Panajot Kolo (1928-2006)
Pioneer of Albanian theater directing. The first qualified director with a higher education.
Born in Gjirokaster on October 12, 1928, in the Varosh neighborhood. His life had its diversions. His talent for art appeared at a young age, around 14 years old, and then with the Partisan`s Theater, in Kiev when he went to study, and especially also in Durres with the Theater “A. Moisiu” for more than 30 years at the head of this theater.
Panajot started his activity with the school’s amateur groups and with the “House of Culture” in Gjirokaster. The name of his professor Injac Zamputi will influence him the most, it will be precisely the professor who will encourage the artist on his further path towards the theater, the eternal passion of P. Kolos.
In 1948, at the age of 20, he went to study in Kiev, Ukraine, in the Soviet Union at that time, in the field of acting and directing. Kolo defends his diploma with three parts from Russian works, Maxim Gorky with “Zhukovsky’s Family”, a play by N. Ostrovsky “Dowry Bride” and a contemporary Soviet part of the time.
After finishing his studies during the period 1948-1953, he was appointed to the theater “A. Moisiu”, Durres on August 8, 1953. Since the Albanian theater was generally amateur, here he opened a studio where, together with the actors he found there, he worked on the mastery of the actor, for diction, gradually introducing professionalism in the theater of Durrës.
14 are the first actors of the creation that the director P. Kolo found in the theater of Durres, such as Nikolin Xhoja, Meropi Xhoja, Athanas Xhimitiku, Spiro Urumi, Teodor Rupi, Vlash Kalavaci, Semiha Ishmi, Bernardina Qerraxhia, Kolë Tafili, Dhimitër Spiru, Sotir Afezolli , Ferial Alibali, Llazar Murati and Kost Lezhja.
Kolo put on the stage for the first time the comedy “Marriage” with the main role performed by the great actor Nikolin Xhoja. The premiere of this comedy was very successful. Afterwards, dramas and comedies by Albanian and foreign authors are staged. Dramas and comedies like “The Fisherman’s Family” would remain unforgettable. “Prefect”, “Our land”, “Lotery`s Ticket” (1964) by Dionis Bubani as well as musical ones, opera “Skenderbeu” by Albanian authors.
As for foreigners, Gogol’s “Marriage”, Chekhov’s “Engagement”, “Women’s School” and Moliere’s “Satin Tricks”, all these pieces were directed by Pano Kolo.
He has devoted a continuous attention to the theoretical elaborations of the actor’s skill, for the way of interpretation and implementation of the characters, as well as he has written a historical monograph on the theater movement of the city of Durres, which has its beginnings in scenes of dramas, comedies of Greek and Roman classics.
All these related to ancient Durrah. A special merit for the veteran director of the theater P. Kolo, is the affirmation of actresses such as Todi Thanasi, Spiro Urumin, Dhorke Ndini, Nikolin Xhoja, Vangjel Heba, Lutfi Hoxha, Fadil Hasa, Haxhi Rama, Lumturi Dashi and many others in the following .
Panajot staged 60 premieres with the theater troupe “A. Moisiu”, a number that speaks volumes for his contribution to this artistic institution. In these 60 premieres, the best parts of Albanian and world dramaturgy were staged, a significant and meaningful fact. After 17-18 years of work, in creating the face and originality of the theater, P. Kolo is sent to the palace “Youth”, which was created 3 years ago. It became clear that the amateur art of the powerful working class of Durrës, from its main institution the “Rinia” palace, to the scenes of enterprises, should also be strengthened and given a face. Even here, that tireless and demanding man in the new findings of the performing arts.
He discovered many actors and actresses. Worked closely with the historical composer of the city, Agron Xhunga, also having a support from the artistic intuition of the writer and masonic Bardhyl Agasi, and created the famous musical surveys. The game of comedians Fadil Hasa, Muharrem Hoxha, Gani Kalaja, Myftar Kurti, Vera Xhemali, Kiço Veshi, combined with songs performed by Zija Saraçi, Jolanda Dhamo, Miga Hysi, Rajmonda Kamberi, Petrit Dobjani, etc. brought an unprecedented crowd to the doors of the Palace of Youth.
Director and artist Panajot Kolo passed away in Tirana in 2006.
© Reserved material | The exclusivity on this page is dated April 18, 2022
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Albanian Cinematography in activity since 2013
The photos were taken from a video documentary about the artist on the occasion of his 70th birthday – TVSH
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