Arta Muçaj

Arta Muçaj is an ethnic Albanian actress from the Republic of Kosovo. She has starred in the Albanian TV series "Njerëz dhe fate" (People and Destinies), "Vjeshta e trëndafilave" (The Autumn of Roses) etc.

"Arta Muçaj" was born on December 24, 1974, in the city of Prizren, The Republic of Kosovo.

Arta studied Drama in “The Academy of Beauty Arts” in Tirana, Albania, where she received a Diploma in professional acting in 1997. Since then Arta has been involved in many projects initiated and implemented by The National Theatre of Tirana, the National Theatre of Kosovo (where she is employed as actress), the Theatre of Nationalities in the Republic of Macedonia, the Intercult 9a production and education unit based in Stockholm, Sweden), the National Television of Albania and private production companies.

Arta performed in-country, regionally and internationally in well-known theatre festivals in Europe and elsewhere. She started her career with plays in National Theatre in Tirana, Albania such as:
*"Gënjeshtari" (Liar) ,K.Goldon, Directed by: Ervin Çuli, Part: Rosaura;
*"Vdekja e Dantonit" (Danton’s death) ,G.Byhner, Directed by: Vladimir Milcin, Part: Lysi; “Quo Vadis”
*"S.Fanko", Directed by: Serafin Fanko, Part: Bride;
*"Ditë vere" (Summer Day), S.Mrozhek, Directed by: Bojken Lako, Part: Dama (Lady) and
*"Kujdes kafshon" (Watch out it bites) , A. Bern, Directed by: Kico Londo, Part: Kate.

In Sweden with Intercult, Arta was engaged in two projects/plays: "Tomorrow Paradise" and "Hotel Europa". "Tomorrow Paradise" written by Teki Dervishi, Directed by: Dritëro Kasapi, Part: Bride and Producer: Kris Torch, was prepared in Stockholm, Sweden, in co-operation with Swedish Art House Intercult, director: Kris Torch and three Theatres: Tirana National Theatre, Priština National Theatre and Skopje Theatre. This play was performed in London during summer 2001, in Summer Festival "East Goes West", Notting Hill Gate at the "Gate Theatre". In February 2002 the producer organized a tour in Sweden where it was performed eight times.

The play "Hotel Europa" produced by Kris Torch, directed by seven directors from Balkan and Baltic countries and played by actors from these countries was prepared in Vienna, Austria where the premiere was performed. This play was performed in these Theatre Festivals:
*Winer Festwochen,
*Bonner Biennale 2000,
*Festival D’Avignon,
*Intercult and
*Bologna 2000.

From The Theatre of Nationalities of Macedonia Arta was involved in two projects, one being “Babai” (Father) by Strindberg Directed by: Slobodan Unkovski and her part was Laura. This play is a production of CTC-Skopje-Macedonia. This project was performed in The summer Ohrid Festival, Macedonia; The festival of Budva, Montenegro; National Theatre Festival Macedonia where she received an award for Best Leading Role Actress; International Theatre Festival of Kosovo also awarded with Best Leading Role Actress; International Theatre Festival in Istanbul; Cultural Days of Macedonia held in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia; International Theatre Festival in Cairo and International Theatre Festival in Butrint, Albania. And the second project is “Dervish dhe Vdekja(Dervish And Death) written by M.Selimovic, directed by: Vladimir Milcin, Part: The wife of Kadi and produced by Theatre of Nationalities-Skopje-Macedonia.

Arta as an employed actress with National Theatre of Kosovo she was and still is engaged with many projects. Worth mentioning are
*“Fluturimi mbi folen e qyqes” ("One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest") of D. Vaserman, Directed by: Ilir Bokshi, Part: Nurse Rached.
*“Faust III” of P. Valeri, Directed by: Jeton Budima, Part: Mefisto. “Vdekja dhe vasha” ("Death and the Maiden") by A.Dorfman, Directed by: Rikard Ljarja, Part: Paulina.
*“Kutia e Zeze” ("Black Box") by Sabri Hamiti, directed by Agim Sopi, Part: Isabela.
*“Roberto Xuko” of B. Marie Koltez, Directed by: Vladimir Milcin, Part: Lady of the Park.
*“Shtepia e Bernarda Albes” ("The House of Bernarda Alba") by Federico Garcia Lorca, Directed by: Bekim Lumi, Part: Angustia.
*Project of the private theatre in Priština “Teatri i Babes” (Father’s Theatre) Arta has been given a part of Ratka in the play “Guximi per te vrare” (Courage to Kill) of Lars Noren, directed by Arta Kallaba.

Arta is also dedicated to cinematography and passionately is seeking to give her contribution in order to enrich this sphere which is currently under developmental phase in Kosovo. So far she played in “Vjeshta e Trendafilave” (Autumn of Roses) of Veli Karahoda and directed by Agim Sopi, Part: Tina. Her second project is the film “Anatema” written and directed by Agim Sopi, Arta’s part is Doresa.

Her contribution expanded in TV serial “Njerez dhe Fate” (People and Destinies) produced by the National Television of Albania. Directed by Ylli Pepo, Written by Ruzhdi Pulaha, part Didi. This is one of the most famous serial in Albanian speaking territories.

Arta currently employed as actress in The National Theatre of Kosovo she is also an artistic adviser in the Artistic Council of this respective theatre. Arta’s contribution to the overall culture development in the region is enormous and her dedication is very much appreciated and respected throughout Balkans.

References and notes