Nexhmije Pagarusha, otherwise known as the queen of Albanian music, was born in Pagarusha on May 7, 1933 and died on February 7, 2020.

Her 40-year musical career is so extensive that it is difficult to say which genre she belongs to. She is known for her excellent performances in folk music and opera.
Nexhmije Pagarusha was also a successful actress, both in film and theater.

She attended music school for solo singing in Belgrade, which she dropped out in the third year. She also had her first musical performance on stage in Belgrade. In 1948, she was accepted as a soloist at Radio Prishtina.

She also collaborated with singers from Albania and appeared in Albania with the ensemble “Shota” on the occasion of a tour.

“Baresha” is one of the masterpieces of her interpretation. This song was composed by her husband Rexho Mulliqi, with lyrics by the poet Rifat Kukaj.

Nexhmije Pagarusha performed the Albanian translated works of Beethoven, Puccini, Verdi, etc. in a classical music concert. This concert was the first of its kind. Unfortunately, none of the technical organizers had remembered to record this concert! Unfortunately, not even all the concerts and the repertoire of songs sung by her have been recorded, because, as she once said, only music was important to her; she and music were one. She is thought to have performed over 150 songs.

She was a participant of concerts in Kosovo, Albania, Bulgaria, etc. She ended her musical career in 1984, after a concert in Sarajevo.

In 2018, Pagarusha was awarded the “Medal of Appreciation” by the American president, Donald Trump. On February 7, 2020, Nexhmije Pagarusha passed away on February 7, 2020.

/k.s/