Andrea Skanjeti (August 20, 1906 – November 29, 1992) Director; director; playwright; translator; writer; philatelist and dictionary preparation. People's Artist! "If there is any success in my many years of work, it is mainly dedicated to the trust and love that the amateurs had for me, without underestimating their ability and talent". This is how the first director of the "Migjeni" Theater – Shkoder will express himself. As a director, he was also the first to open the doors of this theater. To this institution with traditions in Shkoder, Andrea with his talent and knowledge laid the sure foundations of longevity and continuity in time and space. Andrea Skanjeti gave everything from his life to the theater of his hometown. This great director, perhaps it is a paradox, one day before his death, on November 28, 1992, he was given the title "People's Artist". When he was in high school, Andrea tried to write a play, although it was unsuccessful. However, he did not neglect the theater. With the persistence that characterized him, he attends the performances of the Societies "Vllaznia", "Bogdani" and the School of Stigmatine Nuns. During this period, he took part in the College performances such as the figures, in the drama "Mill Mines", "Konto cavallo" etc. but also as a singer in music academies. It was the time when he lived in the street in front of the cinema, called Parruce's school. As a child, he followed the rehearsals and performances that were given there, especially those from the "Vllaznia" Society. On January 1, 1923, the literary society named "Jehona" was founded with five high school students: Gjergj Ashta, Injac Saraci, Pashko Kovaci, Nush Gjonej, Andrea Skanjeti. Later the circle was expanded with Nush Sheldia, Gazper Ljarja Kel Abati, Luke Mosi, Zef Serreqi, Fahri Dambulla, Lec Ndreka and some others. The purpose of this Society was the development and promotion of literature by preparing stories and fairy tales for publication, holding conferences and social-educational events for school students, as well as writing and staging theatrical and translated works. During this time, at Gjimanzi Franceskan, Andrea does not break away from theater activity, on the contrary, she deepens it by participating in the Society "Gjon Krajni me shoke", helping with the repertoire and direction of the group of the Society "Shkodra". Right after the closing of the private schools, in the area of the Franciscans, by a group of students, this school was founded in 1933 "Antonian" Society. In the beginning, it consisted of high school students, artisans and workers who participated in various activities such as sports, music and especially theater. The musical band, which used to belong to the school, was now held by the "Antoniane" Society. The members of the theater branch that appear in the records of this Society were: Ndoc Harapi, Injac Ndoja, Ndoc Gora (later prompter in the People's Theatre), Ndreke Shkjezi (later an actor in this theater); Lin Gjonej, Paulin Sekuj (later director at the Migjeni Theatre), Gjon Karma (later an actor at the People's Theater and theater historian) Pjeter Gjoka (later an actor of T. P), Marian Skanjeti (brother of Andreas), Prenke Jakova (prominent composer), Pjeri n Bushati, Prenke Kcira, Ndoc Sheldia (later an actor of the "Migjeni" Theater), Pistol Soja (later an actor of the "Migjeni" Theater), Dede Nikaj, Nike Daka, Pashko Gjeci (with late distinguished translator); Zef Mjeda (later the chairman of the "Bogdani" Society), Zef Marashi, Shan Zadrima, Gasper Bicaj, Mati Shiroka, Cesk Vuksani (later scenographer of the Shkodra Theater), Lec Fishta (later scenographer of the Shkodra Theater), Rrok Sheldia, Lec Simoni, Tom Leci, Pjerin Ashiku, (later a prominent composer), Lush Radoja, Simon Radoja, Luigj Gjysja and of course others. The theater of the Stigmatine school lasted three decades. In 1914, he published the drama "From Slavery to Freedom", a work translated from the Italian language. Students Pina Pistulli, Lezina Muzhani, Liza Pema, Liza Fishta, Roza Shiroka represented in this premiere. While the "Rozafa" Society was founded on February 13, 1918 and lasted until October 14, 1939. The oldest and most prestigious city society has the longest life. The founders of this company are: Simon Gurakuqi-shoemaker; Kel Luka – commissioner; Cin e Nushe Daia – carpenter; Gege Gurakuqi – employee; Shuk Paloka – shoemaker; Tonin Dajci – barber; Luigj Dajci – mechanic; Gjon Lacaj – tailor; Kole Kosmaci While the company "Bogdani" had these founders: Luigj Mjeda, Luigj Thaci; Shtjefen Cefa, Ndoc Vasia, Rrok Zadeja, Kole Harapi, Nushe Paci, Kole Guga, Kole Shiroka and Ndoc Guga and others. A little later Zef Harapi, Cin Capeli, Kole Dema, Zef Kovaci, Ndoc Prendushi, Ndoc Lushi, Loro Kovaci (later People's Artist and prominent actress of the State / People's Theatre) came. Thus, throughout the years of Andrea's life, each society with its own features and characteristics left a mark on his recent artistic activity. Thus, within a relatively short time, Andrea wrote the 5-act drama "Ali Pashe Tepelena and suljotiet". I think the role of Ali Pashaj should be given to the young actor Kole Jakova, while Ndoc Bazhdari will embody the character of the unlucky adviser, the well-known actor Ndoc Meshkalla was chosen for Mark Zhavellen, and Gjergj Deli Camuku was chosen for Foto Zhavellen. The seamstress Ndoc Temali, an old amateur of the "Vllaznia" company and the "Shkodra" Theater, was engaged in sewing 40 costumes for the drama. After the success of this drama in question, "Vllaznia" staged "Dream of 500 years" with the same author, who at the same time submits for publication the other comic part entitled "Kush e kerkon e gen", in the editorial office of the magazine " Circus". In v. 1938 translates and stages the drama "Mortja e mesnates", the one-act comedy "Prisoners", publishes 