Agron Aliaj, In memoriam

TIRANA, Oct. 31 – Choreographer Agron Aliaj who tragically died after a car accident earlier this year was commemorated with an “In memoriam” gala evening at the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet where his soloist students performed some of his part to honour the maestro on his 79th birthday. Isida Mollaymeri and Ledia Sulaj performed some of the parts choreographed by maestro Aliaj this week preserving their professor’s detailed moves in an emotional performance.
The death of Agron Aliaj last May was a tragic loss for the Albanian ballet. Agron Aliaj, one of the founders of Albanian ballet and greatest choreographer passed away at the age of 79 after a road accident earlier March. Maestro Aliaj was hit by a car just after walking out of the Opera House where he working to stage an Albanian folklore theatrical piece.
Graduated in choreography in Moscow in 1956, Agron Aliaj returned to Albania to initially work as a soloist before fully dedicating his career to choreography since the 70s.
“The loss of Agron Aliaj for the Albanian performing arts and the National Theatre is an irrecoverable loss, the end of a basic cycle of Albanian culture,” said Zhani Ciko, the director of the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet.
Some of Albania’s best internationally renowned ballet dancers including Ilir Kerni, Kledi Kadiu, Enada Hoxha were his students and favourite performers in the works he staged.