In Korçë was born Sherif Merdani, singer. From 1953 to 1957, he began participating in artistic activities as a singer at the Pedagogical School in Korçë. He completed his higher education at the University of Tirana from 1963 to 1967, in the history-geography department, where he was also actively involved as a singer. He participated in the 8th Song Festival at Albanian Radio Television with the song “Shokë të pandarë” (“Inseparable friends”) (1969), in the 9th Festival with the song “Mes jush” (“Among You”)(1970), in the 10th Festival, where he won first prize with “Kënga e nënës” (“Mother’s song”) (1971), and in the 11th Festival with the song “Duart e tua” (“Your hands”) (1972). After 1972, he was banned from performing on stage and was sentenced. He was released in 1989. From 1992 onward, he worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He served as a cultural attaché in Italy (1992–1995) and Romania (1998–2001). He participated in various festivals and activities, including the Spring Festival with the song “Se kënduam Let it be” (“Because We Sang Let it Be”) (1992) and the same year in the national festival at Albanian Radio Television with the song “Simfonia e nënës” (“Mother’s symphony”). He passed away in Tirana in 2021. (In the photo: Sherif Merdani)
Text: Josif Papagjoni
Photo: © https://www.balkanweb.com/raporti-sekret-pse-u-arrestua-sherif-merdani-fjalet-qe-e-cuan-ne-burg/
Graphic processing: AHCF