5 stories in the magazine "Hylli i Drites". The last story "The Unexpected Gift" is published in Albanian and German in the book "Alshqiperia Rrefen" written by Maksimilian Lambertz. The dramas: "The Secret of the Blue Envelope", "Legionaret", the operetta "Festa e Lalave", the comedy "Filcigeni" (translation and adoption) also belong to these years. Andrea Skanjeti is sent for a period of time for specialization in Tirana, and with new horizons of thought, with new stage projects, he comes to his hometown as a young director. With the central group of the Theater of the House of Culture, she staged the melodramatic piece "Wedding", of which she is also the author. The show was followed by a wide audience and marked a great success for the time. It also puts on stage: "Under the chestnuts of Prague"; "Engagement"; "Naughty"; "The Great Journey". In the time period 1946-1949, he has a denser dramatic activity with consecutive successes. For years they have been preparing the creation of a professional theater in the city, where the director Skanjeti will reveal his authorial and directorial skills. The years 1951-1952 found the "Migjeni" Theater in the path of performing arts in a satisfactory professional manner. But in v. 1952 Andrea will return to the House of Culture, "in his beloved nest". He staged the opera "Mrika", with the libretto of the poet Llazar Siliqi and the music of the People's Artist Prenke Jakova. In 1958, an important event was marked for the artistic life of the city of Shkodra, the new "Migjeni" theater was inaugurated, one of the best in our country. Approved: Andrea Skanjeti – director and director, Actors: Adem Kastrati; Antoneta Fishta; Ndreke Prela, Cezarina Ciftja, Ndoc Deda, Paulin Lacaj, Vitore Ujka (Nino), Tef Krroqi. Administration: Zef Jubani – accountant; Palok Kurti – prompter; Pjeter Deda – scenographer; Engjell Gjushi – tailor; Lec Prendi – carpenter; Semi-professional actresses with a monthly reward: Zef Jubani, Tinka Thani (Kurti), Cesk Vuksani, Qazim Lila, Lin Gjonej, Gjovalin Carkaxhia, Cin Lufi, Mark Bushati, Muhamet Ulqinaku, Halim Kali, Zef Maka, Zef Mirashi, Marie Buci , Ndoc Harapi and Rrok Sheldia. The professional theater of Shkodra gave its first performance in Tirana. The drama "Permbytja" performed by this ensemble is the work of Boris Lavranjev, and the director Andrea Skanjeti put it on stage. To be mentioned are also the performances of this troupe "Migjeni" of the time such as the drama "Votra e huej" by Ndreke Luce and directed by A. Skanjeti. The drama "Nora", written by Skanjeti and directed by him, was awarded the first prize in the national competition that was announced in 1969. The main role in this drama was successfully played by the 17-year-old actress Roza Xhuxha (Anagnosti). Later, "Nora" will be staged again with the direction of Violeta Sekuj, assistant director Tonin Ujka and the sets of Bep Shiroke and Lec Fishte. In this revival, the main role is played by Justina Aliaj, who brought an interesting figure, central and full of plastic. It is also worth mentioning the piece "Optimistic Tragedy" by V. V Vishnjevski, which in 1960 was put on the stage of this Theater "Migjeni" by the Russian director V. Bratko with the assistance of Andrea Skanjeti, a show which marks one of the highest interpretive points of this theater. It was given 15 times in a row and there were many requests for more. About 100 actresses and a symphony orchestra under the direction of Prenke Jakove were active in this performance. Besides Tinka Kurti in the role of the extraordinary commissioner, the actresses Lec Bushati in the role of Aleksei, Lec Ndreka in the role of the chief, Paulin Lacaj in the role of the officer and others stood out. Over the years, the indefatigable director Andrea Skanjeti staged many other works such as: "The Lottery Ticket"; "Shadows on the road"; "The right path"; "Beyond the threshold"; "Fisherman's family" etc. 
I developed and realized my childhood dream for the theater by working for more than half a century as a director and writer. He dedicated his life to this theater with an artistic balance of 190 plays; 86 comedies; 53 farces; 16 melodramas; 7 operettas; 7 boats; 4 monologues; 3 skits; 1 poetic-musical entertainment; 1 idyll and 1 vaudeville. Thus, the great director Andrea Skanjeti was also passionate about the Puppet Theater that was created in Shkoder at the end of the century. 1951. The task of creating this Theater was entrusted to him who accepted it with great pleasure and courage. Together with her friend, Angjelina (Njomi) Koliqin, who got involved and helped Andrea in making dolls. The basement of their house was turned into a workshop. The Puppet Theater starts to make a good name in the city. Until 1958, Andrea as a director staged 11 parts, many of them written by himself. Mention: "The pipe of the whistle"; "Little Liliana"; "The blacksmith of happiness"; "Three kids"; "Cinderella"; "Grandfather's lesson" etc. In v. 1961 staged 4 pieces translated by foreign authors such as: "Druvari"; "John the strong"; "The happy family"; "Happiness; ". Among the recent shows, we cannot forget the one like "Ceta e vogel e Skanderbeu"; "Gjumashet" (a drama in three acts by Kole Jakove) and with these, 23 premieres are marked with an activity of about 15 years. In this time period, about 60 actresses were represented: Julka Kakarriqi; Kole Jubani; Loro Banda; Kolec Pepa; Aneta Nikaj; Naim Tyli, Ramiz Rama, Bora Meta, Rrok Dajci; Fehmi Doraci; Tinka Kurti; Rrok Nenshati etc. Without forgetting, of course, the musical compositions of the People's Artist Prenke Jakova with the decorations made full of taste and fantasy by Lec Fishta. _______________________ Albanian cinematography in activity since 2013 Reference: "Memory of a city" – albas 2019 / Xh. Bushati / p. 29-39.
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