The "Elders of Kruja" group, the symbol of our culture and traditions!

“Pleqte e Kruje”
One of the most well-known folklore and folk song groups. With an activity of more than 60 years, the artists of this group have become a symbol of Kruja, but also of traditional Albanian culture, with a multi-year qualitative contribution of their artistic and folklore activity.

The initiative of this group dates back to February 25, 1957. A special contribution was made by Mr. Fadil Taga and his colleagues Mr. Latif Nuna and Mr. Ali Goga, who initiated the creation of this popular group from the beginning of its activity.

The group had many elders, who, being the bearers of the Krutan folk song, found it easier to interpret it. Therefore, among the people and art lovers everywhere in Albania, the group was called “Pleqtë e Krujës”, Mustafa Llubani, Xhemal Kulli, Ali Goga , Latif Nuna, Xhemal and Miftar Hoxha, Ali Hyka, Osman Roshi, Bejte Meneci, Xhemal Dollma, Qamil Qoshja, Et’hem Teta, Hysen Dana, Emin Goci and Muharrem Mustafai and Jahe Cace and Vogël Taga gathered to form this group .

Immediately, the group began meeting once a week to rehearse. This group received its full physiognomy in the performance of May 1, 1957, and at the Second Folklore Festival in Tirana, where it received the third prize. Then in 1959, the members perform the “Krutane Wedding”.

Meanwhile, in 1978 the group appears on stage with the original popular costume of the Kruja city. Then, their activities spread throughout Albania. While after the 90s, they were able to go outside the border, conveying more of the Cretan tradition.

Mustafa Aruçi or as he is called differently, grandfather Faja is the only one of the first “Elders of Kruja” who continues to be not only still alive, but also active in the group. Replacing the elders with others means that this tradition will never die and the “Elders of Kruja” will pass on the tradition and popular songs to the new generation.

Mustafa Aruçi, when he turned 105 years old, expressed that “….. I want to go out with my friends, treat each other with honor, work to all for each other and one for all”.

He started music with the first folklore festival in 1954 and in 1957 he joined the group “Pleqtë e Krujës” …

Honorary titles
1978- He was honored with the award “Laurat i FFK”, Gjirokastër 1983- He was awarded the title “Medal of Naim Frashëri” by the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of Albania.
1994- He is awarded the title of “Honorary Member” of the Skënderbeu Folk Cultural Association, Krujë.

2001- Awarded the title “Pride of the city of Kruja” by the Kruja Municipal Council.
2003- Awarded “Recognition – Drenas 2002” at the International Folklore Festival in Kosovo.
2004- For the first time, the “Career Award” is given, at the nationwide festival of the Civic Folk Song

COMPOSITION OF THE GROUP DURING THE TIME PERIOD
1957 – 2003
Fadil Taga, director of the first group, accordionist Ali Goga, violinist, dancer, singer Latif Nuna , accordionist, group leader Mustafa Llubanai, group singer Xhemat Kulli, violinist, singer, actor Emin Goci, group singer, actor Qazim Berberi, group singer Qazim Qoshja, soloist, group singer Hysen Dana, group singer Hysen Kaçiu, singer in the group Bejte Meneci, soloist, singer in the group Osman Rroshi, singer in the group Et’hem Teta, singer in the group Mehmete Hoxha, singer in the group Ali Hyka, dancer of the Cretan duo Xhemal Hoxha, dancer of the Cretan duo Jahe Caca, soloist, group singer Meleqe Llubani, carrier and creator Vogël Taga, group singer Hamdi Hoxha, group singer Xhemat Dollma, group singer, actor Vogël Mallkuçi, clarinet player Muharrem Sulejmani, toy player Ali Tuçi, tambourine and jazz player Hysen Llubani, director, organizer, (1970 – 1980) Haxhi Shagaj, singer in the group Qazim Toska, singer in the group Rexhep Goga, soloist, singer in the group Mustafa Dervni, soloist, singer in the group Bajram Kërtyta, dancer of the dance with a limb Hasan Preza, singer in the group Haxhi Çopani, singer in the group Ali Çopani, soloist, singer in the group Muharrem Loci, soloist, actor, dancer Muharrem Mustafa, singer in the group Osman Dedja, singer in the group Mustafa Rroshi, singer in the group Qamil Kulli, singer in band Kamber Kovaçi, singer in the band Mustafa Hoxha, dancer of the dance “Plakë e nuse” Hami Hyka, dancer of the Cretan duo Rexhep Dibrani, singer in the band Sejfulla Blushi, singer in the band Abdyl Hushi, singer in the band Nazmi Llubani, singer in the band Petrit Kasmi, singer in the group Saba Meçe, singer in the group Sulejman Lalzi, singer in the group Nexhmedin Kaloshi, singer in the group, dancer Asllan Subashi, singer in the group, dancer Qazim Kupi, singer in the group, dancer Enver Tufa, singer in the group, actor Beg Mema, singer in the group, actor Hasan Tufa, singer in the group Skënder Reka, accordionist Myfit Goga, singer, clarinetist Thanas Papa, soloist, singer in the group Sabri Qesja, singer in the group Xhemal Llubani, singer in the group Vesel Nova, singer in the Sabri group Keçi, jazz instrumentalist Muhabet Darova, instrumentalist, accordionist Agim Darova, instrumentalist, guitarist Islam Doku, soloist, singer in the group Saba Tema, soloist, singer in the group Kujtim Tema, soloist, singer in the group Agim Bega and Shqipe Bega, dance dancer “Malenake” Hajdar Sula, singer in the group Seid Guni, singer in the group Muharrem Sheta, violinist, fiddler Sali Baruni, singer, violinist Mehmet Sheta, singer, violinist Guri Dema, singer in the group Hasan Tahiri, singer in the group Luan Sallaku, painter

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Albanian Cinematography in activity since 2013
References and sources: selection of information from “Balkan web” / Other online Albanian newspapers 2014-2021/ “Tirana Observer” – 2005