "The Good Man" - 1982 marks a further maturity and consolidation of  directors, Mitro - Muca. The artistic details, the mise-en-scène are in full function with the actions of the characters.

This film was announced as the best film at the 5th Albanian Film Festival - 1983 and with the same film took part in the Cairo International Film Festival where it been awarded with the Jury Prize.
The creative path of Mitro - Muca is always connected in the attempts to master man; the striking and figurative dissection full of details and artistic figures that set in motion the viewer's mind by creating works with constant and dramatic tension within a simple line and without overload. In recent years, Mitro-Muca has had a distinctive feature of its tendency towards contemporary themes, trying to bring to the screen the most important ideas, conflicts and problems of the time. A further step towards creating individuality were the films:

"Love your name" - 1984 and "The phone of a morning" - 1987. Kristaq Mitro has made 8 documentaries, 10 feature films as a co-author with I. Muca and has written several screenplays for cartoons. To be mentioned are other films such as: "The Bride and the Siege" - 1978 / "On the verge of freedom" - 1981 / "Appassionata" - 1983 / "A boy and a girl" - 1990. Documentary films: "September on the track "- 1973 /" Brigade born in the storm "- 1974 /" Cotton discipline - 1974 / "Partisans Go on" - 1974 / "The road to success" - 1974 / “Our Enver "- 1985 as well as the script of the cartoon" The boy from the snow ”- 1983. For his creativity he was honored in 1987 with the title of Merited Artist.
He has also given his contribution as a lecturer at the University of Arts of Tirana in the field of film directing and television.

THE STARS OF ALBANIAN SCENE | OLTA DAKU!

 

OLTA DAKU

Actress of the Albanian National Theater.
Born in Tirana on December 1, 1976, she belongs to the "new" generation of actors who approached after the 90's to continue on the path of actors of the golden generation that made the history of theater and films.
She initially studied music but changed course by graduating as an actress at the Academy of Arts in the branch of drama from the professor, well-known actor Mario Ashiku in 2001. For two years until 2003 she engaged in the National Theater in several roles. After 2003, she was appointed actress, the place where she still works today. He graduated mainly with the comedy "Carnival of Korca" in the role of Aphrodite. Then she interprets in other theatrical parts such as: "The second chapter", in the role of Feit / "There is no satiety", as Mother / "The cat on the hot roof" as Ida etc.
She has been distinguished for her artistic talent and individuality in several other roles outside of TK, in the parts "Vita brevis" / "Three jokes" by Cehovi / "The torn couple" etc. In 2019, she interprets Willy Russell's comedy "Shirli Valentina" in "arTurbina", a role with which she won the "Best Actress" award at the Korca Comedy Festival - 2020 at "Koko-Fest".
She has also acted in some roles in films after the 90's that for the sake of truth should be said limping the quality of the theme, the lack of script and the quality of realism, putting the Albanian film of the transition period in crisis, even though we live in the times of technology and contemporary tools in the making of films.
“Oh how good” - 2013 (Jana) / “Women” - 2013 (Nada) / “Unfinished portrait” - 2019 (Dolores) .

LUFTAR PAJA | THE STARS OF ALBANIAN SCENE

 

Actor of the "Estrada" troup of Fier, Albanian National Theater and Albanian Cinematography.  

"People's Artist". 

He was born in Gorishova, Mallakastra, on December 1, 1941.

Since he was a young age, his talent as an actor stands out, where he became active in the ‘60s in the amateur movement of Patos, Fier, etc. His talent also stood out in his first competition, in 1957, with a variety in which he won first prize. From the years 1960-1968 he participates in theatrical performances in the Culture Club "Mustafa Matohiti" of Patos. He was awarded the first prize medal in 1969, for his contribution to amateur groups, was honored with the first class Naim Frashëri medal. In 1968 he was appointed a professional actor in the “Estrada” Fier (a variety show). A comic actor with outstanding data, a master of portraying many figures, where for more than 20 years he has given a special contribution to Albanian humor. From 1968 to 1991 he participated in all the plays given by Estrada, but also by the Theater (in 1971 he was one of the first in the creation of the "Bylis" Theater, Fier) in the satirical dramas "Unforgettable Years" , dramatization based on the motives of the novel "Before Dawn"  by Shefqet Musaraj.

He played the role of Halil Shkoza in the satirical drama "The Second Face" by Dritëro Agolli, in collaboration with the Lushnja Variety troupe (estrada) , under the direction of Leka Bungo, he performed in the comedy "Snowflake in April" . In 1987 he played the role of Thoma Çakshiri in the part "Rain on the beach"  by Teodor Laço, and later, he played the role of Thoma Kaçaroi in the comedy "A half fool", by Greek author Dhimitër Psathai, directed by Arqile Garon.

He continued his engagement in the dramatic theater even after he became part of the National Theater in 1993. He is one of the main performers in the comedy "8 plus persons" by Ferdinand Radi with the role of Ceco, then he realized the figure of Langada in "Oportunescu" by T. Mushatescu , Osipim of Gogol's "Inspector" , as well as the parts "The pleasure of Armchair and bed"  , "Wooden plate" , "Millionaire" etc. 

