Miqësia, Danish - Albanian association


»Greetings from Albania« 13-18 April 2004


»Hilsen fra Albanien« 13-18 April 2004 [Dansk udgave - klik]

Miqësia is Albanian
for friendship



Contact:
post@miqesia.dk












Events in Randers, Askov, Frederiksberg, Birkerød, Ebeltoft and Farum

Events in Frederiksberg are conducted by the Albanian Embassy and »Miqësia« / Danish - Albanian Friendship Association. The Events are supported financially by the Center for Cultural Cooperation with Developing Countries (CKU). Frederiksberg Commune has made their premises available.

The other events are conducted by the Albanian Embassy in cooperation with, respectively, Randers Commune, Vejen Commune, Askov Højskole, The European Film College and Birkerød Gymnasium and HF.




RANDERS, TUESDAY 13th. APRIL 2004


16.00: Exhibit »Mother Teresa« opens with Mayor Michael Astrup, Randers, taking part.





16.30: Fashion show by fashion designer Mirela Nurce.

17.00: Concert by »Tirana Cafe Trio«. The trio is all-embracing. Its repertoire draws on folk music and from classical and modern music. The group comprises the Qerimi family: father Ethem (violin) and sons Fatos (clarinet) and Bruno (keyboards). Moreover, on this occasion the group will present a unique joint performance with soprano Marjana Leka.

The program with take place at »Værket«, Mariagervej 6 in Randers.




ASKOV, TUESDAY 13th. APRIL 2004


16.30: Opening Opening of ALBANIAN DAY by mayor Regnar Busk, Vejen.


   

Adem Rreli


An Albanian photography exhibit (A Tourist in Albania) by Studio Rreli will be shown. The Danish photographer Joachim Ladefoged will also exhibit.

At the market square there will be an introduction, tasting and sale of Albanian products such as wine, raki, cognac, honey, etc.





Estela Dashi (photo above) from the Center for Promotion of Investment in Albania and Anila Vendresha from Oxfam foundation will speak (photo below). In addition, an Albanian film will be shown.





18.00: Albanian dinner in the Cafeteria. The dinner will be prepared by Tatjana Piro. Reservations are required (and should be directed to Askov Højskole). Price 60 kr.

19.30: A talk about Albania and the experiences in connection with »java daneze«, Danish Week in Albania in May 1991 - and about Albania today, by Annette and Henning Dochweiler, director of Askov Højskole and former head of the Danish Culture Institute in Vienna (1989-98), as well as Qemal Minxhozi, the Head of the Albanian Embassy in Copenhagen.

20.30: Concert by »Tirana Cafe Trio« giver koncert. The trio is all-embracing. Its repertoire draws on folk music and from classical and modern music. The group comprises the Qerimi family: father Ethem (violin) and sons Fatos (clarinet) and Bruno (keyboards). Moreover, on this occasion the group will present a unique joint performance with soprano Marjana Leka.

The event is public and all are welcome. No entry fee.

The program will take place at Askov Højskole Maltevej 1, Askov, 6600 Vejen.




FREDERIKSBERG, WEDNESDAY 14th. APRIL




Fatos Qerimi. [Click on the photo, if you want a larger format]


13.30: Professor Fatos Qerimi, who ordinarily teaches at the Music Faculty of the Albanian Academy of Arts, will give a lecture at Copenhagen Music School.


Events at Kedelhallen, Nyelandsvej 75 A, 2000 Frederiksberg:


Slideshow from Wednesday 14th April - Thursday 15th April:

http://miqesia.dk/Kedelhallenindex.htm [no captions]

http://miqesia.dk/Kedelhallenhtml/0.htm [captions; the slideshow is to be operated manually]


14.30: Opening of exhibit »Albania as a tourist destination«.




Bujar Kapexhiu


It will be possible to see the artwork by various artists and caricatures by Bujar Kapexhiu; as well as Albanian books, food products and crafts. Part of the exhibition is arranged by the organization Oxfam.

The artists are Rudina Proda - who has previously exhibited in Denmark - and Genc Permeti.


   

[Click on the photos, if you want a larger format]


Oxfam will exhibit wine, honey, medicinal herbs and tea, fruit preserves, cheese and crafts.


15.00: Panel discussion, where the subject will be »Danish-Albanian Relations«. The panel participants have been asked to analyse:
- Why has Denmark provided aid to Albania?
- Which types of aid have been provided?
- What are the results?
- How can the connections be strengthened in the future?
The discussion will include, among other topics, the prospects for investment in Albania.

