Ruzhdi Pulaha, a distinguished writer, playwright, and screenwriter, was born in Korça. He completed his high school education in his hometown in 1960 and graduated from the Faculty of History and Philology in 1964. Pulaha began his career as an editor and later became the head of the culture editorial office at Radio Tirana. However, in 1975, due to “liberal attitudes” expressed in his novel Rruga Budi 723 (“Budi Street 723”) and the comedy Zonja nga Qyteti (“Lady from the City”), which the People’s Theater declined to stage, he moved to Pogradec. There, he worked as a teacher and librettist for the city’s variety show. The success of Zonja nga Qyteti, staged by the professional theater troupe of Korça, led to Pulaha’s return to Tirana in 1979, where he was appointed as a dramatist at the People’s Theater (now the National Theatre). During his time there, he created 15 successful dramas and comedies. From 1992 to 1996, he served as a deputy in the People’s Assembly, chairing the Parliamentary Committee on Culture. In December 1999, Pulaha became the editor for the BBC and Radio Tirana’s joint program, working on the radio-novelas Rruga me Pisha (“The Pine Road”). Since 1995, Pulaha has focused on collaborations with the National Theater and “Andon Zako Çajupi” of Korça, where over 20 of his dramas and comedies have been staged, many of which have been adapted into teledramas. His civic courage and non-conformist approach have made him a notable figure in Albanian dramaturgy and film, known for exploring new paths in these fields. (In the photo: Ruzhdi Pulaha)
Text: Viktor Gjika
Photo: © https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10157043514367121&set=pcb.10157043514577121
Graphic processing: AHCF
