Calendar – April 14

On April 14, 1892, the emblematic composer Thoma Nassi, instrumentalist, conductor and composer, was born in Dardha of Korça. He was one of the founders of concert life and musical education in Albania, founder of the VATRA band, of the Society of Fine Arts in Korça and of the official band of the Albanian state.
He emigrated to the United States of America on May 6, 1910. In 1918, after studying at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, he graduated in flute. In 1918, he entered the US Army and became the leader of a military band at Camp Devens, Massachusetts. Thoma Nasi was released from duty in the US army in 1920 and in that same year he along with the “Vatra” band came to Albania to support the War of Vlora against the Italian occupiers. After the victory of the Battle for Vlora, the “Vatra” band traveled throughout South Albania, settled in Korça in the years 1920-1925 and in Tirana in 1926. Thomas Nasi organized the music school system in Albania and the musical life of Korça. He left Albania with his family in 1926. Thoma Nasi passed away at the age of 72 on December 14, 1964 in Orleans of Massachusetts.
On April 14, 1932, the talented actor and director Pirro Mani was born. Graduated in Cinematography in Moscow, in 1961 he returned to Albania and was appointed director at the “Andon Zako Çajupi” theater of Korça. After 5 years of successful career, Pirro Mani came in Titana as director and actor in the People’s Theater of Tirana. The first work he prepared for the public in the capital was Loni Papa’s “Cuca e maleve”. Pirro Mani is the winner of many awards and has been honored with the High Title “People’s Artist”. Pirro Mani passed away in June 3, 2021 in the United States.
April 14, 1937 is the date of the Decision of the Ministry of Education of the Royal government of Albania to prohibit importation of books, brochures and press from abroad. The decision was based on the press law that imposed censorship on written and spoken propaganda that was against the current order.
On April 14, 1939, Radio Tirana began broadcasting shows in foreign languages.
In April 1966, Albanian archaeologists discovered the Amphitheater of Durrës that was built about 19 centuries ago. The amphitheater of Durrës is evidence of ancient traditions in the construction of gigantic monumental works. The amphitheater of Durrës has a special architectural and artistic value. It can be compared with the monuments of this period of Pompeii and Capua in Italy. The amphitheater has an elliptical shape with a diameter of 136 meters and a height of about 20 meters. The white-tiled spectator staircase held 16-20,000 people.
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