Interview with the playwright Fadil Kraja (2005)
The work: Creativity of Kraja includes 5 volumes of poems, three volumes of stories, two novels, over 40 plays and comedies, a book written in Italian and a novel written by him in Italian, which is expected to be released soon, librettos of operas and operettas, as well as creativity for children.
Poems and stories: “My Song” / “Mountain Melody” / “Mountain Echoes” “Paska’s Shadow” / “Nereida Incidents” .
Prose:
“The last candidate” / “It was to blame” / “Besa”/ “Silence that kills the soul” “L’aquila ferita” / “La gravidanza ferita” / “Scream of a woman (novel)”.
Drama and comedy: “Cartridge in the dowry” / “The Breakdown” / “Baca i Gjetajve” / “Love of our lands” / “Two dramas” / “Luani of the house” / “The last night” / “Quilt” / “Blood of Arberi” / “Signals of the night” / “The case of Blerta” / “Good boys” / “The end of a comedy” / “Flag at the wedding” / “When hearts speak”.
Awards and titles: Order “Grand Master” from the President of the Republic, Title “Pride of the City”, as well as dozens of titles and prizes in national literary competitions. 
Although of many years on his shoulders, it seemed that time has not dimmed the passion and love for the letters of the playwright Fadil Kraja, but, on the contrary, they have made him love them more. “These days, a new play I wrote will be staged by the Gjakova Theater. I have decided not to part with dramaturgy,” says playwright Kraja, in an interview for “Tirana Observer” (2005), adding that he will soon publish a book of poems.
How did you get involved with letters and how did you develop a passion for writing?
I got my love and passion for the world of art and literature from my family. It was my parents and relatives who taught me to enjoy many things in art and literature. I was part of a family that loved art very much. All had formed an almost indissoluble bond with art. I got my love for letters from my parents. From them I learned how to write the first line, how to read the first line of a poem, the first impressive book.
What was your first creation and what can you tell us about your beginnings?
I started my artistic life as a poet. Only after a certain artistic maturity have I dedicated myself to dramaturgy. I was 13 years old when I wrote the first poem that I published, in the newspaper “Letrari i ri” in 1947. After that, the road was open. In 1954, when I was 23 years old, I published my first volume of poetry entitled “My Song”. With this volume I got the first satisfaction in the field of creation. I was awarded the first prize in the competition of the 10th anniversary of the liberation of the homeland. In the same year, in the national literary competition for young people, the poem “Teacher of Malta” won the first prize.
What is the most special memory you keep from all these years of creativity? 
I remember the premiere of “Baca to Gjetajve”. It was given on April 16, 1979, the day after the great earthquake. “Migheni” theater hall was overflowing. In the middle of the show there was a small earthquake shake. Neither the people nor the actors remembered him. On the contrary, everything went smoothly. We performed that drama in 27 Albanian cities and a year later in Gjakova. The hall there was filled with shouts. In Presevo, an old man excited by the jokes performed by the great Ndreke Luca came on stage and put his cell to the actor. Ndreka kept that cell and that day said: “I want to be buried with this cell.”
And when did you write the first play?
“Fisheku ne paje” was written in 1967 and staged by director Serafin Fanku. The success of this drama made Fadili withdraw from this genre. The drama has had over 500 performances in Albania, but also in Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and the diaspora and it was a success everywhere. 
In your plays, the connection with history is also noticed. Can you name some of your pieces where historical events feature prominently?
I have separated many events from history, which I have placed in my plays, such as “Baca i Gjetajve”, “Shpartallimi” etc. But in addition to history, I have tried to include poetry in my plays. “Gjaku i Arbri” for example, in addition to the ideas of dramatic weaves, there is also poetry in it. In fact, this drama was originally written in verse.
Where and how does Fadil Kraja find inspiration to write?
I like to write in the summer. I even wrote the best parts on the beach. With the family, we always went to the beach of Shengjin, and while everyone was going to the sea and the shore, I was in the room with my characters. But even Shkodra remains irreplaceable for me. Shkodra is resurrected from its own ashes, and will be resurrected again, because from the lake, from the three rivers, from the sea and the nearby Alps, the balm that heals every wound springs.
You are 75 years old, yet you continue to work. What do you have in hand these moments and what will you appear in public soon?
These days, a new play I wrote will be staged by the Theater of Gjakova. I have decided not to part with dramaturgy, although from time to time I turn my eyes to novels and poems. Thus, another volume of poems will be released soon.
Serafin Fanko: Fadil is my best friend No one can express his appreciation for Fadil Kraja better than his best friend and collaborator, director Serafin Fanko.
“Two years ago, Fadil gave me one of his works. The autograph said: “To my best friend and brother Serafini”. Two years later, this is how I want to address Fadil Kraja. To my friend and brother, Fadil Kraja. Both of us were united by our work, our joys and our passions and successes. I remember that when I started my studies as a director, I promised Fadil that the first drama I would stage would be his In 1967, we staged “Fisheku ne paja”, which guaranteed a great success for both of us”, said the director Fanko.
“Taken from “Tirana Observer” – 2005
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Albanian Cinematography since 2013
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