Drita Agolli, the first Albanian graduated director, would celebrate her 97th birthday today.

The “nameless” book of the famous Albanian actress, director and pedagogue was presented in its reprint in the lobby of the University of Arts, among family members, colleagues, professors, her former students and people on stage.

In 1954 Drita Agolli attended higher studies at the Institute of Fine Arts in Bucharest, for scenography and theater costumes. In September 1956 he continued his higher studies in the former Soviet Union, at the Moscow Institute of Dramatic Art, directing theater. After graduating in 1960, she was appointed to the People’s Theater as an actress, but after 1963, now a director at the National Theater, she staged several successful pieces of world and national drama.

Drita Agolli was born on June 2, 1925 in Maqellarë of Peshkopi. She is a well-known Albanian actress, director and pedagogue.
In 1950 she started working at the People’s Theater as an actress. Drita Agolli’s first role was as Marieli in “Voice of America” ​​by Lavrenjev in 1951. In 1954 Drita Agolli studied at the Institute of Fine Arts in Bucharest, Romania, for scenography and theater costumes. In September 1956 she continued her higher studies in the former Soviet Union at the Lunacharsky Institute of Dramatic Art in Moscow (GITIS) for theater directing. After graduating in Albania, in 1960 she started work as an actress at the People’s Theater, but after 1963, she woked as a director at the National Theater. She staged some successful pieces of world and national drama.

As actresses we mention the roles of Mariel “Voice of America”, Bianca “Otello”, Gertrude “Hamlet”, Klea “Fox and grapes”, Ortensia “Lady of the guesthouse”, Drita “On the ruins”, Elena Andrejevna “Gardener’s Dog”, Donna Lucia “Korça Carnivals”, etc.

As a director, she has acted on the stage of the National Theater and in several stages in other cities of the country: “Storm”, “Neon Lamp”, “Fiery Earth”, “Dead River”, “Infidelity”, “Louise Miller”, Fisherman’s family, “People of the depths”, “At the bridge”, “Prodigal son”, “Mark me too”, “Marianida Pineda”, “Man, virtue and animal”, etc.

Drita Agolli is also appreciated for her valuable contribution as a lecturer in the Department of Dramatic Art of the Higher Institute of Arts, today the Academy of Fine Arts, preparing several generations of actors, who are considered today as a treasure of Albanian dramatic and cinematographic art. In 1974 he was appointed Head of the Department of Dramaturgy of that Institute.

Recognizing her talent, professional artistic and pedagogical preparation, as well as the tireless commitment of this artist to raising and highlighting the values ​​of Albanian dramatic art, actress, director and pedagogue Drita Agolli is honored with the title “Merited Artist” in 1985. While in 2001, she was honored with the highest title “Grand Master” by the President of the Republic of Albania.

Drita Agolli has published a series of critical articles in the field of scenic art, as well as an autobiographical book “The Nameless”.Drita Agolli passed away in 2017.

/Klara Ruci/