Portrait of actress Terezina Dema (1933–2010)!

Terezina Dema (Dajci) (1933–2010)
Actress of the “Aleksandër Moisiu” Theater in Durrës!

Terezina Dema was born on August 21, 1933, in the city of Shkodra. She was the daughter of Luigj Dajci, a middle-class Shkodra family, closely associated with music and art.

It was precisely her father’s initiative that led to the opening of the first cinema in the city, called “Rozafa”. Since childhood, Terezina was involved in the world of theater. At only 8 years old, she had the opportunity to go on stage next to well-known names of Shkodra art such as Ndoc Cikliqi, Kolec Tafrruku, Lec Bushati, Tinka Kurti and many others. This early experience paved the way for a rich career on stage.

Talented and ambitious, Dema continued her studies at the Artistic Lyceum where she was distinguished for her intelligence and dedication. After moving to Durrës with her husband Mark Dema, she initially worked on the railway, but her passion for theater did not fade.

She became part of the newly created troupe of the “Aleksandër Moisiu” Theater, where she collaborated with prominent actors such as Meropi Xhoja, Vera Urumi, Semiha Ishmi, Marta Burda, Rexhina Shiroka and later with other important figures such as Nikolin Xhoja, Llazar Murati, Spiro Urumi, Teodor Rupi, Todi Thanasi and many others.

On the stage of this theater, Terezina Dema performed a series of roles that remained unforgettable: “Dredhitë e Skapenit”, Lulja from “Të rinjtë”, Tatjana to “Ljubov Jarovaja”, Zvjetllana to “Çështja Ivanovit”, Sofia to “Fejesa e Sofies”, Burbuqja from “Vajza nga krahina”, Juki to “Festa e fenerëve”, Anika to “Biri i humbur”, Arta from “Sëmundje e rrezikshme” and many other roles that demonstrated her wide range of acting.

With her characteristic voice, seriousness and passion, Dema became one of the pillars of the Durrës troupe, giving the theater a new energy and being appreciated as an actress with many perspectives.

However, due to political circumstances, she faced painful interruptions in her artistic path. In 1968, she left the theater and was forced to work for a period as a teacher at a music school.

Despite this, Terezina never abandoned her love for art. Even in difficult circumstances, she expressed her passion for theater and music, writing musical scores and singing, as if art were the only refuge where she could find solace.

In the 1990s, the Dema family chose the path of emigration, while Terezina always stayed close to her two sons, Alfred and Gerard. She passed away on
May 22, 2010 at the age of 76, leaving behind the memory of an actress who, despite the obstacles of time, left a strong mark on the history of Albanian theater.

Exclusivity on this page is dated August 17, 2025
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