Peter Gjoka (1912-1982) | The great actor who also played the blind! Pjetër Gjoka was the son of Gjokë Pjetrit from Dushmani i Shllaku, Dukagjin, he was born in Ulcinj on August 3, 1912 and died on May 2, 1982, he was a prominent Albanian actor. He started his activity in theater in the amateur movement in the 30s in Shkodër. In 1947, he joined the People's Theater as an actor, after debuting with the Army Theatre. The first role was in the comedy "Tartufi". He performed about 90 roles in this theater, dozens of leading roles from world dramaturgy, while he stayed on stage for 52 consecutive years, performing even completely blind. Since that time, he is admired by the spectator and applauded by him. In the path of stage art, he continues in the roles of "Governor of the province", Makar Dubrov, "Halili and Hajria", in the role of Shpend Gjet Plaku. In this figure, Pjeter Gjoka seeks freedom with popular simplicity. The beautifully artistically realized figures of "Revizori", "Otello", "Grey Girl". The artist has always tried to interpret the roles starting from individual data. In the role of the poor musician, he demonstrates the simplicity of the image, the musician's love for his son. The figure of Miller in "Intrigue and love", Pjetër Gjoka gave a father with the best virtues. This role is one of the most performed by him. "Study of the text is necessary for the actor and he should not underestimate it", emphasized the artist himself. 
Some of his other roles are in "Hamlet", "Noble Bourgeoisie", "King Lear", "The General of the Dead Army" and later "Arturo Ui", interpreting with virtuosity the role of "Dokzboru". He professionally embodied characters such as: Haritonov, Shpend Gjeta, the Elder, Mac Donald, Miller, Zabeliku, Klaudi, King Lir, Gjini, Ali Pasha Gucia, etc. Time passed, but the great actor did not stop his connection with stage art. 
In 1961, he is among the four actors who were awarded the high title "People's Artist". His last role at the National Theater was in the drama "Epoka before the trial". He has also acted in several feature films, creating accomplished figures. Performed in the films: Skanderbeu (1953); Her Children (1957); 1958: Tana (1958); The Tempest (1959); Guerrilla unit; The Trail (1970); The Dead Army General (1975); The third (1978); Star over Drin (1978); On the verge of freedom (1981) In addition to working as an actor, he has staged several parts as a director. Pjeter Gjoka was both a musician and an actor. As such, there are many parts he has staged. Of the dramas written by the masters of Albanian literature, the best for the celebration of the anniversary of Independence in November 1945 is the tragedy "Judas Macabre" written by Father Gjergj Fishta. With a subject taken from the Bible, as Zef Zorba underlined, the tragedy "was the end and the main accusation against any kind of power and any betrayal of the homeland, it surprisingly suited the waves of the political situation through which the nation was going". In order to realize this, a group of artists from Shkodra did the impossible and released Prenka Jakov, who was the only one who could make music, from "house-prison". The preparations to stage it would not go unnoticed by the state security agencies. Indirect threats against the initiators began. The tense political situation of the time meant that permission was barely obtained from the then Minister of the time, Sejfullah Malëshova, a "supporter" of Fishta. But even after that, the show would be banned. After many efforts, the premiere of the show was given on November 28, 1945 in the "Rozafat" cinema hall. Against the requests to repeat the show, the communist decision "stop" came. The end of this show, where Pjetri played the priest, marks the end of his vocal activity. Another successful role of Pjetri would be that of Lleshi in the drama "The Return of Skenderbeu to Kruja". The play "Two princes for a girl", with three acts, was written and staged by Henrik Lacaj, on April 26, 1939. The play, in addition to the subject and interpretation, also marks the first appearance on stage of a girl, Maria Markut, who performed in a troupe with men. In the drama "Dedë Gjo Luli", Pjetri has the main role of Dede, a realization based on the deep knowledge of this figure. Among the dramas presented by the "Bogdani" society is "Drejtësia cygane" translated as it was customary to call it freely at that time by Pjetër Gjoka and Kolë Çuni. He would also interpret the role of Zabelin in "Kremlin Hours". But the actor, the many roles as a mountaineer from the north, over time seems to have worried him. For this he would say: He is known as one of the actors who performed roles, even though he was blind. In the National Festival of Theaters, he would participate in the role of Pilo, in the part "Mark me too". He took on that role with great desire, aware of the difficulties that blindness brought. In such a situation, Gjoka would say that it is a great misfortune not to know how to read, but the greatest misfortune is when you know and can't". From the monograph "Pjetër Gjoka, 52 years on stage" published under the auspices of the great actor's son, Gjovalin Gjoka and grandson Gjovalin Çuni, it is learned that when he passed away, he took a hostage with him. In the last days of his life, drawn to national figures, Ismail Qemali's monologue held on the day of the Declaration of Independence attracted him a lot. "After two years is the 70th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Coincidentally, I also turn 70 that year. I have a dream as an actor. To play Ismail Qemalin. Surely that year, there will be a film or a drama about him…" The dream remained a dream, a pleasant vision, unrealized, because he passed away on May 2, 1982. ________________________ Albanian cinematography in activity since 2013
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