Parashqevi Simaku

Parashqevi Simaku (born 1 September 1966) is an Albanian-born American singer renowned for her artistic career during the 1980s and her significant impact on Albanian musical culture. She achieved the peak of her career on the national stage with her distinctive voice, earning numerous awards and delivering performances that remain unforgettable to this day. During the final years of the Communist regime in Albania, Simaku emerged as a symbol of hope and freedom, cementing her status as one of the most influential artists of her era.

Career

Simaku participated in Festivali i Këngës at RTSH in the years 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, and 1990. Parashqevi also performed in many festivals and Spring Concerts. In 1985 (the 24th Festivali i Këngës at RTSH), she won first place with the song “Në moshën e rinisë” (“In the Age of Youth”). In 1988, she won first prize again at the 27th Festivali i Këngës at RTSH with the song “E duam lumturinë” (“We Want Happiness”). The last time she performed in Albania was in 1996, at the 35th Festivali i Këngës at RTSH, where she was a special guest.

After 1991, she left Albania and moved to the United States, where she continued her music career and released a new album. There, she also collaborated professionally with her former husband, Robert Nolfe, an American Jewish musician who had ties to Sony Music. In 2006 she signed a contract with Sony and BMG for her Albanian-language CD entitled ''Echoes from Iliria'' () which she co-produced with Nolfe. The album blended traditional Albanian folk with contemporary influences.

In the US, Simaku has also been known to prefer variations of her name, including "Via Simaku," (she was also called Via "Paravia," or simply "Simaku," instead of her full given name, Parashqevi.

Legacy and cultural impact

In March 1989, Parashqevi Simaku became an unexpected symbol of resistance during a spontaneous event at Qyteti i Studentëve (Student City) in Tirana, where she used to reside at the time. Students from the Higher Institute of Arts began singing love songs after the airing of the television show ''Muzika për të gjithë (Music for everyone)''. This act quickly escalated as others joined, chanting slogans like “Art is the world” and “Down with fascism,” alongside cries of “Viva Parashqevi, Viva.” Some students even burned letters and waved lights from balconies, creating a rare moment of defiance against the oppressive communist regime. This event occurred during a period of broader political tension and the beginning of the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe.

The incident was documented in a report (AIDSSH Archival Fund, File no. 256, 1989), declassified May 7, 2020, by the State Security (Sigurimi), which described it as an unruly act by the youth, challenging the tightly controlled educational and cultural environment. Despite being labeled as “naive” by the authorities, the event demonstrated the power of art and Parashqevi’s influence as a cultural figure.

Simaku’s artistic presence and public persona resonated deeply with Albanian youth, becoming a source of hope and freedom during a time of fear and censorship. The chants in her honor reflected not only admiration for her work but also a broader desire for change and liberation. Parashqevi, with her distinctive voice and personality, became an inspiration for Albanian youth during a time of significant political transformation in Albania. Through her art and public image, Parashqevi Simaku became a symbol of aspiration for freedom and justice.

Simaku's ex-husband, Robert Nolfe was reportedly granted custody of their son through court proceedings during their divorce. In the years after, Simaku faced personal struggles and was eventually discovered living in homelessness in December 2024. A video from WABC 7 News captured her collecting aid packages in the streets of New York, where her name was misspelled as "Simaku Nohfe".

Following the video's circulation, Albanian-American businessman Elton Ilirjani intervened to assist Simaku. He facilitated her admission to a psychiatric hospital in New York, where she underwent a four-week treatment program. By February 2025, Simaku had been discharged, with Ilirjani sharing updates on her improved condition.

In early 2025, Simaku reunited with her son, Luke Nolfe, after years of separation. The emotional meeting was facilitated by Elton Ilirjani and marked a significant step in Simaku's personal recovery.

Following her recovery, Simaku has resumed her musical activities and song like ''Dashuria'', releasing new songs and reconnecting with her audience.

Discography

Traditional folk songs

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Pop songs

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''Echoes from Iliria'' (2006)

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Awards

Festivali i Këngës

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, , 1982
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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Simaku, Parashqevi
1966 births
Living people
20th-century Albanian women singers
Festivali i Këngës winners