Poetic evening of the Czech-Albanian Friendship Association featuring masters in music and poetry

17.10.2023 / 16:02 | Aktualizováno: 17.10.2023 / 16:14

The expat association in Albania, emerging from the engaged community of Albanian students in former Czechoslovakia, supported by the Czech Embassy in Tirana, organized an evening with music performance of classic Czech masters and poetry reading in respective Albanian and Czech translations.

The poetic evening took place on the day of St. Wenceslas, on September 28, 2023 in the beautiful music hall “Çesk Zadeja“ of the Arts University in Tirana in the presence of many guests.

A flute quartet performed Antonin Dvořák´s compositions Humoresque and Slavic Dances and Leoš Janáček´s Suite. Soprano and piano artists Erina Balla and Suada Haka delivered the legendary Dvořák´s arias Dejte klec jestřába ze zlata ryzího, Gypsy song and To the moon and Kdo v zlaté struny zahrát zná by Karl Dobr. The guests also heard Scherzo Divertiment by Bohuslav Martinů and 2 Skica by Klodian Qafoku performed by quartet with flute solist Jonela Golemi accompanied by piano artist Suada Haka. The sung musical compositions of Czech artists were admirably delivered in Czech language.

Poetry reading followed the musical performances. The guests listened to the Journey home (Cestička k domovu) by Karel Rais and For a bit of love (Za trochu lásky) by Jaroslav Vrchlický as well as The words of the candle (Fjalët' e qiririt) by Naim Frashëri each in orginal as well as Albanian/Czech translations. The parallel reading of the poems reflecting the unique characters of Czechs and Albanians confirmed the mutually enriching artistic interlinkage.

At the closure of the event, Ambassador Karel Urban extended his thanks to the deeply engaged expat community, notably the association executive director, Mrs., Anile Shehi.