Margarita Xhepa

Margarita Xhepa (born 2 April 1932;^[1] Aromanian: Margarita Gepa^[2]) is an Albanian actress, best known as one of the great ladies of Albanian cinema and theater. She continues to play in recent films such as Firdus in Bolero ne vilen e pleqve, based on the novel of the same title by Fatos Kongoli.^[3]

Margarita Xhepa
Xhepa in 2021
Born	(1932-04-02) 2 April 1932 (age 91) Lushnjë, Albania
Education	Jordan Misja Artistic Lyceum
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1958–present
Spouse	Xhavit Xhepa (m. 1986–1987)
Children	Ndricim Xhepa, Sokol Xhepa
Parent(s)	Zoi Prifti, Marije Prifti
Awards	People's Artist

Early life

Xhepa is an ethnic Aromanian.^[4][5] She was born in Lushnjë, Albania, as Margarita Prifti to Zoi and Marijë Prifti. Her mother died when Margarita was nine years old. From an early age, she loved Albanian poetry, and her teacher encouraged her to join acting classes. Gëzim Libohova, a well known drama teacher at the time at the cultural institute of Lushnjë, was scouting among local schools for an appropriate match for the role of a young Russian girl in a theatre play. As he saw Xhepa, he immediately chose her due to her blonde hair and blue eyes. The play was so successful it premiered also in Fier and Berat.

After finishing elementary school, she applied to the well known Liceu Artistik (School of Arts) in Tirana, in the drama department.^[6]

Career

She began her career in Tirana, at the National Theatre (Albanian: Teatri Kombëtar). There she acted in plays by Anton Chekov, Friedrich Schiller, and Nikolai Gogol, among others. She has presented the first Festivali i Këngës in 1962.

She has been named a People's Artist of Albania.

International success

The actress has been awarded the Actor Of Europe award in the 19th edition of the International Theater Festival. The main award for best acting went to one of the most important actresses in the wider space of Balkan theater, for the role of 'Lady Mother' in the play Who Brought Doruntina, directed by Laert Vasili.^[7]

Filmography

1. Unë Jam Lepuri – (1999)
2. 4 Nënat e Lepurit dhe Uznova '95 – (1995)
3. E dashur Armike – (1993)
4. E Zeza e Nënës – (1993)
5. E shtuna e 11 Korrikut Xhiro – (1992)
6. Gjyshja dhe Motra – (1992)
7. Nositi – (1990)
8. Uznova '89 (1989)
9. Këngët Të Zemrës – (1987)
10. Vrasje Në Gjueti – (1987)
11. Rrethi i Kujtesës – (1987)
12. Fjalë pa Fund – (1987)
13. Dhe Vjen Një Ditë dhe Gabimi – (1986)
14. Gurët e shtëpisë sime – (1985)
15. Militanti – (1984)
16. Apasionata – (1983)
17. Dora e ngrohtë – (1983)
18. Shokët – (1982)
19. Dita e parë e emrimit – (1981)
20. Me hapin e shokëve – (1979) (TV)
21. Dollia e dasmës sime – (1978)
22. Gjeneral gramafoni – (1978)
23. Koncert në vitin 1936 (1978)
24. Dimri i fundit – (1976)
25. Pylli i lirisë – (1976)
26. Tokë e përgjakur – (1976)
27. Vitet e para – (1965)

References

1. Elsie, Robert (19 March 2010). Historical Dictionary of Albania. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-7380-3.
2. Ballamaci, Iancu (September–October 2012). "Figuri ilustri di etnia aromână/vlahă tu Arbinușiă / Figura të shquara të etnisë arumune/vllahe në Shqipëri". Frația (in Albanian and Aromanian). Vol. 9–10, no. 198–199. pp. 10–11.
3. ObserverKult (6 January 2022). "Filmi "Bolero në vilën e pleqve" rikthen në kinema Margarita Xhepën e Robert Ndrenikën, aktorja: Isha e sëmurë, por…!". ObserverKult. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
4. "Minoriteti Vllah/Arumun" (in Albanian). State Committee on Minorities. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
5. Bizhyti, Jovan (4 October 2015). "Vllehtë në hapësirat myzeqare". Gazeta DITA (in Albanian).
6. "Diva Margarita Xhepa". 24 June 2018.
7. "Kush triumfoi në "Festivalin Ndërkombëtar të Teatrit"?". 13 July 2021.

External links

• Margarita Xhepa at IMDb
• Margarita Xhepa^{[permanent dead link]} at Kinemaja Shqiptare (in Albanian)