On January 13, 1963, the first Albanian ballet, “Halili and Hajria”, was staged.

This ballet was forged from the subject of the drama with the same title, written in 1949, by Kolë Jakova. Hymnizing the great deeds of the warriors of the Great Highlands against the Turkish yoke (in the 18th century) would inspire Tish Dahia to compose the melodic line. The choreographic expressions of Panajot Kanaci were performed by the troupe of dancers of the Opera and Ballet Theater (TOB).

The first performers in the role of Halil were Xhemil Simixhi, Kristaq Rada and Llaqi Nako and in the role of Hajria, Ganimet Vendresha and Zoica Haxho, while in the other roles were Luan Shtino, Miltiadh Papa, Agron Aliajt, Skënder Jazexhiut, etc.

On December 12, 1973, it was played for the 150th time, while on the stage of the National Opera and Ballet Theater and abroad it was played over 250 times. In the tournaments in Greece, Italy, Turkey, France, there was indisputable success. It was staged in France by a French troupe, then also in Prishtina. In both cases, the ballet master was the great Panajot Kanaçi.

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