The participants will be representatives from the public sector and private business.




H.H. Brydensholt


The panel will be moderated by former high court judge H.H. Brydensholt, who is Albania's honorary consul in Copenhagen and chairman of the Danish-Albanian association »Miqësia« (friendship).

The panel includes, from the Albanian side, Estela Dashi, director for the Office for Promotion of Foreign Investment, and Anila Vendresha, director of the Oxfam organization's branch in Albania.

The panel further includes Danes who have been involved in cooperation with Albania:
Finn Andersen, Det Danske Kulturinstitut
Jan Axlev, Københavns Brandvæsen
Carl Eltorp, Bendix Transport A/S, Nødhjælp
Svend Juul Jørgensen, Bispebjerg Hospital
Søren Knudsen, formerly at Den Danske Ambassade, Tirana
Mads Lund, Specialarbejderforbundet
Mogens Mogensen, Fremadrejser
Jens Olsen, Ombudsmandsinstitutionen
Jørn Sørensen, Holbæk Kommune


17.00: Albanian dinner and tastings of Albanian beverage products delivered and presented by Albanian wine producers. The dinner will be prepared by Tatjana Piro.

If you wish to attend, you should send an email to the Albanian Embassy [click on the left; write name, address and telephone number - and how many people the reservation is for].




[Click on the poster, if you want a larger format]


18.00: The Albanian film »Letters in the Wind« by Edmond Budina will be shown. See below on this page. The film is spoken in Albanian with English subtitles.




FREDERIKSBERG, THURSDAY 15th. APRIL




Muharrem Cobo from the COBO WINEA


11.00: Albanian wine will be presented at Byggeriets Hus at Godthåbsvej 33, 2000 Frederiksberg.


Events at Kedelhallen, Nyelandsvej 75 A, 2000 Frederikberg:

12.00: Exhibition continues.

19.00: »Tirana Cafe Trio« will give a concert for the diplomatic corps and invited guests. There is a number of seats available.


Clip from the concert (wmv-file, 30 sec.).


            


The trio is all-embracing. Its repertoire draws on folk music and from classical and modern music. The group comprises the Qerimi family: father Ethem (violin) and sons Fatos (clarinet) and Bruno (keyboards). Moreover, on this occasion the group will present a unique joint performance with soprano Marjana Leka.

20.15: Specially invited guests will take part in a reception after the concert.




BIRKERØD, THURSDAY 15th. APRIL


10.00: »A short description of Albania«

10.15: The film »Albania as a tourist country« will be shown.





10.30: Fashion show by fashion designer Mirela Nurce.

The program will take place at Birkerød Gymnasium HF Søndervangen 56, 3460 Birkerød.




EBELTOFT, THURSDAY 15th. APRIL


17.00: Exhibition of »Albanian caricatures« by Bujar Kapexhiu opens.

18.45: Discussion about cinematography in Albania.

19.15: The Albanian film »Letters in the Wind« by Edmond Budina will be shown. See below on this page. The film is spoken in Albanian with English subtitles.

The program will take place at the European Film College, Carl Th. Dreyersvej 1, 8400 Ebeltoft. Internetaddress: http://www.efc.dk/.




FARUM, FRIDAY 16th THROUGH SUNDAY 18th APRIL


Youth tennis tournament, where 10 members of the Tirana Tennis Club will be among the participants.




Letters in the Wind / Lettere al Vento.





A Lucky Red release of an Andrea Occhipinti presentation of an ASP production, in association with Erafilm (Tirana). Produced by Donatella Palermo.

Directed, written by Edmond Budina.

Niko Gjini - Edmond Budina
Nina Gjini - Yllka Mujo
Goni Doci - Bujar Asqeriu
Lela Doci - Violeta Trebicka Banushi
Goni's Friend - Ermela Teli
Roberto - Lulzim Zeqja
Fatmir - Naun Shundi
Eda Gjini - Adele Budina
Caku - Gerti Ferra
Zarce - Blendi Petriti
Man Playing Pipe/Keli - Vitmar Basha
Arianna - Eriona Kakeli
Dini - Lirjon Mille


By JAY WEISSBERG

First features rarely display talents as considerable as multihyphenate Edmond Budina's in "Letters in the Wind." A moving tale of the struggle to maintain dignity in a world of crumbling moral borders, story depicts an Albania unsure how to define its future and uncertain how to reconcile its past. Showing a mastery of the medium and an eye for haunting compositions, director-writer-actor Budina enriches his narrative with dreamlike sequences of enormous emotional resonance. The picture deserves arthouse exposure.

