Margarita Zoi Xhepa (; 2 April 1932 – 3 April 2025) was an Albanian actress. Her career spanned over eight decades with great performances of 140 theatrical plays and 40 roles in

classic A classic is an outstanding example of a particular style; something of Masterpiece, lasting worth or with a timeless quality; of the first or Literary merit, highest quality, class, or rank – something that Exemplification, exemplifies its ...

and modern cinema, had allowed her to be called as one of the great dames of Albanian art and culture.

Early life

Xhepa was of Albanian and Aromanian ethnicity. She was born in Lushnjë, Albania, as Margarita Prifti to Zoi and Marijë Prifti. Her mother died when Margarita was nine years old. From an early age, she loved Albanian poetry, and her teacher encouraged her to join acting classes. Gëzim Libohova, a well known drama teacher at the time at the cultural institute of Lushnjë, was scouting among local schools for an appropriate match for the role of a young Russian girl in a theatre play. As he saw Xhepa, he immediately chose her due to her blonde hair and blue eyes. The play was so successful it premiered also in

Fier Fier (; sq-definite, Fieri, Latin: ''Fierum'') is the seventh most populous city of the Republic of Albania and seat of Fier County and Fier Municipality. It is situated on the bank of Gjanica River in the Myzeqe Plain between the Seman in ...

and

Berat Berat (; sq-definite, Berati) is the List of cities and towns in Albania, ninth most populous city of Albania and the seat of Berat County and Berat Municipality. By air, it is north of Gjirokastër, west of Korçë, south of Tirana, and ea ...

. After finishing elementary school, she applied to the well known Liceu Artistik (School of Arts) in

Tirana Tirana ( , ; ) is the capital and List of cities and towns in Albania, largest city of Albania. It is located in the centre of the country, enclosed by mountains and hills, with Dajti rising to the east and a slight valley to the northwest ov ...

, in the drama department.

Career

Xhepa began her career in

, at the National Theatre (). There, she performed in plays by Anton Chekov,

Friedrich Schiller Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller (, short: ; 10 November 17599 May 1805) was a German playwright, poet, philosopher and historian. Schiller is considered by most Germans to be Germany's most important classical playwright. He was born i ...

Nikolai Gogol Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol; ; (; () was a Russian novelist, short story writer, and playwright of Ukrainian origin. Gogol used the Grotesque#In literature, grotesque in his writings, for example, in his works "The Nose (Gogol short story), ...

, and others. She presented the first Festivali i Këngës in 1962. Considered as one of the greatest ladies of Albanian cinema and theater, she was honored with the title of People's Artist of Albania. She continued to play in recent films such as portraying Firdus in Bolero në vilën e pleqve'',' based on the novel of the same title by Fatos Kongoli.

International success

The actress was awarded the ''Actor Of Europe'' award in the 19th edition of the International Theater Festival. The main award for best acting went to one of the most important actresses in the wider space of

Balkan The Balkans ( , ), corresponding partially with the Balkan Peninsula, is a geographical area in southeastern Europe with various geographical and historical definitions. The region takes its name from the Balkan Mountains that stretch throug ...

theater, for the role of 'Lady Mother' in the play '' Who Brought Doruntina'', directed by Laert Vasili.

Death

Xhepa died on 3 April 2025, one day after her 93rd birthday.

Filmography

# ''Unë Jam Lepuri dhe Breshka nga prapa'' – (1999) # ''4 Nënat e Lepurit'' dhe ''Uznova '95'' – (1995) # ''E dashur Armike'' – (1993) # ''E Zeza e Nënës'' – (1993) # ''E shtuna e 11 Korrikut Xhiro'' – (1992) # ''Gjyshja dhe Motra'' – (1992) # ''Nositi'' – (1990) # '' Uznova '89'' (1989) # ''Këngët Të Zemrës'' – (1987) # ''Vrasje Në Gjueti'' – (1987) # ''Rrethi i Kujtesës'' – (1987) # ''Fjalë pa Fund'' – (1987) # ''Dhe Vjen Një Ditë'' dhe ''Gabimi'' – (1986) # ''Gurët e shtëpisë sime'' – (1985) # ''Militanti'' – (1984) # ''Apasionata'' – (1983) # ''Dora e ngrohtë'' – (1983) # ''Shokët'' – (1982) # ''Dita e parë e emrimit'' – (1981) # ''Me hapin e shokëve'' – (1979) (TV) # ''Dollia e dasmës sime'' – (1978) # ''Gjeneral gramafoni'' – (1978) # ''Koncert në vitin 1936'' (1978) # ''Dimri i fundit'' – (1976) # ''Pylli i lirisë'' – (1976) # ''Tokë e përgjakur'' – (1976) # ''Vitet e para'' – (1965)

References

External links

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Margarita Xhepa
at Kinemaja Shqiptare (in Albanian) 1932 births 2025 deaths Albanian people of Aromanian descent Aromanian actors 20th-century Albanian actresses 21st-century Albanian actresses Albanian film actresses Albanian stage actresses People from Lushnjë People's Artists of Albania Merited Artists of Albania {{Albania-actor-stub