Besim Zekthi, dancer, choreographer, Merited Artist, passed away in Tirana. He was born in Tirana in 1935. He completed the “Jordan Misja” Artistic High School and was ranked among the first dancers of the Philharmonic. His talent shone as a soloist in the “Dance of swords” from the ballet “Gajane” by A. Khachaturiani (1954). With the establishment of the State Ensemble of Folk Songs and Dances, he became a soloist of the dance group. In the 60s of the 20th century, he showed outstanding individuality in the dances: “Dance of the Albanians”, “Dance of the Chestnuts”, etc., in which, as in many others, he danced full of charm and temperament. His virtuoso play was also shown in other major dances: “Albania has a big party”, as well as in the choreographic ballad “Freedom Fighters”, where he sculpted the general figure of the mountain warrior with his height and penetrating gaze. Besim Zekthi is the author of dozens of choreographic creations, among which the “Librazhdi Dance”, winner of the first prize in the May Concerts (1971), stands out. He received the Republic Award of the second degree; he was decorated with the “Grand Master” Order and the “Honour of the Nation” title. (In the photo: Besim Zekthi)
Text: Albanian encyclopedic dictionary – Vol. 3 , Academy of Sciences of Albania, “Kristalina-KH”, Tirana, 2009, page 2984.
Photo: © https://aktoretshqiptare.info/
Graphic processing: AHCF
