Stavri Shkurti (1927-1998), portrait of a special artist!

Stavri Shkurti (1927-1998)
Prominent actor of the Theater “AZ Cajupi”, Korce and Albanian Cinematography, one of the Icons of the stage and screen who for his artistic merits and for the great contribution he has made to Theater and Film, was honored with the high title “People’s Artist” as well as “Honorary Citizen” of Korce. Not only his acting ability but also his characteristic voice have distinguished this actor with a wide activity spanning the 60’s,70’s,and 80 `.

Born in the city of Korce on August 5, 1927, he started with stage art from an early age, with the Amateur theater movement of the city near the House of Culture. Then his career starts from 1950, the year of the creation of the professional theater “Andon Zako Çajupi”, being one of the first actors of this theater. In fact, he did not study to be an actor, but on the contrary, he completed his higher studies in Czechoslovakia for hydrological engineering.

Despite his studies, he would get into stage art, acting thanks to his persistence, passion and will. With the establishment of the professional Estrade in Korce, in 1960 he went as an actor for the needs of its troupe, and in 1962 Shkurti moved to the theater again.

In the Theater of his city “Andon Z. Cajupi” he will have a long career of about 30 years in over 100 roles, having the support of prominent directors, Iconic names of the Albanian scene such as Dhimitër Orgocka (People’s Artist), Piro Mani (People’s Artist), Sokrat Mio (People’s Artist), Vangjel Grabocka (Honored Artist), etc..

On the stage of this Theater, he will perform various roles and characters that will remain unforgettable not only for the Korça audience, but also for the whole of Albania. His first role in the Theater will be that of Marko in A. Miller’s drama “View from the Bridge”.

Mainly, Shkurti has interpreted the main roles of the heroic-dramatic plan, measuring the law, carrying and announcing the morality of the time. Often preferred for roles and positive characters in the theater but also in the role of a speaker in variety shows, creating a model of his own, the necessary, noble, honest, lovable, smiling man. Stands out in the role of Karandas in the drama “Dowry Girl / Vajza me prike”. Likewise, in the role of Demir Ago in the drama “Maro Mokra” in 1978 as well as that of the secretary in the comedy “Lady from the city”; Other shows: “Shadows of the night”; “The Swamp”; “Lawyer’s Marriage”; “White Age” ; “The Invincibles”; “Boys of Bato Gore”; “With the common language”; “Bullets of letters”; “The accused city”;

Even in the masterpieces of world dramaturgy, his interpretations will be impressive, as in Artur Miller’s “View from the Bridge” and Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”; “Avarice”; “Othello”; “They were all my sons” by A. Miller;

The name of Stavri Shkurt is equally well-known in the cinema, an actor heavily active on the Albanian film screen, in over 36 different roles.

He began his career with the official debut of the first Albanian film in 1958 at “Tana”. Further, other roles would continue that would make him known to the entire art-loving public, such as the role of Besim in the film “Ilegals” in 1976, the role of Sala, the secretary of the Party in the film “Lady from the City” in 1976, the role of Zalo Kapllani in the TV movie “Dawns of the Great Season” in 1981, the role of Manol Gjinaj, the translator in the movie “Nothing is forgotten” in 1985, etc.

His last role will be the role of Fajdexhiu in the movie “Years of waiting” in 1990.

In 1992 he retired and then left his homeland, moving to Thessaloniki, Greece. After a serious and long illness of about 6 years, on August 5, 1998, he passed away in Thessaloniki.
Stavri Shkurti remains a fundamental actor of the Albanian Cinema and Theatre, being remembered with honor and respect for the contribution he gave to the stage.

FILMOGRAPHY
1958 – Tana (??)
1965 — The first years (One of the volunteers in draining the swamp) 1968 — The ambush / Prita (Ligori)
1971 – – Mornings of war
1975 — Alleys that sought the sun (TV Movie) (The Baker)
1976 — Illegals (Besimi)
1976 — Lady from the city (Sala, secretary of the Party)
1976 — Coping (Tarja)
1977 — Man with a Cannon (Murat Shtaga)
1977 — Guna permbi tela (Teacher)
1977 — Flag in the wave (TV movie) Uranui
1978 — Stars above Drin (Pertefi, engineering)
1978 — When the foundations were laid (TV movie)
1978 — The third (Movie) TV) Qazim Beluli
1978 — Gramophone General (Braho)
1979 — Face to face (Chief of Archaeologists)
1979 — The Guest
1980 — Little partisan Velo (Velo’s father)
1980 — A comradess from the village (Sala, secretary of the Party)
1981 — Autumn Rebuke (Photograph)
1981 — Threat (Director)
1981 — Gjurme ne kaltersi (Doctor)
1981 — Dawns of the Great Season (TV Movie) (Zalo Kapllani)
1983 — A Name Among the People (Jani)
1984 — The Decision (Kico)
1984 — The First Voyage (Boraku)
1984 — Who dies on foot (Doctor)
1985 — See You in the Eyes (TV Movie) Director
1985 — Nothing is forgotten (Manol Gjinaj, translator)
1986 — Strange wedding (Dalipi)
1987 — Circle of memory (Professor Weberi)
1987 — Spring again (Secretary)
1987 — Invisible world (Engineer)
1988 — Temporary brilliance
1989 — The years of waiting (Fajdexhiu)
1989 — The living wall (Rozafa’s father)
1989 — Who is the killer (Thimi Dino)
1990 — Life in the hands of the other (Spiro’s father)
1990 — White sheets (Film TV) Andrea
1990 — Lonliness / Vetmi (Jani)

Theater
“Dowry Girl”….Karandeshi
“Three Rifle Shots”
“White Confession”
“View from the Bridge” by Artur Miller
“Twelfth Night” by Shakespeare
“Maro Mokra”
“Shadows of the Night” by Vedat Kokona

Awards and Titles
People’s Artist

April 18, 1987 Medallion of the Festival for the interpretation of the role of Manol Gjinaj, the translator, in the film “Nothing is forgotten” at the 7th Albanian Film Festival held in Tirana from April 13 to 18, 1987.

April 23, 1977 Festival Medallion for the interpretation of the role of Besim, in the film “Illegals” at the II Albanian Film Festival held in Tirana from April 16 to 23, 1977.

Previously published on the Facebook page with the same name since November 2014 and reviewed in the following years.

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Albanian Cinematography in activity since 2013
Reference: Various Albanian portals “online”; “Albanian Encyclopedia, Theater and Cinematography” Toena – 2009 / p. 444.

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