Paulin Lacaj (1914 – 1976) The founding actor of the "Migjeni" Theater, Shkoder! He was born on April 28, 1914 in a well-known neighborhood of the city of Shkodra, Serreq. Paulin Lacaj is distinguished as a careful actor. Serious in the preparation of roles, with a breadth of knowledge not only for the Albanian theater of that time, but also the European one. For the dimension of his growth as an actor, his brother Henriku has special merit, not only for his wide cultural background and erudition, but also as an artist who staged many parts, but also wrote and translated with great dignity. All these radiated to Paulini, creating in him both then and later as a professional, such interpreted figures that are still remembered today. All the roles played by him in most cases were well received by the spectators, such as Shtybe in "Permbyetja e edhe"; Walter Kidd in "The Fairy of America"; John Arthur in "People of Good Will"; Kleanthi in "Kopraci"; Boris at "Sterngata"; pasahi to "Shate shaljanet" giving excellent and impressive interpretations. The actor taught 5 primary classes, one cooking class and two high school classes near the Saveriane School in the city of Shkodra. In 1931, he was appointed by the Ministry of Justice as an official intern at the Enforcement Office, a job he performed until 1934. This year he goes to do his military service, which he finishes in v. 1935. He returned to the Enforcement Office and worked there until December 1939 as a secretary. In the time period from 1939 to In 1944, he worked as a secretary at the State High School, while from December 1944 to February 1945 he served as an employee at the Enforcement Office. On December 16, 1949, he was accepted as a professional actor at the "Migjeni" theater in Shkodra, working there until his retirement. Paulini was one of the old amateurs of this city with an activity of about 40 years in the theater field. It was a dream and passion of his to participate in dramatic art. Thus, a special joy for Paulin Lacaj was the establishment of the professional theater of Shkodra with a decision of the Council of Ministers No. 572, dated November 24, 1949, the date and year of which officially contains the inauguration of this artistic institution. Paulin Lacaj is nominated among eight professionals as an actress at this institution. The professional theater of Shkodër begins its activity with the first premiere titled "The Upheaval", a play in 4 acts by the Russian author Boris Lavranjev, a performance that was given on May 26, 1950 and where Paulin Lacaj interprets the role of the protagonist, Shtube Leopold Fiodorevic `. Immediately after this performance, the actor Lacaj had the idea of creating a kind of archive for the Theater. He thus continues this work himself until v. 1959, which coincides with the 30th premiere of the Theater. After that, he started working seriously and extensively for the creation of this archive, which he successfully completed. In his personal notes, Paulin Lacaj notes that he has been a participant in various theater companies, especially in that of "Bogdan". He has performed in several dramas as in dt. April 16-17, 1932 at "Themistokli Germenji"; "Moisi Golemi" November 20, 1936; "Patuk's tricks"; Two princes for one girl" on April 26, 1936 and others. From the young age of 12 until 1939, Pauli n Lacaj takes part in 20 premieres, appearing on stage 91 times, attended by 30,248 spectators at the time. Meanwhile, as a dilettante, he took part in 10 premieres, always playing leading roles, with 59 appearances on stage. The figures as a professional are these for Lacaj: Out of 89 premieres, he participated in 76 of them, with 30 leading roles, 32 secondary roles and 14 only episodic roles. He has appeared on stage 16,698 times followed by more than half a million spectators. This would be his theatrical activity in general terms. Regarding the interpretation of the roles, it cannot be left without mentioning what the newspapers and critics of the time emphasized: "In the drama "Votra e huej" Lacaj enthuses you with his acting. In the drama "Optimistic Tragedy", the premiere of which was on April 30, 1960, Paulin Lacaj brought out a figure that is as dark as it is well played. In this actor with a very pure obsession, you can constantly see an increase in professional work. In the drama "Prodigal Son". Lacaj brings out a precise and fair character. His role is convincing with his good and full diction, with his soft and sweet clear stage voice, which is an example". His portrait is unfinished though. He was a simple man, of few words and who consumed a lot of smoking. In addition to his work as an actor, he also had the archive as a passion. He is considered the first creator of the theater archive in Albania. Based on his model, other theaters also worked to create their archives. Paulin Lacaj noted and recorded everything in his notebook, a telegram, a theater invitation, a recording tape; the date of the show, the director's platform, etc., etc., collecting all the material for the show, making as much as possible the file of that premiere. He wrote all these with a quill pen and never with a pen or fountain pen. Even with a typewriter, even though he knows its use very well from the experience gained in the office. Also, the great actor Lacaj was also a very good philatelist. He enjoyed a good fund of stamps. Paulin Lacaj, I changed my life on January 14, 1976 at the age of 62. ______________ Albanian cinematography in activity since 2013 Reference: "Memory of a city" Theater "Migjeni" – Bushati. Xh / p. 7-11 / alba – 2019. The photos are a contribution of the administrators of this page.
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