01.05.2022

On the evening of May 1st, 2022, the audience had the opportunity to experience special emotions at the premiere of the play “The Bug” written by Shpëtim Selmani and directed by Zana Hoxha.

Set in the “House of Leaves,” in Tirana, Albania, where once the personalities and ordinary citizens were eavesdropped on, “The Bug” comes as a reflection of the past of the Albanian people, and a call to reflect and learn from it.

The audience, like “leaves” or “bug” simultaneously experienced two parallel worlds, the dictatorship in Albania and the Yugoslav regime in Kosova. The stories of eavesdropping, torture, horror, and the oppression of thousands of Albanians come to life skillfully through the two protagonists, Dervish Shaqa and Musine Kokalari.

For director Zana Hoxha, the protagonists of the play “The Bug” are symbols of resistance in different ways: “One a rhapsodist, a steadfast figure through song, and the other an activist, a dissident artist who gave her life without losing her integrity.”

The scenes change. The audience moves from the museum’s confines to its outdoor spaces, to be presented with the anxiety that the Albanian people have experienced for a long time. This is also highlighted through the painting of Edison Gjergo, an artist who was a victim of the totalitarian regime in Albania. The anxiety increases as the characters struggle to find a suitable space to hide Gjergo’s painting, which was struck by the iron hand of censorship.

However, dreams, the love for freedom and life, song, and dance culminate in the meeting of Dervish and Musine, victims of regimes on both sides of the border. Characters that inspire life even today.

The play concludes with a powerful message from Musine Kokalari: “The truth is that fear, terror prevail here. But who has the courage to say no, who? No one! Yet, within my heart, dreams prevail. I know that if not me, those who come after me will dance, will take steps just as they want. No ruling system can cast its net over the human need to exercise free will.”

Reruns of the play “The Bug” on May 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 2022, at 8:00 PM

National Museum “House with Leaves”

Production: National Experimental Theater “Kujtim Spahivogli” & Artpolis Center

Author: Shpëtim Selmani

Director: Zana Hoxha

Actors: Lulzim Zeqja, Loredana Gjeçi, Myzafer Zifla, Xhulia Musagalliu, Mikel Markaj, Edlir Gashi, Urim Aliaj, Altea Dulellari

Composer: Liburn Jupolli

Set Design and Costumes: Youliana Voykova – Najman

Assistant Directors: Greta Baci & Kevin Rrapaj

Technical Assistant: Elira A Lluka

Choreographer: Valentina Myteveli

This performance is supported by the Ministry of Culture of Albania, House of Leaves, Office of the President of Kosovo, cfd, and Buçaj.