Vani Trako
Basic actor of Korca`s Theater “A.Z Cajupi” and Albanian cinema. He was a Singer too!
Born on January 7, 1923 in the village of Boboshtica in the district of Korça. At a young age, when he was 10 years old, he started singing at various parties in Boboshtice, so much so that the residents nicknamed him “The Nightingale of the Village”.
Trako also did different jobs when he was a teenager to help his family. In 1937, he won the competition to enter the “Jovan Banga” Theological School (Korçe), but with the fascist occupation in 1939, the school was closed and he could not continue.
The upheavals in Tirana and poverty and unemployment make Vani (18 years old) in 1940-1941 get a job there in the capital. He would continue his artistic activity in the partisan formations, where he was a singer of the Partisan Choir of the Country Command (2nd Division Choir) in support of the rifle.
After the liberation in 1945, he was transferred to the army ensemble where, in addition to the choir, he also participated in the theater group directed by Sokrat Mio.
In December 1947, was released from the army, returned to Korçe and was active there with the amateur theater group until 1950, the year in which the professional theater was created.
In 1950, in the professional theater in Korça, he played his first lead role as Goduni in the drama “Inversion” (Permbysja). His artistic activity extends every year by staging hundreds of pieces in schools, work centers, cooperatives, military units, the Pionier’s House and the Palace of Culture of Korça.
Some of the shows in which Vani participates were “Shadows of the night”, “Kopraci”, “Doctor pa dashka”, “Swamp”, “Aphrodite’s Island”, “Weddings in the war”, “Volpone”, and others.
Also participates in the Albanian cinematography with the films “Tana” (1958) (the first Albanian film), “Stars of the long nights” (1973), “The Alleys that seek the sun” (1975), “Coping” (1976) and “Martyrs of monuments” (1980).
In 1952, he was sent to Moscow with the state cultural delegation for an official visit. Then, around the 60s, he was appointed director of the “Andon Z. Çajupi” theater in Korça, a decision he opposed, motivated by his passion for performing arts.
In the 70s, as an actor and director, Trako staged two operettas with the children of the Pioneer House for a national competition in Tirana: “Butterflies” and “Dance of Karançave”, both of which were awarded with the flag and the first prize.
In theater and cinematography, he would work with love and passion showing his talent until his retirement.
Meanwhile, Vani Trako is not separated from the song, he sings and participates in the characteristic Korça choir “Kori Lyra”, from which he did not leave for more than four decades.
He also took part in the “St. Ilia” Church Choir and since 1998 organized and led the “St. Thanasi” Church Choir. In his repertoire of songs were those with patriotic themes, the songs of “Memedheu”, lyrical and satirical songs, of love for nature, country and man.
His acting accomplishments and various activities have brought Vani praise from specialists and spectators.
Vani Trako has been honored by various institutions with medals, orders as well as the title “Merited Artist”.
On December 28, 2009, Vani passed away at the age of 86 after suffering for months from an incurable disease.
Vani is one of the heavy stones that were laid in the foundations of the professional Korča`s theater.
In Cinematography, he took part in the films:
1958 – “Tana” / 1972 “Stars of the long nights” / 1975 – The Alleys that seeks the sun; 1976 – “Coping” / 1977 – “Flag in the waves” (Miku) / 1978 – “With the steps of Friends” (Father of Sokol) / 1980 – “Martyrs of monuments” (Grandfather) / 1981 – Dawns of the great season (uncle Banushi)
Previously published in December 2013 and revised in the following years
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Albanian Cinematography in 2013
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