He has realized in theater, variety (estrada) and film, about 300 figures, most of which are main. Since 1970 he has participated in all the concerts and New Year Eve programs prepared by Television (TVSH).

Among the most accomplished figures on the stage we mention Çobo Rrapushi, in the play "Çobo Rrapushi with friends" , Gani Llapa in "Lightning from the mountain" , Ballisti Refat in "Confused war" , storekeeper Kozmai in "The store" , the news worker in “Kardiaku ", Servet in" Servet Bey gives solutions " (Servet beu jep zgjidhje), the guest in " The Guest "  , Canja in " They stole Cane`s cow "  and many, many others and in hundreds of sketches and comedies with one act. He has participated in about 15 feature films, starting from the film "New Shelter" (1977), in the role of Uncle Brahos, Velo Sadiku in "Hoods on the Wire"  (1977), "General gramophone” (1978), Father in" Spring in Gjirokastra ”  (1978), Hanxhiu in“ The Way of Letters” (1978), Kadri Kanani in“ Counselors ” (1979), Koli Kola in“ Dream for a Chair ” (1984), Çobani in“ The Stones of My Home ”  (1985), Captain Raufi in "After the last meeting", and finally in the comedy "After a news" (2001) on TVSH.

For quality contribution he was awarded the first three prizes in “Estradas” competitions, while at the Humor Festival in May 1996, which took place in Tirana, he was named "Best Actor of his career". He was also awarded the medal "Naim Frashëri", the title "Merited Artist", in 1979, the title "People's Artist", in August 1991, while in 2001 he was declared an honorary citizen of Fier. On May 31, 2005 he was awarded the title of Honor of the Fier Region and many other awards and orders.

From 1978 to 1991 he was a deputy of Libofsha in the Albanian Parliament.

700 over the shoulder roles and 130 “estrada” premieres are years of work that have not exhausted the artist’s passion for humorous figures.
Other roles: (2002) The gravedigger  in "The Cursed Guest" by I. Bezhan; (2004) The police in the "The pleasure of Bed and armchair"; (2004) Sorollopi in Floq's "Akraballekt"; (2005) Thomai in "A half fool", (2005) Samiu in "Wooden plate", (2009) Barber in "Shorn and shaved" by B. Kozeli.

For more info. click the link below:

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THE SCENIC ALMANAK | DECEMBER 1st

 

Born on this date:

Comedian Luftar Paja, film director Kristaq Mitro, National Theater actress Olta Daku. 

Happy Birthday!

ANASTAS KRISTOFORI | ALBANIAN MERITED ARTIST

 

ANASTAS KRISTOFORI

Successful actor of Albanian theater and cinema. He was born exactly on the day of independence, exactly on November 28, 1943 in the village of Vuno in the district of Vlora. A very famous actor both on the Theater stage and through the screen in the Film. He graduated as the actor from Institute of Arts, branch of drama in 1970 and immediately afterwards was appointed to the “Peoples Theater”. He worked here until he retired in 2003. A. Kristofori stood out since he was a student with the role of Karandishev in Ostrovski's drama "Girl without a dowry"  in v. 1970. His talents to characterize original figures, accompanied by a sense of humor, by the concrete word as well as by the sense of authenticity, gave him the chance to be an actor preferred in many of the performances of the National Theater as in "Fisherman's family" , "Dawn of the year 45" , “Marks me too" , " Communists "  ,"Under the stage lights"  ," Stairs " etc. One of his most prominent roles was that of director in A. Balash's comedy "Palace 176"  

In cinematography, his first role will be in 1976 as Stavri, the economist of the poor shelter in the movie " Poppy on the Walls". Later he will continue with other roles like: Ndoc Marku in “The red pledge“ in 1982, the role of Mr. Antonio, the Questor of Tirana in the "Decision" movie in 1984, the role of Mr. Mavrojanis in the film "Mission acroos the sea"  in 1988, etc.

Anastas Kristofori was one of the most successful passionate reciters of Albanian poetry. After the 90s he was for a while the director of the National Theater. For his artistic merits Anastas Christofori has been awarded the high title "Merited Artist". PHOTOGALLERY: https://www.facebook.com/pg/ksh.faqjazyrtare/photos/?tab=album&album_id=618904708169401

 

THE SCENIC ALMANAC | ALMANAKU SKENIK

 The Scenic Almanac | November, 28

We remember today, on this historic date for our country, the birth and separation from life of our 4 artists who unfortunately no longer live.

Born on this date:

Koco Devole (1943 – 2020) Comedian, caricaturist, screenwriter, director and show men.

Agim Zajmi (1936-2013) Scenographer, painter, lecturer! People's Painter and "Professor"

Anastas Kondo (1937 – 2006) Writer, screenwriter. He is the author of the screenplay for the movie "Last Winter".

As well as separation from life

Elida Cangonji (1953 – 2016) Actress and psychologist

Honor and respect! Unforgettable!

 

 

KOCO DEVOLE (1943 – 2020)

Comedian, caricaturist, screenwriter, director and show men.

