A life on stage/ Guri Koço recounts art with "50 pa 1"

2025-05-24 13:06:00, Qyteti im CNA

Guri Koço, an icon of Albanian stage and cinematographic art, continues to remain an unforgettable figure for the Korçë audience and for all art lovers in Albania. With a long and rich career, he has made an extraordinary contribution to theater, bringing to life beloved characters that have left deep traces in memory.

At a special moment in his life and creativity, Guri Koço decided to celebrate a symbolic anniversary with a unique performance, titled “50 pa 1”. This artistic work brought an elegant mix of humor, poetry and personal memories, creating an evening filled with sincere emotions and heartfelt laughter.

A life on stage/ Guri Koço recounts art with "50 pa 1"

In this intimate and warm atmosphere, he was surrounded by his closest friends, colleagues, family, and the loyal audience that has followed and applauded him over the years.

"I've been thinking about it for a year and working on it for three months. Of course, it's a big undertaking, because the point is that all the things that are thought of should come out on stage as if they were just a coincidence, as if this one thing just came to mind. As if a thought came to mind and this should be a continuity without fuss, without arrogance, without selfishness. I've worked, I've raised children with this job, I love theater and I wanted this love to come to the fore. Someone told me last night that there was a lot of poetry, I had thought about that, the whole recital should have a lot of poetry, not just recited poetry but poetics should prevail in its composition. It takes a lot of work, I haven't slept for three months."

Erjon Nexhipi, chairman of the District Council, praised Guri Koço as an extraordinary figure of Albanian art, not only as an actor, but also as a director. He emphasized the importance of institutions in recognizing and honoring such figures, noting that Guri Koço was awarded a certificate of dedication as a sign of gratitude for his valuable contribution.

A life on stage/ Guri Koço recounts art with "50 pa 1"

"Guri Koço is an extraordinary, multifaceted artist, not only as an actor, but also as a director. He has an extraordinary career that he unveiled today at an evening among friends, with his show titled "50 pa 1". An artist who has given to the stage and continues to give. He demands appreciation not only from the public but also from institutions, which is why we, as the County Council, appreciated him with a certificate of dedication."

The actor from Fier, Astrit Çerma, shared his personal experiences with the artist from Korçë, describing him as a rare symbol of the Albanian scene. He expressed his excitement about the performance and considered it a reflection of the artistic level that Guri Koço carries, who best represents the artistic heritage of a golden generation that has left deep traces.

A life on stage/ Guri Koço recounts art with "50 pa 1"

"I am amazed, not only because I love Guri very much and I consider him a friend, but it was a miracle. And this wonderful city can only produce miracles, like the work of Guri and the entire constellation of artists who are no longer alive, but I believe that Guri is the result, the sense of all that experience he has received from the elders and is a monument here in Korça. He is a wonderful actor. This evening he organized was a miracle and I want to thank him for the invitation he made me and I came all the way from Fier. I could not stay without coming for Guri."

Meanwhile, Korça actress Zamira Kita brought back memories of her many collaborations with Koço, highlighting the special chemistry they shared on stage. She shared an unforgettable moment from a play by director Piro Mani, where their performance was praised as an excellent example of collaboration and stage listening between actors. She considered Guri not only a valuable colleague, but also an asset to Albanian theater, describing him with warmth and gratitude.

A life on stage/ Guri Koço recounts art with "50 pa 1"

"It is a pleasure that we gather on this stage today and perform all together for Guri, and he gives us a lot of pleasure. 50 years without 1, so don't forget, about 50 years on stage. I have been lucky enough to have him as a colleague in many shows, I have been very happy to have created with Guri. Outside we fight and someone says they are like Tom & Jerry, but in fact we love each other. I don't know why we have a chemistry in the way we perform and today I remembered a very beautiful compliment that Pavlina Mani once gave us, in a Piro Mani play. In the dialogue we played husband and wife, the dialogue was very touching because the man had died and the woman was talking to him. Pavlina said: "This dialogue should be given at the Academy of Arts as a lesson for students on how actors should listen to each other." We had created a very good relationship in that dialogue, listening to each other, and performing and exciting the audience. I wish Guri all the best, long life, we are lucky to have him "We have, unfortunately, lost many of the actors in our troupe young."

The “50 pa 1” evening was not only a personal celebration for a distinguished artist, but a strong proof that true art lives beyond years and generations. Guri Koço was applauded not only for what he has given on stage, but also for what he represents for Albanian theater, dedication, passion and artistic heritage. Korça once again showed that it is the cradle of culture and that it knows how to honor its most distinguished sons with dignity./ CNA