Memorie.al / The iconic actress of the theatrical stage and cinematography, Roza Anagnosti (Xhuxha), today over the age of 75, walks slowly, thoughtfully, with a noble, slightly melancholic smile, with unmatched beauty, nostalgic, surrounded by many memories…! She climbs the stairs of the “Migjeni” Theatre in Shkodra. She is followed and surrounded by the flowers of Shkodra’s gardens. These are aromas found only in Shkodra! And they are for you, Roza!
Simply, without fanfare, dignified and full of nobility, this Lady has not come to her city as at other times. She has come differently…! She has come with a mission. This act is special. To Shkodra, where she spent a part of her life, including her artistic life, and where her heart’s love resides, she has decided to donate her magical theatrical activity. To donate it with the citizenship that characterizes her. Perhaps settling a pledge. Perhaps leaving a legacy.
She has carefully collected photographs over the years. Without getting tired or bored. Like the mothers of Shkodra. She has put a caption on each photograph. More precisely, she has embroidered them with words from the soul. She is also leaving her writing, full of nostalgia, to the theatre of the city of her childhood and youth, which has irreplaceable value. The archive bears the honored name: Roza Anagnosti. A part of her valuable life sleeps and wakes up there.
Her childhood, adolescence, father, mother, sister, brother, maternal grandfather’s family, cousins, relatives, teachers, friends, directors, colleagues, friends, Shkodra citizens… all sleep and wake up there! The dreams, which blossomed over the years, some withered, others blossomed again like roses, sleep and wake up there. Nostalgia, memories, smiles, dreams, the world of a beautiful girl!.. A world with a sky full of dreams!..
The archive has now taken its place in the archive room of the “Migjeni” Theatre. Nostalgia moves in silence. Through nostalgia, the actress (Xhuxha) Anagnosti quenches her longing for Shkodra. She hugs it. She kisses it. Roza’s nobility and charm kindly gifted a part of her memory to the city. Now, Roza’s memory has taken its place in the spaces of the theatrical memory and beyond of this city, which she loved to the point of pain.
Perhaps even beyond it. And she has a reason. I refer to the writer Stefan Zweig, who says: “…to understand the profound, hidden significance of these treasures… and after understanding them, to love them, to marvel at them, to be moved and enthusiastic, one must, first of all, learn to love the people, whose vital traits are permanently imprinted upon them.”
I compared the archive donated by Roza to a wreath. It is understandable. Her first role at the “Migjeni” Theatre in Shkodra was that of Nurije in the drama “Kunora e Nurijes” (Nurije’s Wreath) by Kolë Jakova (1959). Roza was no more than 15 years old when she performed it. Certainly, Roza has marked it in her life as a starting point, as a love, as a…!
The giving act of the Artist Roza Anagnosti reminds me of a text read many, many years ago, where, among other things, it was written: “Memories and history are indissolubly linked, and belong to a certain reality of life and living. Memories are always in the first person. Memories are a warm weight. They are much of what we are and what we have. When we read memories, it is like walking in a traditional city. Memories are a world between dreams and the past. Memories are the other voice, unheard by others; they are our powerful weakness.” I recalled these passages about memories as I carefully leafed through Roza’s archive. The photographs “spoke” and communicated… A magical world! The writing “spoke” and its voice did not fade. Oh, such longing!.. Even the pages rustled like memories of time. “A world lives, a world speaks…” – I told myself. The voice of the Great Artist Roza (Xhuxha) Anagnosti speaks.
The Voice of Childhood and the Years of Growth…
Roza Xhuxha – Anagnosti was born on 27.10.1943, in Tirana. Her father was a career officer, while her mother was a housewife. After 1944, the Xhuxha family came to live in Shkodra. Her maternal grandfather’s family lived in this city. In Shkodra, Roza completed primary school, and then high school. From a young age, she was noted as a singer and dancer, talents that would radiate in the years to come. She is eternally grateful to her tireless teachers, such as: Leonard Deda, Hilë Shahini, Tonin Harapi (at the Pioneer’s House); the composer Prenkë Jakova (at the House of Culture).
In her memoirs, Roza writes: “… they described me as a girl with future talent, although, later, my dreams were not easy.” Her father’s imprisonment and expulsion from the Lyceum would be tragic for Roza’s life, as she wanted to become an artist and had many dreams. Poverty and the consequences of the class struggle would weigh on her, her mother, and her sister. Roza continued the “29 Nëntori” Gymnasium. At the same time, she took exams by correspondence at the Artistic Lyceum (dramatic art branch). She graduated in 1965.
A ray of light invited her to continue the beautiful path of art. This was around 1958, when she was a high school student. She was invited to the first premiere of the Estrada Theatre. Then also to the dramatic theatre, in the play “Kunora e Nurijes” by the playwright Kolë Jakova, directed by Lec Shllaku. In her memoirs, Roza recounts: “The success I achieved with my performance in this drama started my life in the field of art. I was appointed an actress in the troupe of the ‘Migjeni’ Theatre. My path was now open.
