Shyqri Nimani, one of the most prominent Albanian artists, initiator of graphics in these parts who has left an indelible mark through the works and logos of the central institutions of Kosovo, died on Thursday. He was 82 years old. The news of his death was given by the Nimani family.
The multidimensional artist has been the bearer of the artistic life in the country, founder and leader of institutions, university professor and one of the most unique voices, among others the calligrapher of the Declaration of Independence, written on parchment.
He was born on May 6, 1941 in Shkoder. He completed his studies at the Academy of Applied Arts in Belgrade in 1967, where he also continued his postgraduate studies. For many years he was a graphic design teacher at the Faculty of Arts at the University of Pristina. For a decade he was the first director of the Art Gallery of Kosovo, since 1979.
According to his biography in the Encyclopedic Dictionary of Kosovo, Niman's artistic creativity includes the plate, illustrations, logos, graphic preparation of the book, as well as all applicable disciplines in graphics.
In the years 1976-1978 he stayed for artistic research in Japan and then made study trips to England, France, Italy, Albania, Russia, Spain, Greece, USA, Singapore and others. He held several personal exhibitions in the country and abroad, and the traces of his artistic skills are indelible even through logos. He is the author of the logo of the University of Pristina, the Art Gallery of Kosovo, Kosovafilm, RTV Pristina, "Grand Hotel Pristina" and many others.
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The artist and professor Shyqri Nimani died
The last farewell will be given on Friday in Pristina and in advance the tributes will be held at the National Theater of Kosovo from 14:15 to 17:00. The commemorative meeting will also be held there, while the burial will take place at XNUMX:XNUMX
The death of Shyqri Niman has been described as a great loss for the art of Kosovo.
The Minister of Culture, Hajrulla Çeku, in a telegram of condolence called Shyqri Niman a master of fine arts, a top name in this field.
"It is with sadness that we received the news of the death of your beloved, the master of fine arts, Professor Shyqri Niman. On behalf of myself and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, we express our sincerest condolences for your loss. We will remember him as one of the most prominent names of art in our country, who left behind a sensational career and deep artistic traces. As we remember only some of his works, such as the golden manuscript in the founding act of our state, the Declaration of the Proclamation of Independence of Kosovo, the creation of the identification logo of the "Grand Hotel", KosovaFilm and the symbol of the University of Pristina, we say with all my heart that Professor Nimani with full and indisputable merit has taken a place of honor in the long list of creators and researchers of our time.
We will be grateful and forever grateful to him for his contribution to the establishment of the Department of Graphic Design at the Faculty of Arts at the University of Pristina, for his contribution to the establishment of our art institutions, the leadership of the National Gallery of Kosovo, as well as for the monographs representative and important on the Albanian cultural heritage. Sincere condolences to family, friends, colleagues and the entire community."
The Minister of Education, Arbërie Nagavci, has said that Shyqyri Nimani dedicated his life to art, culture, science and education, to leave great works to the history of Kosovo.
"With great pain we received the news of the death of the painter, graphic designer and lecturer, prof. Shyqri Nimani, who did the calligraphy by hand on the parchment of the Declaration of Independence of Kosovo, in 2008. The physical separation of your loved one, prof. Shyqri Nimani, known in all Albanian spaces through art and proven work as a teacher, is a great loss for the country and in particular for the community of artists to which he belonged. With dedication and great will, Professor Nimani devoted his life to art, culture, science and education, to leave great works to the history of Kosovo.
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He made an outstanding contribution to higher education by imparting his knowledge and experience to students. On behalf of the Ministry of Education, I express my sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues!
Rest in peace to Professor Shyqri Niman!"
The National Gallery of Kosovo has remembered him for his works as well as for his contribution to the leadership of the highest institution of visual art in the country, since its establishment.
"With deep sadness, we received the news of the death of academician Shyqri Nimani. Prof. Nimani served as the first director of the National Gallery of Kosovo from its establishment in 1979 until 1989. During this time, the Gallery fund was built and enriched and more than 160 exhibitions were held. Shyqri Nimani is the author of a number of publications, including "Onufri and other medieval Albanian painters", 1987; "Contemporary Art of Kosovo", 1988; "Preparation of the book", 1990; "10×10 - Ars Longa Vita Brevis", 1994; "Albanian lands on maps and emblems", 1997; "Arnavud - Albanian Artists in the Ottoman Empire", 2003; "Stones of the Albanian Mosaic", 2011; "Mehmet Ali Pasha", 2012; "Albanian Artists During the Italian Renaissance" 20xx, and "Through Thorns to the Stars", 2017 among others. The National Gallery of Kosovo expresses its condolences to the family and the entire artistic community".
Shyqri Nimani was not only prominent in visual art but also as the author of studies where monographs and publications stand out: "Onufri and other medieval Albanian painters", "Contemporary Art of Kosovo", "Albanian Artists During the Italian Renaissance" and others. From the beginning of his career, he became known as a unique voice in music.
As a singer-songwriter, during the 60s, 70s and 80s he performed about 100 songs on Radio Television of Prishtina, as well as published three albums with the Jazz Orchestra of Radio Television of Belgrade. Songs such as "Adriatiku", "Ilirjana" and "Adriana", sung by Nimani, were once in the music charts of the former Yugoslavia.
This chapter of his art was returned to the stage with the concert "Through thorns to the stars", in December 2021, on the 80th anniversary of his career.
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Farewell to Shyqri Nimani, the name that gave Kosovo art and identity
"I think tonight everything that needed to be said was said and said in the most beautiful way, the most beautiful way that music does not exist. I have dealt with 12 different fields and arts, but I want to admit that music is the first art for the reason that it penetrates the human soul and brings it to life. And every time I listen to music today, I relax from my work", Nimani had declared.
...and with his work for six decades, Shyqri Nimani has left a precious art treasure.
