Leka Bungo, the well-known Albanian director, actor, and screenwriter,passed on Tuesday at the age of 81. His funeral will take place on Wednesday, June 11, at 16:00, at Sharra Cemetery.

His daughter, Alba Bungo, shared the news. She said he lost his battle with what she called “the most serious disease of the century.” In a moving tribute posted on social media, she wrote:

“Today I must do the hardest thing in my life: say goodbye forever. To the one I loved most, who taught me everything, forgave me everything, and earned my full trust. You lived with dignity, that’s why I called you king. You fought the hardest illness of the century and lost. Rest in peace. Thank you for being my father. I will always be proud and endlessly grateful. You were and will remain my greatest love. Great people live the way you did. You respected life like no one else. Farewell, until we meet again in the way only we knew. I love you, my little one. Rest with the angels, my angel”.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Edi Rama also paid tribute. In a brief message, he wrote: “Farewell, my friend Leka Bungo. Rest in peace”.

Born on February 28, 1944, in Vlora, Bungo rose to prominence in Albanian theatre, film, and television. He graduated from the “Aleksandër Moisiu” acting school and later studied directing at the Higher Institute of Arts.

Bungo began his career as a director at the Bylis Theatre in Fier. Later, he joined the State Estrada, where he created satirical performances that tackled social issues. After the 1990s, he founded the private theatre “Rubairat,” an important cultural initiative located at the entrance of the National Theatre.

In 2002, he moved to the United States. However, he stayed active in the arts. He wrote plays and film scripts such as ‘Unfaithful’ and ‘Beyond This Place’. Additionally, he acted in several films, including ‘A Boy and a Girl’ (1990), where he played Bardhyl.

In 1998, he launched the private TV station “Kombi.” By 2001, he had joined the Steering Council of Albanian Radio and Television. In 2016, he directed the TV series ‘Rrokulisja’, based on the events of 1997. From 2021 until February 2025, he served as Chairman of RTSH’s Steering Council.

In conclusion, with Leka Bungo’s passing, Albanian culture loses a major figure, one who shaped the nation’s artistic scene for decades. His legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

/a.p./