Liza Laska, a distinguished actress and Merited Artist, passed away in Vlora. Born in Vlora in 1926, she showcased her talent from a young age. In Korça, she was a founding actress of the city’s professional theater, where she played leading roles until 1962. That year, she became one of the first actresses to help form the troupe of the Professional Theater of Vlora, where she worked until her retirement. Laska excelled in portraying epic mothers who endured great tragedies and losses for their sons who fell for freedom, as well as suffering and unfortunate women who stoically faced the consequences of a life marked by violence. She also depicted emancipated women and loving mothers and grandmothers. In addition to her main roles, Liza Laska masterfully embodied numerous secondary and episodic characters, capturing life types with remarkable originality. Her performances were characterized by truthfulness, deep realism, emotional complexity, drama, and tragedy, often infused with lyrical and poetic tones that highlighted the delicacy of behavior and the fragility of feelings. She possessed a warm, soft, melodious voice, with a clear sound and intonation reflective of Labe speech. Beyond the theater, Liza Laska performed in 13 different roles in film, including a mother in “Shtigje Lufte” (“War Paths”) (1974), Mara in “Dimri i fundit” (“The Last Winter”) (1976), for which she won the Festival Medallion; the cleaner in “Lulëkuqe mbi mure” (“Poppy on the Wall”) (1976); Beluli‘s mother in “Guna mbi tela” (“Cloak on Wires”) (1977); Evgenia in “Në prag të lirisë” (“On the Verge of Freedom”) (1981); mother in “Vendimi” (“The Decision”) (1984); Aunt Sofia in “Gurët e shtëpisë sime” (“The Stones of My House”) (1985); and Boni’s friend in “Vdekja e burrit” (“Death of the Husband”) (1992), among others. (In the photo: Liza Laska)
Text: Josif Papagjoni
Photo: © https://www.kinetografia-shqiptare-sporti.com/
Graphic processing: AHCF
