Theatre of Kosovo
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Theatre in Kosovo like the culture of Kosovo is a dual tradition.
Ethnic Albania theatre is based mostly on
Ethnic Serbian theatre tends to include more general Slavic influences, including Croatian and Slovenian influences, Russian and central Europe.
The National Theatre of Kosovo is based in Pristina, while every city has its own theatre.
History
Scarce archaeological and historical data do not provide enough data for the basic information about theatre in Kosovo from the ancient period until nowadays. Ocarina, a spiritual instrument made of dust from the Neolithic era, is among the first evidence that shows that 3,500 years ago, in Dardania there might have been a stage-musical life. Funeral Dardan dances (4th-2nd centuries BCE) found in Dardania, show further evidence that in death rites there were used scenic elements. But the most relevant evidence that proves that in Ancient Dardania theatre had a prosperous life, is the "Actor’s Head" (2nd century BCE) discovered in Ulpiana. In the following ages (Early Middle Ages) in Kosovo, as well as in other countries, theatrical scenes were basically used for religious needs, but also as entertaining events most likely in a variety of traditional celebrations (theatre games in the villages during the winter seasons, preserved by nowadays).
In the 19th and early on the 20th century, ordinary holidays or family partying in improvised environments such as porches or verandas of houses, surrounded by sheet carpets, were often followed by shows and plays (containing comics) containing songs and dances as well.
The very first theatre in modern-day
National Theatre of Kosovo (first named Regional Theatre and then Provincial People's Theatre) was founded in October 1946 in Prizren. This was the first professional theatrical institution in Kosovo after World War II. Very soon, a few months after its establishment, the theatre moved to the capital of Kosovo, Pristina.
Theatre in Prizren
Prizren has always been remarkable as the city where a variety of cultural events have been established. Theatre arts are an example of these cultural developments that had their start in Prizren, paving their way for success in other cities of Kosovo as well. Theatre arts in Prizren have started to develop around the 1880s, right after the first Albanian school was opened in 1878, when the first theatrical plays were most likely played by students in the first-opened schools. One of the first contributors that indicated the success of these plays were Mati Logoreci and Lazër Lumezi, both first instructors in Prizren schools, who worked diligently with the students.
Among other theatrical organizations, the most famous one was founded in 1920 and was called Shoqnija Zonja Ndihmëtare, which prepared its own plays also followed by a group of singers or choir. The evidences support the facts that Lazër Lumezi was the dramaturge for most of this organization's plays. One of such plays was the romantic play Gjenovefa e Brabanit (Brabani's Genovefa), which was inspired by the novel of Christopher Schmidt and showed vast success. Other plays performed by this organization were Gjykimi I të pafajit (The innocent's Trial), Otavi dhe Silvestri (Otav and Silverster), Bardhi dhe Ferdinandi (Bardh and Ferdinand), Nato (Nato), Nata e Kshnellash (Christmas Night), Zefi I njoftun (The famous Zef), Barinjtë e Betlemit (Bethlehem's Shepherds), Dredhite a Shaptukut (Shaptuk's Dodges), and Makaronat e Shejtanit (The Devil's Macaroni). Influenced by the current lifestyle in Kosovo, most of the plays had religious, heroic, and usually sad discourses. In holidays however, these plays were of an entertaining discourse, followed by
During the World War II, theatrical plays started to face a higher development. During the year 1942, virtuous plays became known in almost every city of Kosovo and the public enjoyed them. Among such plays we can mention Kryengritja e Bajram Currit (Bajram Curri's Rebellion), Mrizi I Zanave (The Fairies Breeze), Tartufi (Tartuffe), Vllavrasja (Brother Murder) etc. This activity was a continuous work of the instructor Lazër Lumezi. The most famous actors that played in these shows were Framush Gomilla, Gjon Delhysa and Matej Vuҫaj.
On 17 March 1949, the organisation called Komiteti I Rinisë Shqiptare decided to change its name into Shoqëria Kulturore-Artistike Agimi or SHKA Agimi, which brought to public some of the famous and hard-working artists whose talent will be remembered nowadays as well. The artists that were a part of this organisation were Kristë Berisha, Leze Spaҫi-Qena, Kolë B. Shiroka, Sefo Beto Krasniqi, Diana Vokshi, Ҫun Lajҫi, Bislim Muҫaj and Bekim Fehmiu.
In 1950, Prizren People's Council approved the decision of establishing the Amateur Theater of Prizren, and the preparation for different plays started immediately. The first plays were organized by Kristë Berisha, a well-known actor and director. One of the first and successful plays to be displayed by the group of this Theater was the play Urimi. The first actors that were a part of The Amateur Theater of Prizren were Kristë Berisha, Gjon Oroshi-Kola, Shaban Domi, Drita Dobroshi, Anton Ҫetta, Simon Krasniqi, Gjon Marku and many more. This group continued to work in The Amateur Theater until the foundation of the Professional Theater in Pristina.
Theatre in Gjakova
Gjakova's theatre was founded on 24 December 1977 with an ensemble of actors and actresses that consisted of former amateurs who once had graduated from acting in the framework of the Higher Pedagogical School in Pristina. Since the beginning of the work until today, its activities, the theatre developed under the influence of the personality of the actor Hadi Shehu, which was the director and also a protagonist in the most important plays. The directors of Gjakova's theatre have been Serbian and Albanian as well, but among them we can mention the directors of the last three generations of Kosovo such as Muharrem Qena, Ekrem Kryeziu, Atdhe Gashi, Fetah Mehmeti, Fadil Hysaj, Agim Sopi, Selami Taraku, Luan Dhaka, Agim Selimi, Ilir Bokshi, Haqif Mulliqi, Esat Brajshori, Zana Hoxha, etc. It is also necessary to mention one of the main contributors for this theatre - Sulejman Lokaj (alb. Sulejman Lokaj), who worked as a principal as well as an actor in the theatre from 1976 to 1992. Gjakova is known for its actors who continue their work nowadays as well. Among them we can mention Hadi Shehu, Hysen Binaku, Ramazan Berkani, Qefsere Berkani, Myrvete Kurtishi, Jahja Shehu, Ahmet Bakija, Armond Morina (alb. Armond Morina), Kushtrim Hoxha (alb. Kushtrim Hoxha) etc.
Theatre in Peć
The theatre of
Oda Theater
Dodona Theatre
Dodona Theatre (alb. Teatri Dodona; formerly known as The Theatre for Adults and Children) was established in 1986. It is a theatre where young artists, students, promote their artistic theatrical performances. The Dodona Theatre is also known as the ‘Puppet Theatre’ which consistently produces performances for children, using puppet dolls to create artistic plays. Dodona Theatre attended several international festivals, in which it was announced with very important art scenic awards.
References
- "Veprimtaria Në Fillim." Jehu I Talias. Prizren: Siprint, 2009. 73–96. Print.
- Hajdar Salihu. "Teatri Dhe Historiku I Tij Popullor." Teatri Popullor Në Gjakovë. By Din Mehmeti. Gjakovë: n.p., 1987. 3–10. Print.
- Fadil Hysaj. Theatri. 5-6 ed. Prishtinë: Shoqata Për Kultivimin E Artit SkenikSYTHI, 2000. Print.
- Rexhep Ismajli, and Mehmet Kraja. Kosova Vështrim Monografik. Prishtinë: Akademia E Shkencave Dhe E Arteve E Kosovës, 2011. Print.
- Sofijan. Bekim Fehmiu and "mental Maps" / Bekim Fehmiu Et Les "cartes Mentales" Digital image. Flickr. Yahoo!, 10 Feb. 2011. Web. 24 Feb. 2013