Niko (Budina) is an unemployed professor and former Party secretary in contemporary Albania, whose family just makes ends meet, thanks to money sent from Italy by his son Keli (Vitmar Basha). But there's been no word from Keli recently, except one letter brought by a friend that gets whipped away by a gust of wind before Niko can read it. Strange rumors are also swirling that Keli is involved in some nasty business in Italy.

With no private students and the money from Keli inexplicably dried up, Niko is reduced to peddling bananas. For a proud man of the intelligentsia, this latest setback produces a shock compounded by the intrusion of a small-time shakedown artist employed by a former friend, Goni Doci (Bujar Asqeriu). Niko's fall is paralleled by Goni's rise: The vacuum of authority caused by the collapse of Communism enables a corrupt man to replace an honest one.

Niko's daughter, Eda (Adele Budina, the director's own daughter, in her screen debut)is kidnapped from school by vicious thugs who would force her into prostitution, but is mysteriously released when the gang leader learns she is Keli's sister. Niko cannot understand how the gentle son he knew could now be feared by violent hoodlums, and decides to make the journey to Italy himself to learn the truth.

Budina's humanity shines through in every sequence, capturing the bewilderment of a man whose soul has been assaulted by the currents of history. The use of mesmerizing dream sequences gives the picture a Fellini-esque touch, as does Budina's recurring use of motifs, especially the elements of air, fire and water.

A strong cast of unknowns (outside of Albania) is led by Budina's own moving performance as the father, struggling to hold on to his compassion and respect. (The director was a well-known legitimate director and actor in his native land before emigrating to Italy.)

Low budget doesn't impede tech aspects, and Fatos Qerimi's evocative music is beautifully wedded to image and mood.

Camera (Fujicolor), Tommaso Borgstrom; editor, Fiorella Giovanelli; music, Fatos Qerimi; production designer, Antonio Farina; costume designer, Grazia Colombini; sound (Dolby), Gianluca Costamagna; assistant director, Enzo di Terlizzi; casting, Jorgelina de Petris. Reviewed at Sala AGIS, Rome, June 3, 2003. (In Taormina Film Festival -- World Cinema.) Running time: 84 MIN.




»Tirana Cafe Trio« / »Tarafi Qerimaj«




[Click on the photo, if you want a larger format]


Ethem Qerimi is a highly experienced violinist, who has performed for over 30 years. His eldest son - Fatos - who plays the clarinet, is a professor at the Music Faculty of the Albanian Academy of Arts, the youngest son - Bruno - who plays keyboards, is also a composer. Fatos Qerimi has also composed the score for the film "Letters in the Wind" (see above).

The trio plays both traditional Albanian music and classical music and has performed in France, Germany, Italy, Greece, Spain and Sweden. The trio has won several prizes.

In Denmark, the trio will play modern folk music from Albania and the rest of the Balkans.


Marjana Leka



[Click on the photo, if you want a larger format]


Marjana Leka will sing classical songs and traditional Albanian songs while in Denmark.

Marjana Leka has sung in Austria, Italy, Spain and France. Recently she sang the role of Violetta in Verdi's »La Traviata« in Tirana.


Bujar Kapexhiu




- Dean of the Academy of the Fine Arts in Tirana.

- Actor with a long career in theater and cinematography.

- Director in the "Burlesque Theater".

- Director of different films.

- Master in caricature.

- Participant in many Film Festivals.


Mirela Nurce




- Fashion designer in Tirana.

- From 1993 annually she has designed the costumes in fashion shows in Tirana.

- She was the costume designer for two theater plays in Tirana in 1999 and 2002.


Adem Rreli




- The founder of the first art gallery & studio in Albania in 1991.

- The artistic director of the studio gallery "Rreli".

- The exclusive representative of "Kodak Express" in Albania.

- Master in the digital photography.

- Organized in cooperation with Art Company "Linda Association" the competition "Miss Europa -1996" in Tirana.

- Organizer in cooperation with "Jon Music" of "Miss Globi - 1999" in Tirana

- Cooperating with Photographic art studio "Berisha" in New York.

- Cooperating with the Albanian Public Television in the cultural programs.



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