Julka Darragjati – Kakarriqi
Actress with a teaching profession. One of the veterans of acting in the “Migjeni” Theater as well as in the Puppet Theater in Shkoder.
Her father was born and raised in the former Yugoslavia with the trades of mechanic and plumber. After working hours, he was involved in directing theater and ballet. His origin was Albanian and specifically from Shkodra.
In 1914 he moved to Shkoder. He marries a girl from Shkodra, Izen e Gaspë Saraci. From this marriage, 4 sons and Julka were born.
In 1921, her family returned to Yugoslavia, to Korcola, where Julka was born in 1922. Then they moved to Coftat, a coastal town.
In 1928, at the insistence of her mother, the family returned to Shkodra in 1928. After work, Julka’s father, who worked as a mechanic and plumber, became active in the “Rozafat” society, where the good families from Shkodra, such as the Daija (parents of Tish Daija), of Luigj Dajci, of Muzhan, of Simon Rrota. After the final return to Shkodër, Julka’s parents enrolled her in the Stigmatine School from kindergarten until high school.
Julka completed three high school classes at the “Donika Kastrioti” School. In November 1944, after the liberation of the country, she was appointed a teacher, where she worked for almost 30 years in the city of Shkodra, among different schools.
In 1945, she was a teacher in Ajasem. In addition to teaching, she is also involved in cultural activities. Wrote and staged the play “Pioneer in prison”.
In 1946 she was a teacher in Dudas (Shkoder district). While at the school “Ndre Mjeda*, she created a two-voice choir with the students.
She staged the play: “In the lands near the border”. Julka’s artistic activity does not stop. At the “Liria” school, for the piece “Skënderbeu*, she wins the first prize.
The years pass. Let’s stop in 1995.
Despite her age, she activates the children of the palace with various performances. She directs the choir of the Stigmatine School. Julka staged “Ora of Albania* by Father Gjergj Fishta.
(Julka remembers: “When I started working with “Ora e Shqipnise”, for the 100th anniversary of Stigmatine, I called Bixhe Koliqi. I saw him in 1929, when he made “Ora e Shqipnise”. I called him to sing that song once again in front of the audience. But I remembered that in 1939 Albina Dajci also sang this song of “Zanave” performed with dignity) at the age of 8 at the Stigmatine School.
First, as an actress in this school, Julka performed in these parts: “Elizabet of England ’59 , “Maria Stewart, “Iphigenia in Aulida, “Miladinacka (comedy).
Also in “Ora e Shqipnis (melodrama) in the role of the Great Fairy. “lfigenia in Aulide” (drama), Gj. Fishta, Bernardin Palaj, Ludovika 05.05.1929; performed by: Bixhe Kotiqi, Gjyzepina Shuli, Bixhe Kurti, Lizeta Mjeda, Terezina Koliqi.
This part was also shown on 16.10.1937; performed by: Albina Dajci, Julka Mirdita, Karmelina Shestani, V. Prendushi
“Emira” (drama) V. Prendushi, L. Kiri 23.02.1935; Performed by: Ida Kraja, Karmelina Daija, Rregjina Krroqi. Albina Dajci, Marije Deda, Gjyljana Krroqi, This part was also performed on 22.02.1958. Julka Kakarriqi, Helena Todri.
“Zemër robneshë (dramë), V. Prendushi, A. Dragusha, 24.05. 1935; performed by: Julka Kakarriqi, Albina Dajci, Helena Todri, Cristina Shuteriqi.
“Fejesë me tallall (lojë gazi), Donat Kurti, Ester Dajci, 13.06. 1941; performed by: Pina Kola, Julka Kakarriqi, Mici Deda, Gjyzepina Kcira.
“A Man in a Dormitory (play), V. Prendushi, E. Dajci, 24.05. 1942; performed by: Ida Kraja, Gjystina Doda, Julka Kakarriqi. (These notes are taken from the manuscript work of the researcher Gjush Sheldia)
In the years to come she would perform in “Sweat and Blood”, 1945, directed by Lec Shllaku. Role Daughter of Count Moreno. Cast: Loro Kovaci (commander), Julka Kakarriqi (act-commander, his fiancée), Zina Franja, Prenda Pali, Marije Deda, Leo Prela, Ndoc Deda, Ndoc Shllaku, Simon Harapi (prompter)
The Blind Women (E verbeta), 09.02.1945, directed by Lec Shllaku. Performers: Julka Kakarriqi (The Blind), Roza Shoshi (waitress), Antoneta Fishta (waitress), Margarita Bojaxhiu, Pjetër Gjergji, Pistol Soja, Ndoc Deda, Paulin Lacaj, desk Vuksani, Gac Gavo§i, Beqir Sahatcia, Rrok Sheldia, Cin Lufi, Kolë Mirashi, Kel Dema, Lec Prendi, (stage worker), Lec Fishta (set design).
