Meropi Xhoja (1926 – 2009) | Commemorative!

Meropi Xhoja (1926 – 2009)
Actress of the “Aleksander Moisiu” Theater, Durres, and also she was active in several Albanian films. Holds the title “Merited Artist”.

The only daughter of Nikolla and Katerina Zagorilla from Durrës. Meropi was born in Durres on April 20. Her father left her alone when she was 6 months old, and she grew up under the care of her mother and brothers, especially Sotiraq, who was one of the most popular photographers at the time. He was precisely the one who introduced her to the path of art. Xhoja finished high school in her hometown.

Xhoja became active early in the city Amateur Theatrical Movement, taking the stage as early as 1937 and then following along with the central group of the House and Culture of Durres. She appeared on stage before she met the unforgettable artist Nikolin Xhoja, performing with her brother, who often served as a prompter. Meropi played her first role when she was 18 years old.  It was the role of a mother, as an amateur, and then after that she will not leave the stage. Also very supported by the director Ismail Cela, who activated her in almost all the performances.

He appreciated the talent of Meropi, but it must be said that he also felt the need for girls on stage, who were few.

Meropi and Nikolin Xhoja have been neighbors and their acquaintance is a love story related to a letter. In 1944, Nikolin was in the third brigade in aid of Kosovo. In the letters he wrote to his mother, Parashqevi (she, being Italian, could not read in Albanian and asked for help from Meropi). When Meropi wrote her answer, she added a phrase: “I greet you from afar.” Meropi.

When Nikolin returned from the war, after a few days, they were stopped on the street, precisely when Meropi was going to perform in the Theater.
– Where are you going – he asked her. I can come with you too.
– Yes, you didn’t have a job, come on – Meropi answers …..

Nikolin was a charming and very kind boy. Immediately there and then, they both play a role together, since the great Xhoja had also played in the partisan theater. After 6 months of dating, they got engaged and married. Ideal spouses, excellent parents and wonderful stage partners. She is among the founding actresses of the theater “A. Moisiu” in Durres, in 1953, and then moved to the professional variety show with its creation, in 1960. She had original talent as a comic actress, adaptability, improvisational power, truth and organicity.

Meropi has played in several premieres of that theater, but she was highly praised in the comedy “Martesa” by Gogol with the role of Agafina, in which she played the resourceful, provocative and unscrupulous woman, joker and gossip.

Her most beautiful role as a theater actress was Hajria in Besim Levonje’s comedy “The Prefect”, where her partner was her husband, Nikolin, in the role of Qazim Mulleti, making a harmonious and very communicative duet.

Meropi Xhoja has played a lot of roles in the Durres Estrada, but she stood out especially in her liberating portrayals of peasant women, uncared for or talkative, etc.

It was characterized by a dynamic game, with temperament and sometimes extravagant accents, but combined with an organic personality, which made her game natural and attractive.

In cinematography, we can mention the films:
“Bronze Bust” – 1970; “Captain” – 1972; “Spring trip” – 1975; “Sounds of War” – 1976 etc.

After 1991, she settled in Italy, in her husband’s hometown. She holds the title “Merited Artist”. Meropi Xhoja passed away in 2009.

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Albanian Cinematography in activity since 2013
Reference: Articles from the Albanian newspaper Online | Century newspaper. Interview with Meropi Xhoja in May 2013 as well as the book “Encyclopedia, Theater and Albanian Cinematography” – Toena 2009 / J. Papagjoni / p. 548

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