Muharrem Qena

Who was Muharrem Qena?

Muharrem Qena was a Kosovo Albanian actor, director, writer and singer. He went to high school in Pristina, and he completed the school of film in Belgrade.

He is one of the founders of the theatrical scene in Kosovo and of Albanian light music. He immersed his great talent of a theatre director, actor, writer and singer/songwriter into becoming one of the most fruitful artistic creators. Qena directed over 200 plays, several of which were awarded in the former Yugoslavia, including ‘Bashkëshortet’, ‘The Lady of the Camellias’, ‘Erveheja’, ‘Men of broken Hopes’, ‘Enemy of the People, ‘Ambrosio’ etc. He remains one of the most awarded Kosovo artists. His production of ‘Erveheja’ received five most renowned awards at the national meeting of theatres in 1967, in Novi Sad.

He also directed numerous TV-dramas as well as short films and documentaries. Also distinguished are his performances as a film actor in Kapaten Lleshi, ‘Proka’, ‘The rabbit with five paws’, ‘Kukumi. The author of the awarded theatre play, ‘Bashkeshortet’ and playwright of others staged in Kosovo. Funder of theatres in Prizren, Đakovica and Gnjilane. Singer and author of contemporary songs in the 60’s that resist the years: Kaçurrelja, Shokut, Lamtumirë, Mine, Tetori. Most recently, Qena was awarded the Life Time Achievement Award at Kosovo’s international theatre festival in September 2004.