He was born in Kuçova on November 28, 1945, to a family originally from Poloska in Korça. He remains one of the most famous personalities of Albanian humor. His roles on stage and screen are among the best known to the Albanian public.

Since 1946, together with his family, he moved to Tirana. Studied mechanical engineering for two years at the University of Tirana. In his sophomore year of high school he auditioned for drama at the Academy of Arts, and did not win, calling him untalented. However, he will find another way to enter the Scenic Art so as not to leave it anymore even occupy a place of honor in this genre. He worked as an actor and director of the Army Central House Variety, in the magazine "Hosteni" as a cartoonist. During the years 1970-1977 Devole was sent several times to forced labor for ideological "mistakes" in the performing arts. In 1978, Devole started working for the Albanian Television TVSH as an editor, screenwriter and director of artistic programs. In 1997, when the Socialists took power, the Director of RTSH dismissed him as incompetent. Devole is forced to emigrate with his family to the US.

In 2004 - 2005 he worked as a director and screenwriter in the show "Fiks Fare" as well as in the humorous show "Portokalli" Koço Devole is the author and director of many stage shows with the variety troupe of Tirana, Fier, Berat, etc. He was a screenwriter and actor in the New Year Shows of RTSH in the years 1980-1997. He has directed and acted in many of these comedies: Last Hunt 1992 ; Black bag 1986 ; Dead or Alive 

Stage and TV Comedy. The bag with a million 1993 ; Great appetite 1995 ; Revolver of a Hero 1996  ; In Rome for Holiday 1996 ;  Three friends without a maid 2000 ; Millionaires 2005 ; Karafil and Cleopatra ; Comrade Sillo is looking for a wife ; Once upon a time in Albania 2009… .. In 1997, together with Agron Llaken in "Telebingo ", his humor had a real shine.

The graeat artist Koco Devole, passed away on November 6, 2020.

PHOTOGALLERY : https://www.facebook.com/pg/ksh.faqjazyrtare/photos/?tab=album&album_id=812403558819514

 

 

AGIM ZAJMI (1936-2013)

Scenographer, painter, lecturer! People's Painter and "Professor"  

He was born in Tirana on November 28. His family moved from Peja, Kosovo, Albania in 1920. In 1957, he graduated from the Artistic High School "Jordan Misja" in Tirana and then began his higher studies in scenography at the Academy of Arts in Leningrad (today St. Petersburg). , in the former Soviet Union, which ends in v. 1961. Initially worked as a scenographer at the Opera and Ballet Theater, continued at the People's Theater, further (1978) as a lecturer at the High Institute of Arts until retiring in v. 2003. In over 40 years of uninterrupted work, with extensive creativity, he has realized more than 250 projects in scenography, from national and world drama, collaborating with many theaters in the Albanian expanse  (Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia). In addition to scenography and costume design A. Zajmi is also known as an easel painter with many landscapes, compositional paintings, portraits, etc. He also has a valuable contribution as a professor of scenography at the Academy of Arts, teaching and training hundreds of young artists. He was president of the National Association of Figurative Artists based in Tirana. He holds the title "People's Painter", and the university title "Professor". A. Zajmi passed away on November 3, 2013.

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ELIDA CANGONJI (October 31, 1953 - November 28, 2016)

Actress, doctor and psychologist

Born on October 31, 1953 in Tirana. Coincidentally, she started her career as an actress, although small with some feature films, but with so few interpretations, it must be said that she did accomplished roles. When they told her that she could play in the film, they even offered her the lead role, she stepped up a bit, refused, but still driven by inner curiosity and of course by a somewhat adventurous motive ... she accepted.

Deda's Zana, Shpetimi`s Vera, Mato Gruda's Zana again, or Kanan`s Teacher, she was the same, the young actress who was selected by the directors as the different image of the film. The assistant director at the time, Sajmir Kumbaro, stood out as she took the bus to go to the medical faculty in the same place with  many of those who worked at Kinostudio, used to get it too. So, after her audition for the film, she joined the crew in Tropoja in the shooting of the film "White Roads" , in the well-known role of Zana, which is her first film in 1974.

Elida Cangoj has worked with well-known directors of Albanian film such as: Viktor Gika, Gëzim Erebara, Muharrem Fejzo, having as partners great actors such as Rikard Ljarja, Timo Flloko, Astrit Cerma, Minella Borova to add later on the wonderful actor such Robert Ndrenika , and actresses  Tinka Kurti, Drita Pelingu etc. Elida Cangonji, together with her Danish husband, had their residence in the south of France. After working as a general doctor, then as a pediatrician she also practiced the profession of child psychologist. She passed away after a serious illness on November 28, 2016 in France where he lived for a long time.  

Filmography : White Streets - (1974) .... Zana; Early Summer  - (1975) ..... Vera; The Explosion  - (1974); Paths of War   - (1974); The Man with the Cannon  - (1977); On the border of two legends - (1981)

PHOTOGALLERY: https://www.facebook.com/pg/ksh.faqjazyrtare/photos/?tab=album&album_id=3563027830423726