I would be the protagonist in many roles and in many other performances, culminating in the character of Nora in the drama ‘Nora’ by Andrea Skanjeti, who was also its director. With this role, I won the award; ‘As the Best Female Interpreter among Actresses in the Second National Festival of Professional Theatres of Albania’.”
In 1961, Roza’s father was released from prison. The Artist Xhuxha (Anagnosti), besides the theatre stage, also conquered the screen. She interpreted many shining roles in the pantheon of Albanian theatre and film, but she would not forget her artistic journey, which began on the stage of the “Migjeni” Theatre in Shkodra…! And Roza did not forget her gratitude. After many, many years, she came to leave her “testimony” through the rich and glorious archive.
Recalling the film, Roza recounts again: “My first collaboration with director Hysen Hakani was in the film ‘Toka jonë’ (Our Land). It remains very special in my memory. In this film, Dhimitri was the cameraman. In this film, we met, and at the end of it, Dhimitri and I got engaged. We later created our family. It is a film that has a lot of poetry in all directions. For me, it was a very beautiful role. I liked it very much.
Director Hysen Hakani had a lot of humor, he was demanding, he had his own way of working. In those years, we had very few directors. I first filmed ‘Detyrë e posaçme’ (Special Task) with director Kristaq Dhamo. I later filmed with director Hysen Hakani, and continued filming with Viktor and Dhimitri, and subsequently other films…! I recall another role, that of File. File’s role was a very special character, and after doing the screen test, I won. The cream of Albanian actors performed in this film. I mention here the actress Tinka Kurti, who was fantastic and whom I dreamed of at the time. When the film was shot, I was only 19 years old. In that year, when I collaborated with director Hysen Hakani, I was an actress at the Shkodra city theatre. He had seen me in the theatre and invited me to do a screen test…! The film ‘Ndërgjegjja’ (The Conscience) was pleasant. In this film, I was in the role of a young teacher. The film had love scenes of that time, it had romanticism. Since director Hysen Hakani took me on to perform again, I believe he was satisfied with me in this film!”
The Roles…
Roza (Xhuxha) Anagnosti continues to climb the stairs of the “Migjeni” Theatre. She walks down the corridor and approaches the stage…, the familiar stage. Like an image that suddenly becomes real and nostalgic, the characters she performed “wake up” from the archive she has near her…! Roza “surrenders”… and remembers her performances over the years, such as in: “Dy binjakët Venecianë” (Two Venetian Twins) (11.01.1959, in the role of Colombina – understudy), “Kunora e Nurijes” (Nurije’s Wreath) (15.03.1959, in the role of Nurije. Roza played this role 63 times.) “Trumpetjerja” (The Female Trumpeter) (15.07.1959 role: Zoja Paramanova), “Maskat” (Masks) (02.07.1960, in the role of Marta), “Nora” (28.12.1960, in the role of Nora), “Histori irkutase” (An Irkutsk Story) (05.04.1961, Zinka), “Gjuetarët e ujqërve” (The Wolf Hunters), (21.06.1961, Barbulla), “Këneta” (The Swamp) (06.11.1961, R. Mushi), “Mësuesja” (The Teacher) (07.03.1962, The Teacher), “Bileta e llotarisë” (The Lottery Ticket) (09.05.1963, Burbuqja), “Përtej pragut” (Beyond the Threshold) (27.05.1964, Fata).
And after these notes on every photograph taken with such care by the renowned actress Anagnosti, I want to refer again to Zweig, who says: “Manuscripts have, among other things, an extraordinary moral significance, because they majestically remind us that the works that enchant us in their perfect form are not only due to the gift of genius but also the fruit of exhausting, self-sacrificing work. They show us the battlefield where the human spirit fights with matter, the eternal struggle of Jacob with the angel; they lead us into the depths of the kingdom of creation and force us doubly to love and honor the human being within the artist, for the sake of his holy work.”
The Archive and the Photographs that “Speak” Through Roza’s Notes…
-Roza with Dhimitri.
-Roza with the Queen of the “Migjeni” Theatre stage in Shkodra, Tinka Kurti.
-Roza with her two dear daughters, Juna and Era.
-Roza – grandmother.
-Roza – mother for the first time.
-Roza during the filming of “Toka jonë”.
-Photo from girlhood taken by Foto Marubi.
-During the Spartakiada in Tirana with her gymnasium friends.
-With her gymnasium friends on a snowy day.
-At the House of Culture, with the composer Prenkë Jakova and the ballet master Filip Gjergji.
-At the Pioneer’s House, with the ballet teacher Leonora Dragusha.
-The performance “Kufitarët” (The Border Guards) (melodrama, music: Tonin Harapi, director: Andrea Skanjeti).
-“Ndoc Mazi” School, choir director Lajde Banushi (Koja), music teachers Kol Gjinaj and Leonard Deda.
-The performance “Mësimi i pyllit” (The Forest Lesson) (musical fairy tale, music: Tonin Harapi, libretto: Gjovalin Çarkaxhija, director: Andrea Skanjeti. Winner of the first prize at the National Pioneer Meeting in Tirana. Roza won a prize with the role of the stork).
