Four years ago, on June 3, 2021, one of the most prominent figures of Albanian theatre, Pirro Mani, passed away.

Pirro Mani was born on April 14, 1932, in Korçë. He remains one of the most brilliant theatre directors. He studied at the High Institute of Cinematography in Moscow. In 1961, he returned to Albania and became director of the “Andon Zako Çajupi” Theatre in Korçë. He led the theatre for 8 years.

Together with Pandi Raidhi, Dhorkë and Dhimitër Orgocka, Thimi Filipi, Stavri Shkurti, and others, he created works of lasting value. These plays left a deep impression on theatre lovers. Some of them include “Shadows of the Night” by Vedat Kokona, which showed outstanding directing and acting.

After a strong start to his career, Mani became a director and actor at the People’s Theatre in Tirana. The first play he staged for the capital’s audience was “The Mountain Girl” by Loni Papa.

He was an excellent director and teacher. For 25 years, he worked at the National Theatre, directing dozens of plays. His artistic career includes over 80 performances. His most remembered film role was Sali Protopapa in “The Eighth in Bronze” (1970).

As a teacher of Acting and Directing at the Higher Institute of Arts, he trained many future actors and directors. From 1974 to 1978, he also served as Head of the Directing Department there.

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