A special mural is being created on the building of Radio Television Albania in honor of the Albanian singer Vaçe Zela, who passed away on February 6, 2014.

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared on social media some moments from the creation of the mural by artist Maximiliano Debasko.

“The beautiful mural in Tirana, where the great Albanian singer Vaçe Zela is being commemorated,” Rama wrote.

Internationally acclaimed artist Maximiliano Debasko, who also created a mural of writer Ismail Kadare in Tirana and painted a portrait of football star Lionel Messi a year ago, is behind this project.

This initiative is part of “Mural Fest Tirana,” a project led by the well-known artist Helidon Haliti.

Haliti explained to the media that the idea to honor Vaçe Zela in this way came from the desire to celebrate one of the greatest figures in Albanian culture, who left a lasting impact on the country’s music.

Some of the memorable songs by Vaçe Zela, known as “The People’s Artist,” include: “Fëmija i parë,” composed by Agim Krajka, which she performed in 1962 at the First Song Festival; “E dua vendin tim,” “Djaloshi dhe shiu,” “Dritaren kërkoj,” “Lumi Ebro,” “Për ty o këngë,” “Manushaqja,” and “Esperanca,” a Cuban song she performed in 1962 with a rhythmic ensemble, as well as songs from the film “Carmen” and “Një zambak i bardhë në gur,” among others.

Vaçe Zela worked with many prominent composers of Albanian light music, including Tish Daija, Agim Krajka, Kujtim Laro, Shpëtim Kushta, Avni Mula, Limoz Dizdari, Pjetër Gaci, Aleksandër Peçi, and Agim Prodani.

/a.c/