Violeta Manushi (6 March 1926 – 26 July 2007) was an Albanian actress, honored with the

People's Artist of Albania The People's Artist () was an honorary title for outstanding art performers of the People's Socialist Republic of Albania, whose merits were exceptional in the sphere of development of the performing arts (theatre, music, Film, cinema and art). I ...

. She was best known in Albania for her portrayal of Teto Ollga (Auntie Ollga), a symbolic character which followed her in all of her career.

Career

Born in

Moscopole Moscopole or Voskopoja (; , with several other variants; ) is a village in Korçë County in southeastern Albania. During the 18th century, it was the cultural and commercial center of the Aromanians. At its peak, in the mid 18th century, it h ...

, Manushi studied at the

Qemal Stafa High School The Qemal Stafa High School is a high school located in Tirana, Albania. Founded in 1925 by Prime Minister Ahmet Zogu as the ''Lyceum of Tirana'', it is notable for its alumni, seventy-five of whom died in World War II, and fourteen of whom were ...

, 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 ...

, Albania. She has played over 100 roles in the theater and 16 in cinema. In May 2004, she successfully returned to the stage of the National Theater with the tragicomedy 'The Shelter of the Forgotten.' Manushi never married or had any children. She died at the age of 81 at her home in Tirana, following a brief illness, on 26 July 2007.

Early life

A former typist, at only 20 years old, she enrolled in the first drama school opened near the State Theater (now National Theater) in 1946. She immediately stood out for her authenticity, spontaneity, and natural talent, as well as her strong discipline and willpower. In the play "Hours of the Kremlin" (1957), she played three roles simultaneously, setting an original record that still stands. She later excelled in leading roles in the comedies 'The Merry Wives of Windsor' (1959) and 'The Morality of Mrs. Dulska' (1958). From national drama, she successfully portrayed Olimbia in 'The Carnivals of Korçë' (1964), Zyhra in 'The Second Face' (1968), Nica in ' The General of the Dead Army' (1971), Ollga in 'The Lady from the City' (1975), and Aunt Rita in 'Palace 176' (1985), completely transforming herself into each character. She also appeared in 16 films, from Tana''' (1958) to 'The Small Encirclement' (1986). For her role as Auntie Ollga in 'The Lady from the City', she won the Film Festival Medallion in 1977.

Filmography

*''Trishtimi i zonjës Shnajder'' (2008) (released posthumously) *''Eja!'' (1987) *''Rrethimi i vogël'' (1986) *''Pallati 176'' (1985) *''Taulanti kërkon një motër'' (1984) *''Një vonesë e vogël'' (1983) *''Përtej mureve të gurta'' (1981) *''Një shoqe nga fshati'' (1980) *''Zemrat që nuk plaken'' (1977) *'' Zonja nga qyteti'' (1976) *''Gjenerali i ushtrisë së vdekur'' (1975) *''Mimoza llastica'' (1973) *''Gjurma'' (1970) *''Plagë të vjetra'' (1969) *''Përse bie kjo daulle'' (1969) *''Vitet e para'' (1965) *'' Debatik'' (1961) *'' Tana'' (1958)

Theatrical plays

*''Titanic Waltz'' *''Qypi me flori'' *''Epopeja e Ballit Kombëtar'' *''Dom Gjoni'' *''Pas vdekjes'' *''Halili dhe Hajria'' *''Tartufi'' *''Mikroborgjezët'' *''Rrënjët e thella'' *''Orët e Kremlinit'' *''Gjenerali i ushtrisë së vdekur'' *''Morali i zonjës Dulska'' *''Arturo Ui'' *''Lumi i vdekur'' *''Karnavalet e Korçës'' *''Zonja nga qyteti'' *''14 vjeç dhëndër'' *''Epoka para gjyqit'' *''Borgjezi fisnik'' *''Fytyra e dytë'' *''Pallati 176'' *''Kati i gjashtë''

References

1926 births 2007 deaths Albanian film actresses Albanian stage actresses People's Artists of Albania People from Moscopole Qemal Stafa High School alumni 20th-century Albanian actresses {{Albania-actor-stub