“The Traitor”, 1948. Same actors who performed in the drama “The Blind”.
“Shkodra Wedding / Dasma Shkodrane”, 1947, by A. Skanjeti. Performed by: Julka Kakarriqi (Shkodran woman), Neta Shllaku, Zef Jubani, Lin Gjonej, Klotilda Shantoja, File Gjeloshi, Pjetër Adem Kastrati, Gita Shllaku, Bik Ndoja, Ida Kraja, Ludovik Ciurcija, Antoneta Fishta, etc.
“A chicken that sings like a rooster”, author Ton Shoshi. Performed by: Julka Kakarriqi (mountain woman), Ida Kraja, Kolë Shtjefni, etc.
“Motorri”, 1955, author Kolë Jakova. Performed by: Julka Kakarriqi (mother Leni), Lumnije Hoxha (daughter) etc.
“The Engagement”, 1957, author A. Skanjeti. Performed by: Julka Kakarriqi (a woman from Shkodra), Veronika Pali, Domenika Veli, Rrok Sheldia, Gjovalin Carkaxhia, Rrok Dajci, Ferdinand Bushati, Xhina Ndocaj (Paskali).
“Dream of 500 Years / Andrra e 500 vjetve”, 1962, author Andrea Skanjeti. Performed by: Julka Kakarriqi, Luigj Mjeda, Cesk Doei, Gjush Sheldia, Ndoc Deda, Cesk Jubani, Brahim Duka, Teufik Gjyli, Engjëll Ljarrja, Ndoc Prendushi, Dedë Suma, Kolë Shtjefni, Xhavid Tirana, Luigj Dajci, Kel Kocobashi, Rrok Sheldia, Rrok Zadeja, Ndoc Radoja (prompter)
Julka and the Puppet Theater
In 1951, Julka is the Director of the “Pioneer House”. In addition to other circles (courses), the puppet theater circle is also opened. The dolls were made of cardboard by Ndrekë Pali, the handwork instructor.
Participating in the roles: Julka Kakarriqi, Ndrekë Pali, Tonin Harapi, Angjelin Dodmasej; these were also the employees of the Pioneer House. With that simplicity of scenes and puppets, children enjoyed, laughed and were educated.
With the director Andrea Skanjeti, Julka made the following plays: *Rabbit” (1952, the role of the fox), Pickaxe and shovel” (1955, the role of the shovel), “Three kids” (1957, the role of one of the kids), “Wild goats” “(1963, the role of one of the goats), “Gjumashët” (1967, the role of a child), “Skenderbeu’s little beta” (the role of Skenderbeu), “The Little Braves” (the role of a German woman).
To continue further with the performances: “Happy Bears” (the role of the grandmother), “Zhgarravitesit” (the role of a kind woman), “The Partisan and the Sheep” (the role of the wolf), “The Cave of Kreshniks” (the role of of the fox), “Purush bishtpreri” (the role of the fox), “Party in the forest” (the role of the fox), “Ermira of forest” (the role of the fox), *Courier’s hut” (the role of the dolphin), “An event in hydropower plant” (the role of the doctor), “Wedding without a bride” (the role of the partisan), “Dance of the plants” (tutor: Tano Banushi; the role of the brigadier), “The little black man” (the role: the black man’s mother), “Time is gold” (the role of the book), “The small partisans (the role: the partisan’s mother), “The brave rabbit” (the role of the fox), “Flame in the sea” (the role of a fascist lieutenant), “The seven kittens “, (the role of the grandmother), “In the children’s house” (the role of the fox), “Always ready!” (the role of the teacher)
What catches our eye in all these interpretations is the figure of the fox. Getting to know the history of the puppet theater over the years, the directors: Andrea Skanjeti, Jonuz Dini, Eda Gera, Kolë Kaftalli, Ikbale Cefa have given their valuable contribution.
Julka, in 1945-1946, participated in the broadcasts of Radio Shkodra. They offered her to be a clerk in that institution. She did not accept.
She loved being a teacher among children. Therefore, she practiced teaching for nearly 30 years. Julka lived between the pain of her brothers leaving this world and the endless memory of her friends.
Julka lived between the years of old age and the tapping of her cane. Those tappings seemed like words yet unspoken…
In 2014, the Shkodër City Council honored Julka Kakarriqi Darragjati and Vitor Darragjati with the title of “Honorary Citizen” after their deaths.
December 2021
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Albanian Cinematography in activity since 2013
Reference: Memory of a city / albas 2019 / Xh. Bushati / p.116-122.
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