The play "Long Journey to the Night" has been announced as the winner of the 53rd edition of the Ferizaj Theater Festival, which closed on Monday night. The production of the National Theater of Kosovo, under the direction of Iliriana Arifi and with a text by Eugene O'Neil, has been rated as the best by the jury consisting of the actor-director Mentor Zymberaj, the director Iliran Himaj and the playwright and journalist Getoarbë Mulliqi. This year, eight shows competed for the top prize, while one was out of the running.
As in all other shows that were presented in Ferizaj, on September 2 when the winning show was played, the hall was full. "The Long Journey into the Night" unfolds interesting stories of its five characters.
Ernest Malazogu, Arta Selimi, Allmir Suhodolli, Don Shala and Florie Bajoku played these main characters, who are united by the room, but never single-minded. The play "The Long Journey to the Night", which takes the audience inside an almost destroyed family, was premiered in Kosovo at the beginning of June.
"This award certainly belongs to the team, Arta, the director and all the people who work at the National Theater of Kosovo. In the wake of these dedications, please allow me to dedicate this year's prize to the former actor Xhevat Qorraj, said Sheremeti.
Director Ilir Bokshi received the award for the best direction for the play "The Liar", a production of the "Adriana" theater in Ferizaj. The actor Shkumbin Istrefi received the "Best Actor" award for his role in the play "Arbri" written and directed by Lirak Çelaj, a production of the "Oda" theater. While accepting the award, he said that they were pleased to receive the invitation to be part of the FTF, especially this year, when it was not financed by the Ministry of Culture.
"It's good that Adri's show was not in competition because this award would certainly go to Adri. It is a special pleasure and an honor for me to accept an award from this Festival with a great tradition, so I first thank the Festival which invited the show 'Arbri' here, then also the jury who honored me with this award" said the actor Shkumbin Istrefi.
Meanwhile, the award for the best actress went to Aurita Agushi for her role in the play "Rose Tattoo" directed by Zana Hoxha, a production of the "Bekim Fehmiu" theater in Prizren.
"I want to thank Zana Hoxha for always trusting me in her work and I want to tell her not to give me the main roles. Unfortunately, my dearest people who would have rejoiced at this success of mine are no longer with me, one of them is the very honorable, my professor Haqif Mulliqi and my very dear friend, because I know that after this he would give me a hug because he would enjoy my successes as always, but I know that tonight Hope will give me that hug".
Mumin Abdullahu for his role in the play "Crocodile" and actress Arta Selimi for her role in the winning play "Long Journey to the Night" were awarded for secondary roles.
This year, the organizers have decided to establish the "Upcoming Star" award, which from this year will be awarded to young theater artists, be it a director, actor, costume designer, scenographer or composer, who brings a unique creative or performing performance and who promises to be future theater star. The first winner of this award is the actress Zhaneta Xhemajli for her role in the play "Sober" that this year its director, Butrint Pasha, won the "Best Director" award. This show is a production of "Artpolis".
Ferizaj actor Arben Marevci won the "Best episodic role" award for the play "Liar", while Bekim Korça received the award for the best scenography for the play "The Truth" from the Theater of Gjilan. The award for the best costume design went to Njomza Luci. Her costumes for "The Liar" are unique.
The award ceremony on the ninth and last night of the Festival - in the full hall, as has happened in all this year's shows at the "Adriana Abdullahu" theater - was preceded by the play "I am a woman myself", with lyrics by Doug Wright, directed by Kushtrim Koliki. With his skills as an actor honed on stage, actor Adrian Morina excelled in his role as transgender Sharlotte Von Mahlsdorf.
Sharing one of the prizes, Morina said that the problems that the Festival of Theaters of Ferizaj had with finances, united the artistic community even more and that she had the pleasure of being on the stage of the Theater of Ferizaj.
"When the Festival did not find support from the Ministry of Culture for this year and I believe that this mistake will not be repeated again, a very good thing happened because the entire artistic community offered even more to this festival. This festival needs artists more than politicians".
An empty seat, but with his name, was a sign of memory for the playwright and university professor Haqif Mulliqi, who died on July 25, at the age of 65.
This year the Ministry of Culture has not given a single cent to the Festival as there have been clashes and accusations with the organizers of the Festival who refused the Memorandum of Cooperation with which they pledged to finance this year's edition. Minister Hajrulla Çeku did not participate in both the opening and closing of the Festival.
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