-Childhood. Roza at 3-4 years old.
-Student at “Ndoc Mazi” School.
-With teacher Vera and actress and singer Klea Shantoja.
-On tour: Theth, Malësi e Madhe.
-Participation in the Estrada:
-With the Estrada group, with actors Hasan Smaja and Paulin Preka, with singer Ndrekë Gjergji, director Paulin Sekuj, etc.
-The film “Toka jonë” (based on the motives of the drama of the same name by Kolë Jakova. Screenplay: Peçi Dado, director: Hysen Hakani, camera: Dhimitër Anagnosti. The time when Roza was still an actress at the “Migjeni” Theatre in Shkodra).
-The drama “Kunora e Nurijes”. Roza’s first leading role in the theatre.
-In Nurije’s costume in front of the “Migjeni” Theatre. Roza is with the tailor of this theatre, Zina Ashta.
-With actors: Klotilda Shantoja, Preng Lëkunda, Vitore Nino.
-The Russian play “Mësuesja” (The Teacher), author: Kallbakian, director: E. Oktrova. Roza with the painter and set designer Lec Vuksani.
-Roza with the actor Pistol Soja.
-After the performance: with Lec Bushati, Esat Oktrova, Paulin Lacaj.
-The drama “Këneta” (The Swamp). Roza – Rina, Paulin Preka – Stavri Shkurti. Before the performance, in the cabin, with the actress Tinka Kurti.
-The comedy “Bileta e llotarisë” (The Lottery Ticket). Roza with the actor Paulin Preka.
-The drama “Nora”. Roza – Nora. Roza with actors: Bep Shiroka (Veli), Ndoc Sheldia, Paulin Lacaj, Lec Vuksani, Jonuz Dini, Vitore Nino, Lec Bushati, Lec Ndreka, Rrok Dajçi.
-After the performance with colleagues and technicians: Hasan Smaja, Mici (Marija), Lec Vuksani, Teufik Duka, Osoja, etc., etc.
The first general rehearsal of the drama “Nora” was held on 26.12.1960. The “Migjeni” Theatre in Shkodra achieved success with the play “Nora,” a drama in 3 acts, with two scenes by Andrea Skanjeti, staged by the author himself. The premiere of the drama “Nora” was given on 28.12.1960.
Performers: Roza Xhuxha (Nora), Lec Bushati, Vitore Nino, Preng Lëkunda, Ndrekë Prela, Tinka Kurti, Paulin Lacaj, Violeta Sekuj, Antoneta Fishta, Bep Shiroka, Paulin Preka, Jonuz Dini, Fejzi Spahia, Lec Ndreka, Pistol Soja, Rrok Dajçi, Rrok Sheldia. Assistant director, “Merited Artist” Adem Kastrati. Painter: Lec Fishta. Music by Prenkë Jakova. Stage inspector: Çesk Vuksani. Prompter: Leo Prela. Lights: Teufik Duka and Shaban Prizreni. Carpenters: Lec Prendi and Ndoc Karma. Stage workers: Maliq Sejdini, Osman Gruda, Fehmi Gokovi, Isuf Këltyra. Props: Marije Curani.
Roza Xhuxha in the memoirs of the playwright and director Andrea Skanjeti:
“The drama was performed 37 times in Shkodra and several times in Tirana. It would have stayed on stage even longer had Roza Xhuxha, who married a promising young man in our scenic art in Tirana, not left the ‘Migjeni’ Theatre. Despite the director’s efforts to replace her, the directorate did not bother to exert itself in this direction. The main role of the drama ‘Nora’ was played with great success by the 15-year-old actress Roza Xhuxha, who had debuted in the main role of Kolë Jakova’s drama, being no more than 15 years old. Many photographs were also taken with the curtain open, which were utilized by the press in newspaper and magazine publications, both local and foreign, in foreign languages, as well as in occasional exhibitions. …
And the young actress Roza Xhuxha, the “Nora” of Kelmend… showed: “The day before I went on stage for Nora, I felt anxious. I went to bed very early, but I couldn’t sleep until the late hours. I woke up before dawn. – “And how do you feel now?” – They asked her immediately after the performance ended. The actress, still dressed in the costume of the bride of Kelmend and breathing quickly from the fatigue of the play and the emotion, smiled brightly. “Now! … Thank you very much to the audience who applauded our drama…”!
The Great Artist Roza (Xhuxha) Anagnosti descends the stairs of the theatre, slowly, slowly. Like an icon. She turns her head back…, as if to say something again to the theatre… The “Migjeni” Theatre appears in its grandeur. New roses have blossomed and multiplied before her eyes. The aroma of Shkodra flowers, like a grandmother’s message, accompanies and gently escorts her with every step she takes. The roses slowly move their petals like butterfly wings and greet her as a beautiful wish for Roza (Xhuxha) Anagnosti. This is what happens in life, truly… Like this unrepeatable moment. Roza’s magic makes even the roses “speak,” because “Manuscripts possess a magical power…”. / Memorie.al
